Mystery Machine
Member
- Messages
- 20
The time has come to have a go at some welding.
With a few projects starting and various other projects 'on-going' I am finding a greater and greater need to get behind some metal melting!
I've never done it before and I am willing to take my time & practice on lots (and lots) of scrap bits until I am happy with my technique before tackling a vehicle.
Despite never having done it before, I am pretty handy and a fast learner so not too worried about the welding itself. What I would like advice on is buying one.
I don't want to buy cheap (false economy in the long term) but I won't be welding for a living either and this means I don't need a full on 3phase piece of kit, so I'm looking for a good quality welder that will help a novice (if that makes sense??)
Budget - probably around £600. Happy to look second hand and ideally a bit less than £600 because I will need to kit myself out with visor/gas/clamps/tools etc...
Has to be MIG (not gasless) but other than that, I am all ears.....
I will be doing some bodywork but also welding brackets and other mild plate up to 6mm/7mm thick (winch mounts etc...) so need something that will cover both sides of the spectrum.
I don't want to buy something that I'll want to upgrade too soon but also don't want to buy something that is too excessive to my needs. Second hand is probably preferable because I'll be able to get more for my money (and probably a few accessories/spares with it)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions....MM
With a few projects starting and various other projects 'on-going' I am finding a greater and greater need to get behind some metal melting!
I've never done it before and I am willing to take my time & practice on lots (and lots) of scrap bits until I am happy with my technique before tackling a vehicle.
Despite never having done it before, I am pretty handy and a fast learner so not too worried about the welding itself. What I would like advice on is buying one.
I don't want to buy cheap (false economy in the long term) but I won't be welding for a living either and this means I don't need a full on 3phase piece of kit, so I'm looking for a good quality welder that will help a novice (if that makes sense??)
Budget - probably around £600. Happy to look second hand and ideally a bit less than £600 because I will need to kit myself out with visor/gas/clamps/tools etc...
Has to be MIG (not gasless) but other than that, I am all ears.....
I will be doing some bodywork but also welding brackets and other mild plate up to 6mm/7mm thick (winch mounts etc...) so need something that will cover both sides of the spectrum.
I don't want to buy something that I'll want to upgrade too soon but also don't want to buy something that is too excessive to my needs. Second hand is probably preferable because I'll be able to get more for my money (and probably a few accessories/spares with it)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions....MM
For your budget you have quite a choice, a firm favourite on this forum ( and plenty have them on here ) is the Portamig, British built 
( proper job this one ) and a solid performer I think the 181 would be within your budget but might struggle with the thicker gauge materials you have mentioned.Look for a welder with minimum amps of not more than 30 amps ( for thin material ) or even less.You also need to keep in mind your power supply,you would be OK up to about 180amp on single phase 240v for a reasonable amount of time ( you might have to change the 13amp fuse in your plug occasionally ) or if you are able, step up to a 16 or 32amp supply.You can also find some excellent pro machines on ebay ( Murex,Migatronic,Esab,Thermal Arc,etc ) you need to find one that's not been hammered tho 
there are loads of posts on here from guys looking for their first MIG I should have a browse until you get into the swing of it.There are plenty of helpful members on here who will be glad to offer advice also weldequip who is a regular contributer to the forum and a Portamig stockist.
,you will need to source some gas now, BOC or Air Products are convenient but expensive if you don't weld often,Gasman (posts on here) is near Gloucester you can collect from him he does a better deal than BOC/AP also check out the Gas Price Spreadsheet.
