Hey guys... What should i get?!

[Basley]

Hey guys, new guy here.

Anyway I've been looking for a welder for doing some body work on my project car.

I've been looking for a professional welder who lives local to me for a while now, but have had no luck.. So I'm going to attempt the work myself now.
I've never used a welder before nor have I bought one.. Hence why I'm here

What would you guys suggest buying? I've seen a few on EBay for sale.
I'm not wanting to spend to much as it'll only be used once.. ?

Or if anyone is local in Southampton, UK. That knows how to weld, ill pay for your service. I do have a garage with electricity and heating

If anyone could point me to the right direction that'll be great!

Thank you.

 

[Basley]

sorry to re-post, but would this be okay to buy.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-Mig1...638?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item417033af46

 

[jonjoe]

i think they have live torches which could find you off guard if you set them down

 

[keith19]

It's a bit of a minimalist setup. You will need a proper regulator to use large bottles. The reg they supply can be used but has no dials.
The ad does not give any hint of duty cycles, which is not a good sign. To be fair the ad does say it has a non-live torch; they didn't at one time, as jonjoe says.
Read up about them on here and elsewhere before you take the plunge. A machine like that just might do what you want it for, a one-off resto'. But if you intend to do welding for years into the future get something with a more solid reputation.
I wouldn't look at one of those if I could afford a Clarke for around £250 instead.

 

[Basley]

okay thank you guys for your help, I have seen someone on here selling a Clarke 150TE with extras for £220 but i live to far away to travel for it. I'll keep looking

 

[cumbriasteve]

Personally I would never consider a Wolf mig:

You won't go far wrong with a Clarke and if it's only normal car use you don't require a 150, the lower models will do you fine but it's always handy to have a bit of extra power...once you have a welding set it's amazing what you end up wanting to make or fix... a whole new hobby comes to light.

Cebora are excellent machines if you can find one 2nd hand, Snap On are usually rebadged cebora but can fetch silly money due to the belief everything Snap On is worth £££££££'s

SIP's can be very hit and miss...mostly miss from my experience.

Sealey could be worth considering.

Ebay cheap Chinese machines have a few good reviews and a fair few owners struggling to get them repaired when they go bang and find the seller does not want to know, although I know of a couple of guys using them and delighted with them..you pay your money and take your chance.

Basically if you buy 2nd hand from ebay then don't buy from miles away, trusting the seller and getting it delivered, you really need to see it working.

I think you will find the members on here a much more trustworthy bunch to buy from than the other advertising sites.

 

[Exuptoy]

From past experience m8, I'd have a look for a second hand or new Clarke 100E or 130/135. The 100E I had was a good machine and probably good for a real life 2mm/3mm plate, so would do a little chassis repair as long as the prep was good. Worth spending the extra on a large reg for the bigger bottles too.
Keep an eye on your local gumtree. I've bought and sold welders on there.

 

[Basley]

I think I found what I'm going to get, it's not the best but its pretty good for starters.. A Clarke 160TM. I'm waiting for machinemart to have a VAT free day, my other half as let me off my £200 budget by a bit