Ex mechanic trying to learn welding help?

[Baselfaulty]

Hi everyone I am new to the forum today, So HELLO!

Basically I have been a mechanic for about 12yrs but never done much welding over the years I have tried before but wasn't much good at it

I am no longer a mechanic but do have my own projects on the go so would like to learn in the comfort of my own garage where no one can take the p*ss out of me.

I did buy a welder an electric mig JCB, couldnt figure it out kept burning holes in things, I have used oxy bottles before for small jobs.

Whats the best welder I can get cheaper the better? and how is it best to get in to it?

 

[malcolm]

I've not heard of a JCB mig before. If you've still got it you could try practising on thicker metal to get the hang of it rather than battling with hole blowing while learning. Post some photos of the welds on here and we'll help figure out what's wrong.

The really cheap MIGs can be a waste of time - very difficult to learn on and often too hot and not controllable enough for car bodywork. The cheapest ones I'd recommend are the Clarkes. It's best to run one with a shielding gas for car bodywork, but that adds a bit to the cost. The buyers guide on here might give some more background.

For learning try working through the tutorial. If you know someone who can weld reasonably well then a bit of tuition from them would be very useful too.

 

[pidgeon chit welder]

Hi everyone I am new to the forum today, So HELLO!

Basically I have been a mechanic for about 12yrs but never done much welding over the years I have tried before but wasn't much good at it

I am no longer a mechanic but do have my own projects on the go so would like to learn in the comfort of my own garage where no one can take the p*ss out of me.

I did buy a welder an electric mig JCB, couldnt figure it out kept burning holes in things, I have used oxy bottles before for small jobs.

Whats the best welder I can get cheaper the better? and how is it best to get in to it?

Welcome to the forum ,
Metal burning , blowing holes and pidgeon chit welding are a speciality in these first sections.

I've slowly worked my way throug a couple of years worth of post and pictures.. and am getting better by the day.
have fun.

 

[Iain Westland]

Ditto on the Clarkes, used one for my welding over the last year in the garage while trying to rebuild the business. Great kit! I use the 160en at the moment, but when I get the 3 phase sockets installed I will be using a GYS trimig 205/4.

Make sure you ask questions, we dont take the urine

iain