Does anyone service welding sets?

[gasket999]

Hi everyone.

Newbie here. I'm mad-keen to learn how to mig-weld, having an interest in restoring old Land Rovers, wanting to build a Locost and general project building.

Years and years ago I had half a mig welding course at college, but had to quit due to relocation, so I'm really wanting to set up a welding area in the garage to practice.

In the fullness of time, I'd like to buy a Clarke 160TM, but until funds allow I'm hoping to make use of the little Clarke Dual-Mig 120 that we have in the garage, which is hooked up to a big rental bottle of gas. It hasn't had much use this last 5/10years or so and when I came to practice with it last summer it wasn't running very well, the wire kept jamming, not coming out smoothly and what-not. I suspect that the tip, shroud, liner etc. could need replacing - or maybe the welding wire is corroded through lack-of-use.

Rather than me (who doesn't know a good welding set from a bad one) trying different things to try and get it running smoothly - is it possible to have someone 'service' small mig machines for a reasonable fee? Ideally I'd like someone who can 'really weld' give it a once over, change any consumables and let me know that its ready for me to learn to weld.

I'd happily spend say up to £50 or so if the welding set came back in fully working, tested condition, but obviously much more would be a bit extravagant on a little mig like this.

I live in West Cumbria but regularly travel to Barrow in Furness, Carlisle and Warrington so could drop it off anywhere on the way.

Many thanks indeed for your help.

 

[ford34/2]

service

Newcastle upon Tyne,
Thos Proctor on Team valley, sorry they arent nearer, speak to Dave

Stan

 

[madkayaker]

i'm in Carlisle and willing to give it a once over. I'm a spark by trade and can lay a decent weld. PM if your interested p.s. i'm also keen on preventing landys from returning to base elements

 

[gasket999]

Stan - thanks for your reply, after your post I looked up Thomas Proctor and found they actually have a branch in Carlisle, near me - I've tried to contact them but recieved no reply I'm afraid.

Madkayaker - That's a really nice offer, thank you very much. In the meantime I came across Hunter Engineering and Welding in Carlisle, really nice people and they've offered exactly what I was looking for. I dropped the welder off this morning they're giving it the once-over (checking electrics and test-weld) for a very reasonable fee. At this point they'll tell me what it needs and how much it would cost so I can make a decision as to whether its cost-effective to have it serviced/repaired.

Fingers crossed it'll be OK so that I can spend the next year practicing before investing in a more substantial set.

P.S. I've been describing the welder as a Clarke Dual-Mig 120 but its actually a Cemont Dual-Mig 120. I'd never actually read what was on the casing!

Thanks again for your help.