Hello!

[Epicyclic]

Been looking on here afor about a week and decided to take the plunge as I haven't done any welding for a long time.

I have a Elektra Bekum 15/130 mig, very ancient and, if I remember correctly from when I last used it, not in great shape and a Clarke 140 stick welder that probably hasn't been fired up for at least 15 years.

So, the reason I've become interested again is that I'm about to take delivery of a NCF Sahara (Discovery based kit car) and I've got some additional work to do when I get it. This mainly involves welding approximately 1mm strip steel to 48mm dia rollcage tube, nominally 3mm thick, to make a flange for the door seal to fit on. There will be other welding jobs but probably not much thicker than 5mm - any more than that I'll see an expert!

Anyway, thats me - gathering as much info as possible before I spend some money.....

Cheers, Henry.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Hi Henry and welcome to the forum, am sure many including me would love to see the kit and its progress as you do the build.

 

[Epicyclic]

Hi Steve, thanks for the welcome...

The truck I'm building is from here http://www.ncfblitz.co.uk/page10a.html and the forum showing some of the builds is here http://fourwd.org.uk/phpbb/index.php Quite an unusual animal at present but there is a growing following as Disco's with rotten bodies and good chassis/mechanicals can be had for about £500ish.

With regard to a new welder I'm thinking quality, as I only want to buy once. I really fancy a Portamig 185, I'm wondering if I can justify the expense, as it has the auto feed and looks to be superbly made. As some of the welds will be visible I want them to look good as well as having adequate strength! I know I'm going to have to practice to get my eye in but I'll have plenty of time off over the Xmas break. The only thing is it does seem a bit OTT for my needs, my quandry at present is a. is the auto feed worth the extra expense and b. there are some good deals on some of the "better" quality hobby welders about at present around the £300 mark.

I'll keep absorbing the info. for now and hopefully, with what I can gain from here, make the right decision.

Cheers, H.

 

[Epicyclic]

Delighted to say I've bought a Portamig (from another forum member) as it was my first choice really. Had to go to Bishop Aukland to collect the Sahara so picked it up from the Blackpool area on the drive back.

Just need to arrange the Hobbygas next weekend and start practicing. Incidentally, I've used BOC (CO2) in the past, but handed the cylinder back about 12 months ago as the hire cost was getting prohibitive for the amount of use I had. Any comments before I do the do?

Cheers, H.

 

[stuvy]

Welcome to the forum mate, there is a sahara in bedford that pootles around the chap has a big dog cage in the rear for his four legged friend!