Beginner, alternatives to the Clarke MIG151EN?

[tsbisc]

Hi all,

My exhaust needs some repairs for the MOT and rather than paying for someone else to do it, or getting a stainless system when it's likely to need changed in a couple of years due to other parts of the car evolving, I thought it would be a reasonable time to invest in a MIG welder. I have been thinking welding/fabrication could be a potential career path if I'm any good at it so seems like a good time to get some experience.

From what I've seen lurking the forum prior to signing up, the 151EN is pretty much the best I can afford according to the recommendations on similar threads. Is there anything else worth considering at a similar price point? There is a used 135TE on ebay but think I'd be better with a 150A welder?

It's worth noting that it would need to be run off a standard household plug and I would be looking to get a small CO2 bottle initially due to space constraints so will need the corresponding regulator. I also need all of the PPE and could do with recommendations for sourcing everything mentioned in this paragraph if I'm honest!

Also would anyone have a discount/vat free voucher for machine mart that they wouldn't miss?

Cheers

 

[Popcorn]

Theres a Clarke 160T for hundred and seventy quid in scotland on gumtree, north of dundee iirc

 

[Ashley Burton]

Hi all,

My exhaust needs some repairs for the MOT and rather than paying for someone else to do it, or getting a stainless system when it's likely to need changed in a couple of years due to other parts of the car evolving, I thought it would be a reasonable time to invest in a MIG welder. I have been thinking welding/fabrication could be a potential career path if I'm any good at it so seems like a good time to get some experience.

What car is it? Would it not be more cost effective to change parts of the system that need replacing?

From what I've seen lurking the forum prior to signing up, the 151EN is pretty much the best I can afford according to the recommendations on similar threads. Is there anything else worth considering at a similar price point? There is a used 135TE on ebay but think I'd be better with a 150A welder?

Can't go wrong with a Clarke, Bigger the better. You will only regret it later!

It's worth noting that it would need to be run off a standard household plug and I would be looking to get a small CO2 bottle initially due to space constraints so will need the corresponding regulator.

I wouldn't waste your money on small CO2 Bottles they don't last long. Better to invest in a 9/10L bottle of Argon Mix (It gives a better weld).

I also need all of the PPE and could do with recommendations for sourcing everything mentioned in this paragraph if I'm honest.

TIG gloves give a better feel over basic MIG gloves
Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is a night & day difference compared to basic welding helmets. So worth the investment!
A Welding Apron is good to stop weld splatter burning through your clothes

Also would anyone have a discount/vat free voucher for machine mart that they wouldn't miss?

Cheers

Hope the above helps!

 

[tsbisc]

Theres a Clarke 160T for hundred and seventy quid in scotland on gumtree, north of dundee iirc

Thanks for the suggestion Popcorn, unfortunately I'm limited to stuff that can be posted as the MOT ran out on the car mentioned, I'm in the Borders but could potentially collect from Edinburgh if it were a really good deal.




Ashley that's certainly a big help!

Replacement was my first idea so I went to a breaker but they didn't have the part I need (Y-pipe for a Lexus GS) and would prefer to keep cost to a minimum on the factory exhaust. The car is quite low and I would expect the same part to only fail again because of that, so I'm seeing picking up a welder as more of an investment since it will save me more in the long run when other jobs are taken into account too.

The bigger the better- The Clarke MIG 196 is actually the same price and has a range 40A-180A, would I perhaps be better with this? I was initially concerned that I might need the 30-40A settings more frequently than the 150-180A.

Are you aware of anywhere that can deliver the larger bottles without the rental fee? For the immediate future at least I don't see myself using enough gas to justify rental and I'm getting into bother with how much garage room I'm using, that said I could potentially fabricate a mount to tidy it away a bit more so can maybe get away with a 9L. And I will go for Argon mix!
*Edit*I believe I found a supplier now that I've used a better search term and they offer 2l bottles so I think I'll start of with that

I had heard TIG gloves are preferable as well as auto-darkening helmets, is it worth getting specific suggestions for these or just go with the best of my budget and see how I get on? The apron is a good shout as I'm awful clumsy, would probably benefit from a fire extinguisher too just in case

 

[cumbriasteve]

I am fairly sure the 196 is from the new range which may not be as good as the 151 which is a well known and liked by many model.

Nothing wrong with the 135 for car work and buying used means you will probably get your money back if you get into serious welding and want a bigger set up but you must see it working and working well before parting with cash.

The ebay £20 auto darkening helmets are fine for hobby welding, been using one for years.

 

[Ashley Burton]

Thanks for the suggestion Popcorn, unfortunately I'm limited to stuff that can be posted as the MOT ran out on the car mentioned, I'm in the Borders but could potentially collect from Edinburgh if it were a really good deal.




Ashley that's certainly a big help!

Replacement was my first idea so I went to a breaker but they didn't have the part I need (Y-pipe for a Lexus GS) and would prefer to keep cost to a minimum on the factory exhaust. The car is quite low and I would expect the same part to only fail again because of that, so I'm seeing picking up a welder as more of an investment since it will save me more in the long run when other jobs are taken into account too.

The bigger the better- The Clarke MIG 196 is actually the same price and has a range 40A-180A, would I perhaps be better with this? I was initially concerned that I might need the 30-40A settings more frequently than the 150-180A.

Are you aware of anywhere that can deliver the larger bottles without the rental fee? For the immediate future at least I don't see myself using enough gas to justify rental and I'm getting into bother with how much garage room I'm using, that said I could potentially fabricate a mount to tidy it away a bit more so can maybe get away with a 9L. And I will go for Argon mix!

I had heard TIG gloves are preferable as well as auto-darkening helmets, is it worth getting specific suggestions for these or just go with the best of my budget and see how I get on? The apron is a good shout as I'm awful clumsy, would probably benefit from a fire extinguisher too just in case

Would be good to see the damaged section to suggest methods of repair.

The lower the amps the better for thin steel i.e. Less than 1mm. But always good to have higher amps for the thicker stuff! The bigger the range the better.

Not sure about delivery, But I use SGS gas atm which is widely available.

In regards to PPE get the best you can afford.

Fire extinguisher is always a good idea!

 

[addjunkie]

There are a couple of places that do deposit bottle in the boarders, look on the sgs website and put your post code in, or the black smith in bonchester bridge does hobby weld gas.

Exhausts are much easier to fix off the car rather than on it.

If its a y pipe you can buy all the components, to make repair exhausts, a few companies do them , bosal is one that springs to mind
http://www.bosal.com/en/products-services/aftermarket/exhaust-systems/kits-parts

Sure there are others.

 

[tsbisc]

I will try and get pictures of it tomorrow morning, I was planning to tack it on the car the drop it down to get a weld right around, it might benefit from being sleeved as well. It's not in too bad condition, it's just sheared from the backbox hitting a speedbump I didn't see in the dark. I had a look at a couple of parts suppliers, it's definitely an option but I'm grudging spending money on the exhaust while it's not stainless

The 135TE is one of the few MIGs on ebay that allows for postage which is why it's a possibility, however I wouldn't be able to view it and it's an auction listing so might end up a bit more expensive.

I can't imagine needing to work on anything 5mm+ in the foreseeable future so I think the 30-150 is the more appropriate range of the 2 but I'll keep my eyes peeled for anything that has a wider range.

I'd need to call the suppliers listed on the SGS site in the day time as I can't see a way to order online. I found this however and it seems they will deliver to me, is this pricing reasonable?

 

[Ashley Burton]

I will try and get pictures of it tomorrow morning, I was planning to tack it on the car the drop it down to get a weld right around, it might benefit from being sleeved as well. It's not in too bad condition, it's just sheared from the backbox hitting a speedbump I didn't see in the dark. I had a look at a couple of parts suppliers, it's definitely an option but I'm grudging spending money on the exhaust while it's not stainless

The 135TE is one of the few MIGs on ebay that allows for postage which is why it's a possibility, however I wouldn't be able to view it and it's an auction listing so might end up a bit more expensive.

I can't imagine needing to work on anything 5mm+ in the foreseeable future so I think the 30-150 is the more appropriate range of the 2 but I'll keep my eyes peeled for anything that has a wider range.

I'd need to call the suppliers listed on the SGS site in the day time as I can't see a way to order online. I found this however and it seems they will deliver to me, is this pricing reasonable?

The 9L bottle seems a fair price for a rent free bottle.

 

[Popcorn]

TIG gloves might not hold up to all the splatter a beginner creates.
I know when I first started I got a thin pair of leather gloves and it burn't straight through.

 

[angellonewolf]

if its snaped at the joint there is a reason for it snaping the metal there is rusty it will not just be weld it will need cut add metal and then weld

 

[Cobbler]

As Cumbriasteve says, I've just checked & the 196 is from the new budget range. A low of 40A is really too high for bodywork. There has been no feedback on here on these models, they may be fine but ......

You won't go far wrong with a 135 or 151, they're pretty robust & spares are readily available from Machine Mart.

 

[angellonewolf]

i got the clark 160en its realy the only mig that i had unless you count the very old sip and i can stick metal together ok with little playing around and easy to use

 

[tsbisc]

Thanks for the further replies, happy surprise to see an active forum.

I'll look for a pair of MIG gloves that look like a neat fit in that case and see how I get on!

Yeah I've clicked on I would be better getting a length of pipe spare and get some practice on it as well before cutting out the old section.

Yeah probably better to go for the tried and tested! The EN series does seem well praised.

Pics of the job, on second inspection it does look a bit rotten.

How it should look -

 

[tinker jim]

Looks like that's snapped just after the weld had the same sort off fail on an old laguna when I paid a garage to fit a middle section from the cat back three weeks latter the flange on the cat snapped clean off.thought the exhaust looked low in the middle last time I let someone work on my car.you could sleeve it or just but weld it if the the pipe isn't to rusty.good luck with buying a welder I bought one thirty odd years ago to repair rotten escorts and have had one ever since.

 

[tinker jim]

@tinker jim - if you had the same type of failure on the same type of part you can't blame the garage.

Had you fitted it yourself it likely would have failed in the same way.

Garages don't generally weld in cat back systems, they'll buy in an aftermarket section and clamp it in.

They did order in after market section that they fitted after the cat but cause they didn't fit it right ie hangers did not line up put pressure on the system and it failed at the cat flange I took it all apart cut two inches off the join weld the flange back on and got two years out of it lesson learned not all garages know what they are doing but that don' stop them.

 

[arther dailey]

You mention tacking it in place, be aware of fuel tank..could have serious consequences

 

[tsbisc]

Thanks Jim, I have a suzuki as well that's just about starting to collapse so maybe with luck that can be repaired to a decent standard instead of reshelled

Should be ok for the fuel tank as it's on the other side but thanks for mentioning it, I'll make sure there's no lines anywhere near either but I'd imagine all will be fine. I ordered an extinguisher last night with that kind of scenario in mind!

Although that reminds me of something related - when welding on cars I presume the battery should be disconnected just in case? I've wondered for a while but never seen it brought up.

Does anyone mind checking this list to make sure I'm not going in the wrong direction -

MIG itself - probably 151EN
Gas - From supplier up the road that uses fittings the same as BOC. Thinking 5% Co2/Argon
Regulator - Could do with pointers on this
Guessing I need a length of tube from the regulator to the machine?
Non flux wire and tips - Is diameter just based on material thickness and therefore current required through it or a bit of personal preference?

Auto-darkening helmet
Few pairs of gloves
Apron
Extinguisher as mentioned
Got overalls and various reasonably thick clothing for rolling about on the ground in

I'll need to try and find one of these , or make one with hose clamps and a bean can
Should already have metal prep stuff -
Grinder with various wheels
Wire brushes
Sandpaper
Drill and bits should they be needed

Will get some pipe of same diameters and flat stock to get to grips with beforehand

I must be missing something or other??

Thanks again!

 

[Ashley Burton]

In regards to regulator can't go wrong with a SWP one! Twin guage is good as it gives you bottle pressure. So when its getting low you know!

 

[tsbisc]

Thanks both, shopping baskets updated