Hi all. New Novice

[deltashad]

I am new to the forum and new to welding.
After 20 years of Lancia ownership the time has come to learn how to weld myself (not weld me, but the car). I've been stripping back the car and various holes are appearing, one panel in particular has more hole than metal.

You've probably heard the story a hundred times but here it goes again.
I don't have much cash (who does), I need to weld panels, at £300 a time for a not so good second hand front wing I wont be replacing them. After the car has been fixed I will very rarely use the welder so longevity is not priority.
I'm needing advice, I have seen on amazon a MIGHTYMIG100 for 134 quid. Its gasless. Is that a total waste of money?

The welds do have to be good though, I am prepared to learn but dont want to make a mess 'cause the equipment is sub satisfactory. I do love the car.

Any help most appreciated.
http://www.ppcmag.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=9322

Some pics here of the job needing done.

 

[octo0072000]

mig

well if you want the welds to look good don't buy gasless you need a gas mig that goes to 30amps of less for car body work and you need to learn to weld off the car first some pick it up ok others dont remember you need lots of other bits as well auto mask grinder flap wheels cutting discs tin snips lots of molecrips panel clamps the list goes on

here you go from weld quip his shop link is at the top of the page this one comes with gas upgrade kit and looks like free delivery good after sales as well and plenty of spares available just keet reading on here you tube videos loads of them the tuturials on here links at top of page have fun it's a big learning curve

http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-130en.htm

looking at the link pictures you have a lot more work on there than you think
if you are going to have to make all the bits of panels see if you can find a local collage that has either a metalworking course or welding or both

 

[keith19]

Hi Delta, welcome to the forum

Octo seems to have covered most of the essentials in his post above, but having looked at your pics of the car I would say that it is more important to learn how to make your own patches and repair panels first, even before getting a welder. And cut out any pitted metal, as it will just hopelessly blow through as soon as the arc touches it.

Replacement panels are going to be difficult to find, I should think, so it's essential you get to like metalworking and get familiar with it. Start off with small flat repair patches first, then learn about curving and beating the metal into shape. If you can't find a bodywork class locally there are plenty of helpful videos on youtube. Learn how to joddle the panels in too, makes patching a lot easier on thin metal.

So far as welders go, as said above don't bother with a gasless only welder. The metal on that car is so thin you are going to have to be pretty careful with any gas mig too. Look up the 'Thin metal technique' video on here to study the sort of welding you will need to be doing.
Save up for a half-decent welder while you are learning to make panels. Maybe a Clarke 90 would suit you if it's going to be mostly thin bodywork repairs. These go down to about 25 Amps output for a bit less fierce weld on thin metal.

It looks like a long haul at first, but it gets easier as you go. You will find lots of folks on here to encourage you and help you along. Look up the excellent restoration done by Redwine on here if you want inspiration. I think it's called 'Thanks Everyone'.

 

[deltashad]

Thanks for the warm and insightful welcome to your forum.
My job is on an engineering level so I am not too daunted by the work I have to learn.
This info has put my mind at rest for the preparations I need to start. I have a few of the tools already in my garage, think I have around four sets of vice grips, tin snips and a grinder. 'Joddle' this is a new term for me. I did an internet search and think I've sussed what it is! lol.
I'm sure that I will enjoy the experience I am actually really looking forward to it.
Its a skill that I've always wished I could learn but have kind of financially been pushed into it.

I shall keep you informed with the progress. Many thanks again guys
Grant

 

[octo0072000]

good link for you

Frost do a lot of stuff for classics etc they also do a joggler and hole punch in
( saves drilling holes to puddle into ) one that was on offer this link is to a how-do-i-metal-working-courses have a look also look up the VW forums some real tin bashing on there in malasia i think cant find the link off hand
all the best get you mig and gas dont use small bottles learn to weld keep away from the car till you can seam weld .8 mm metal and it looks good then have a go on the car and your welding will go all to pot that's how it goes you need all the bad metal cut out and clean shiny metal to weld to and a good earth clamp the cheap one's the welder come with leave a lot to be desired a 200 amp on fleybay about a fiver
have fun aso dont weld in a tee shirt you get mig burn always cover up
here the good bit when you are laying down and a bit of molton weld drops on you dont try to jump up one it hurts more when you bash your head on the car just let it burn the more you shake it about the more it burns in more places you will get burns etc that's the learing part same with grinding face shield and good gloves it it grinds through metal finders are easy

http://www.frost.co.uk/how-do-i-metal-working-courses

 

[steveo3002]

when i enquired about a basic mig the clarke90 was said to be the cheapest beginers set that works ok

i went out and got one and its plenty good enough , i use gas with it

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

If I were you I would buy:

A second hand Clarke 90 or Clarke 100E gas mig welder, a well cared for one for about £100.

A new auto darkening helmet, weldequip does a good one for £45. Don't buy a Halfords cheapie, they're useless.

David Gardiner's DVD on panel beating - I'll post a link. This will teach you how to make the panels that you need. Best £ you'll ever spend.

Craig Hopkins DVD on MIG welding automotive sheet metal. Again I'll post a link.

Angle grinder, 1mm wide "slitting discs", grinding discs and "flap discs" for grinding down the welds afterwards.

You'll have to read up on anti rust primers and corrosion protection. Bilt Hamber are amongst the best on the market at present.

Good luck with your project.

Paul.

PS If you only buy one of the above make it the panel beating DVD. Everything else will flow from the knowledge that it bestows.

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-Mi...940?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item20bd51ef2c
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Clarke-We...545?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c1f8318c9

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsDxqb2p5OM

 

[PaulMcElhinney]

http://metalshapingzone.com/

 

[deltashad]

At last....

Well its taken a while. After the great advise from you guys, selling a few bits and pieces on ebay and getting myself heavily involved in a bidding war I managed to pick up my very own Mig yesterday. Its only taken me about six months to work out what I needed and how to get the funds.
I've spent more than I intended (£255.00) and don't know if it is a bargain or if I got carried away and filled the garage with more scrap metal. The previous day I missed out on another ebay deal by a quid and wasn't going to let it happen again. I would have rather poked myself in the eye with a toothpick than let "l******l" take my welder from me. It was a local sale so I figured the lack of postage meant I would save, unfortunately his 'local' address wasn't the same as his 'place of work'. I had to take the incredibly thirsty Merc as it wont fit in the MGF and ended up costing an extra £20 in fuel. So I'd call it a £275.00 buy.

So I now have a used but decent looking Sealey Supermig professional 180 c/w half sized bottle and regulator. It looks in good nick and has been used for heavy jobs and welds well, the guy seamed very trustworthy and showed me his new 3 phase welder which was more up to the work he needed.
The only thing he was concerned about was the wire feeder, if the adjuster is too tightly wound in it wont stop feeding wire, if not wound in enough it wont feed. I was shown it working so all is good. I think....

Now I have to get some gas. I have been told to fill it using a large bottle (transfer), This was a big selling point to me for the mig. I didnt want to have the costs of renting a bottle or the risk of poor welds by using disposables. So, will have to try to sus out a way of getting it filled. I figure I could rent a bottle and transfer it that way. But then I am defeating the object.

Also I need a mask, After reading the posts I will go with what Paul said and get a decent auto darkening one. Was hoping to spend about £20 but as everything else it, the costs have doubled and more! I reckoned I could get myself fully set up for £200. I'm not looking at nearly double that.

I just want to get some scrap metal and have a play. hopefully not too long now. I'm all excited... !

 

[deltashad]

 

[keith19]

About £400 new now, so you didn't do too badly for price, apart from the journey to pick it up. The spec. looks reasonable:

http://www.powertoolwarehouse.co.uk/sealey-supermig-180-professional-mig-welder-180-amp-230v.html

Goes down to 30 amps so should be okay for thin bodywork, with practice.
Spare parts should not be a problem.