Advice needed

[Neilg7777]

Hi please can you look at the pics and tell me if you think a newbe who has never welded before could carry out the work with practise of course. It looks like the only option i have is to do it my self as i cant get a mobile welder for love or money. Its a ford transit and I have bought new spring hangers.

Thanks Neil

 

[cumbriasteve]

Yes of course you could but you hit the nail on the head...PRACTICE

Start on some 2mm sheet, perhaps got cheaply at the scrappy's, put your attempts in pictures on here for advice, then practice on some thinner stuff.

Once you are happy and the feedback from the forum is good..go for it.

It will take time and no way should you attempt spring hangers until you are competent but most people started the same as you and for me the learning curve would be fun, probably leading to other projects in the future.

What machine have you got? or getting, if not already got one think carefully what you buy and read up on the 'good and bad'

Good luck

 

[Neilg7777]

Thanks not got a machine yet thought i had someone to do it for me but looks like its a no go. I have done a lot of searching this site with help from members. I am going to look for a gas mig which goes from 130ish down to 20 - 30 amps so hopefully this should cover a range of tasks.
Thanks Neil

 

[cumbriasteve]

I would suggest a Clarke 150, just gives you that bit of extra power and you should always buy a bit bigger than you think you need, I guarantee you won't regret it.

Been some good 2nd hand lately on Ebay, you must however get the seller to show you it working and it should work well, any daft excuses and walk away.

Also I would avoid a SIP, some can get away with them but have read too many bad reports, it was my first MIG and was not impressed at all.

 

[Neilg7777]

Just seen them for about £210 but need to set it up for gas how much would that cost to get the kit
Thanks Neil

 

[octo0072000]

mig

talk to weldquip link to his site at top of page

he normally very helpful gas kit with a full size regulator and pipe to fit about £40 then you need a bottle co2 works OK argoshield lite is better
this one is on offer at the mo i would go with the at least a 140 upwards

the link one goes down to 30 amps not many go lower other than the portomig but that's £600 ish
mig the amp on the Clarke are not the same as the no's this one is a 30amps to 150amps

http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm

reg
http://www.weldequip.com/co2-conversion-kit.htm

gas list

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=9334

hopes this helps have fun loads of videos on you tube see the tutorials on here and practice practice practice before going near the van

 

[troppo]

Another victim of the dreaded transit rot. Listen to the other guys they have given some great advice. What model transit is it? Got a 78 mkII myself, glad to see someone saving one of the old girls. I`m a member of a couple of transit forums if you want the links, might be easier to find a few parts if you need them.
Cheers
Troppo

 

[Neilg7777]

Thanks for the replys, its a transit mk 5 i have bought new spring hangers so my plan would be to cut off the hangers, clean the area and weld the new spring hangers on and then sheet metal over the hole in the floor. God that sounds not to bad "gulp". I am a member on transit net and getting lots of help about the van on there. Thanks all for the advice on the welder it looks like i am going to go for the clarke 150 just need to find a good deal now

Saying that the clarke 160 looks ok with the gas kit already,
Neil

 

[octo0072000]

Just seen them for about £210 but need to set it up for gas how much would that cost to get the kit
Thanks Neil

Neil are you meaning this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-CLARK...ps=63&clkid=1613097030200073759&_qi=RTM742988

if you are it's the old model newer one has rotary power switch the fleybay one has push buttons check what warranty's on it first also hes vat registered but no mention of weather it's plus vat or not
talk to weld quip on the phone he will always try to match deals if possible also say's will weld up to 6 mm more like 4mm 6mm with V prep i would think also say need 30 amp supply it will run on 13amp plug most people do might trip out on top setting a cooker socket is 45amp i think also if using on extension lead you need at least 16 amp cable caravan hook up leads are 16amp with correct blue plugs
have fun

this is currant Clarke model in diy range or a red one same price

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/150te-turbo-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders

 

[Neilg7777]

Yes i am sure it had the dial and not switches but thats good to no about the switches.
Many thanks Neil

 

[cumbriasteve]

if you find a local independant and there are many..just takes some finding at times.

Co2 should be about £15 a year for bottle rent and £12 a refill.

Argon /Co2 mix perhaps £30 a year rent and £30 a refill, thats what I pay for a full size bottle, would last ages for occasional use.

The regulators are different, so if buying from Weldequip which in my opinion is a good seller, know which gas you are using first and then tell him..you will get the correct reg with the set.

 

[Neilg7777]

Well been around the shops today and was told i can not run the clarke 151 off mains power as it is 20amp is that correct
Thanks Neil

 

[Spot the welders dog]

No.

13 amp - no long skinny extension leads on full wack...you'll be fine

 

[keith19]

Spot is bang on, 13 Amp for the 151 is fine. Just now and then it will blow a fuse in the plug, sometimes if you're on 140-150 amps doing longish runs, or if you're using 130+ amps on the end of a long skinny lead, as warned already
I have had one fuse blow on my 151 at top wack in 7 months, but I was down the garden on an extension lead...

If you have to use an extension lead longer than about 10 metres at top power, get some 2.5 mm blue arctic cable, it will just fit into a 13A plug, never gets warm, and has slightly less volt drop than the usual 1.6 mm extension leads.

 

[gavuk]

Good advice so far about 13amp power,......clarke 150 is a good budget welder,I pay £16 a refill with no rental on co2 ,within 30miles of you ...I'm just finishing a mk5 myself.replaced the rear half of the floor complete(panel) for £75,there are a few members local who would be willing to give you some pointers to get you started, myself included,give it a go before you buy ....Nothing has come up in trade-it recently ,remember you will need gas kit,gas ,welding helmet ,googles ,gloves ,4-5" grinder as well !

 

[Neilg7777]

Thanks I am buying new so should be no problems. After looking today I am tempted with the 130. Where do you get the gas from dont mind traveling guess i would have to get a bottle first. Got a angle grinder need to get gloves, full helmet and kit for a big bottle. what do you guys use to practice on i can get a garage door if any good
Thanks Neil

 

[brightspark]

Thanks I am buying new so should be no problems. After looking today I am tempted with the 130. Where do you get the gas from dont mind traveling guess i would have to get a bottle first. Got a angle grinder need to get gloves, full helmet and kit for a big bottle. what do you guys use to practice on i can get a garage door if any good
Thanks Neil

garage doors are normaly galvanised not good

 

[Neilg7777]

Got myself a Clarke 151 so let the practice begin Just bought a new back door for the transit so can use the old one to practice on. It is set up for gasless at the moment so going to use it as it is just to get a feel for the machine. I am picking up a co2 pub bottle this week (empty) so will change over for more practice next week. Plan is to be confident by the 24th August as i have got 5 days off so could start the work. Any ideas where I could get the bottle filled in the swindon area and do you think I am rushing the practice.
Thanks Neil

 

[keith19]

Hi Neil, Congrats on getting a good machine
Good idea to get some practice in, even using gasless you can still get a feel for the torch, find the best and most comfortable way to hold it, and do a few tacks on that tranny door.

Look up all the threads on the 151 on here, you'll find them very useful. Especially with regard to the settings. If yours is like mine it will have the three white switches, and they can get a bit confusing, as apparently the Clarke manual gives the wrong settings.

Somebody on here checked out the correct settings by measuring the output voltage at different settings, These are given in one of the posts, and since using these amended settings I've blown a lot less holes! I printed out these settings and laminated them to carry around until it became second nature to set the machine without looking at them. Very useful when you're starting.

The gasless is likely to be a bit fierce used on that door, so just do a line of very short tacks, till you get used to it. Remember it's easier to use the torch by pulling it along away from the weld when using gasless, from your left to your right if you are right-handed. Gas wire is generally moved the opposite way, 'pushing' the weld from right to left. Get that old door real cleaned up, both sides where you are welding. Best of Luck!

 

[Neilg7777]

Thanks for the tips I got hold of some 2mm today so going todo my first gasless welds tomorow . Some people say i will struggle with co2 to get good welds, just when you think you sorted it you start douting things problem is I dont want to get a contract with boc etc
Thanks Neil