Mig welder wanted in East Anglia

[rb84]

Hello everybody. I have just been scouring the web looking for a cheap second hand mig and this site keeps coming up whenever I research a particular model so I thought I might be best off just asking on here. (Very informative and helpful site by the way).

I know how to weld a little bit, I did a short welding course a couple of years back and I've got a cheapy arc welder I use from time to time but I've now bought myself an extremely rusty campervan that needs a lot of welding so am after a mig. I'm near Bury St. Edmunds in Suffolk but don't mind a bit of a trip for the right one. I want one with a proper gas bottle, ideally the smaller size and l'll spend up to £200 for the right one. An empty bottle would do as I know a bloke who can fill one for me.

Any offers?

Thanks a lot,
Ross.

 

[wotwot]

Hi Ross, would that be a rusty VW campervan by chance ..
Bit of a tall order getting one with a half bottle, consider a little mig with a pub bottle maybe.
ebay is the most obvious to try you just might have to travel a bit to get one.
Good luck with the camper project.
Just waiting for the weather to turn so i can unwrap mine again and get again.

 

[rb84]

Thanks, no it's a 70's merc actually, at least if I had a VW it would be smaller so there would be less of it to rust!

I'm not too fussed about a small bottle, just thought it might be easier for storage. I'm keeping an eye on ebay, waiting for the right one to appear...should I be put off by not having the fittings for a non-disposable bottle? Is it a big deal to convert?

 

[stuvy]

my first hobby mig had the disposible regulator fitted to it i went to my local welding shop and got the conversion bits i needed for £3.50 works a treat. The one thing i will say is buy the best you can afford.

Welcome to the forum too mate is the merc a 308? i know a guy thats got one needing work

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Just needs a wire liner, not too far from you and comes with a reg at not even 2/3rds of your budget
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SEALEY-16...aultDomain_3&hash=item3cc520f6fa#ht_638wt_998

 

[wotwot]

Good find lawnmowerboy looks to be a bit of a bargain at that price.
Get in there Ross you,ll be welding in no time.
Plenty of info on here on how to change the liners.

 

[rb84]

I did see that. So if I change the liner that'll sort out the wire feed? What about the power switches that he said don't work?
Cheers for the advice.

 

[wotwot]

Yes the liner is the most likely fault on the wire feed,and easy to get hold of.
Most likely be able to get switches, weldquip might be able to help u there and with the liner.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

the sealeys are generally well regarded decent machines , i think it might be a eurotorch one so even with a new torch you would still be under budget

 

[harvey639]

Hi i'm just out side bury too i live in Thurston. my dads BMW dealer ship in bury had a sealy mig but i packed up fairly quickly. i am tempted to hire my mig out to you pm me if you are interested.

 

[rb84]

Thanks for the offer but I've bought that Sealey one now. I'll have a chance to have a play with it at the weekend, do you think it could it just be rusty wire stopping it feeding?

 

[harvey639]

probably try a new liner, wire and clean the wire feed rollers use a damp cloth for this as any oil or grease on the rollers it will cause it to slip.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

as a temp. measure just blow out the liner and use some sort of spray lubricant

get some new wire, machine mart do it in our area

 

[Robotstar5]

as a temp. measure just blow out the liner and use some sort of spray lubricant

NO, don't spray anything down the liner

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Why can i ask? temporarily fixed my clarke until i replaced the liner

 

[mowersman]

Just guessing here but I'm thinking flammable lubricant plus lots of heat...
Andrew

 

[Robotstar5]

Why can i ask? temporarily fixed my clarke until i replaced the liner

It gives dust etc. something to stick to, clogging the liner until the drag on the wire stops it feeding. The only maintenance for liners is blowing out with dry air or replacement.

 

[rb84]

I spent a few hours fiddling with it, put a new liner and some new wire in and it seems to be fine! Thanks for all the advice.