Good evening from the Roadside

Roadside · 2026-03-24T17:41:52+0000

Evening all, thought I'd introduce myself now that I've registered.

I'm in the midlands in the UK and I've got an Iveco Daily that needs a fair bit of welding - pretty common on one of these vans. I've done a bit of welding before, both gas and gasless but the only welder I have is a Clarke 102NG Turbo Gasless so that's what I intend on using. In an ideal world I'd like a better set-up and was looking at the SIP Weldmate Autoplus 130A but to be honest, funds are tight and I should probably use that money for a new timing belt kit and water pump!

One thing I do struggle with is seeing what I'm doing so recommendations for a decent mask that won't break the bank would be great!

Cheers.

roofman · 2026-03-24T17:50:22+0000

Roadside said:
Evening all, thought I'd introduce myself now that I've registered.

I'm in the midlands in the UK and I've got an Iveco Daily that needs a fair bit of welding - pretty common on one of these vans. I've done a bit of welding before, both gas and gasless but the only welder I have is a Clarke 102NG Turbo Gasless so that's what I intend on using. In an ideal world I'd like a better set-up and was looking at the SIP Weldmate Autoplus 130A but to be honest, funds are tight and I should probably use that money for a new timing belt kit and water pump!

One thing I do struggle with is seeing what I'm doing so recommendations for a decent mask that won't break the bank would be great!

Cheers.

welcome mate...a low end mask would be ok if you fit a LED head band light to it...makes a massive difference to see what your doing.

Roadside · 2026-03-24T17:53:17+0000

roofman said:
welcome mate...a low end mask would be ok if you fit a LED head band light to it...makes a massive difference to see what your doing.

Wow, why have I never thought of this. Simple is often best - great tip, cheers!

qwakers · 2026-03-24T17:59:05+0000

problem with welding masks is whilst cheap ones work, decent ones are game changers. my welding improved 200% when i bought my esab sentinal a50. in reality, any decent true colour mask will be worlds away better than anything else, and is worth every penny.

only trouble is the price...

Roadside · 2026-03-24T18:08:40+0000

qwakers said:
problem with welding masks is whilst cheap ones work, decent ones are game changers. my welding improved 200% when i bought my esab sentinal a50. in reality, any decent true colour mask will be worlds away better than anything else, and is worth every penny.

only trouble is the price...

Absolutely. I used my mates mask last summer, not sure what is was but he said it was nearly 300 quid. I could not believe what I was seeing through that thing. My welds looked amazing!! Ha, made me realise I'm not as **** as I thought, I just can't see! (I should be honest though and say that I was using his welder, not my little gasless thing.)