New to the group

[malcolm X]

Hi guys,
I am new to the forum and know nothing about Mig welding but anxious to learn, so my first question is what make of Mig set would you advise, what kind of price to pay and where should I buy one from? Machine Mart or possibly B&Q or a specialist welding company.
The type of welding that I would like to do is repairing broken machines that I use in my business, and I would also like to weld up ornamental mild steel brackets etc

 

[spaffmonkey]

Hi

Im not the one to tell you what machine is best but i have a big old Clarke MIG
which i am very happy with and the parts are easy to get if anything is to go wrong.

personnel i would stay clear of places like B&Q for things like welders.

Chat to the weldequip shop on the sight as very helpful.

 

[malcolm X]

Hi

Im not the one to tell you what machine is best but i have a bit old Clarke MIG
which i am very happy with and the parts are easy to get if anything is to go wrong.

personnel i would stay clear of places like B&Q for this like welders.

Chat to the weldequip shop on the sight as very helpful.

I was thinking along the lines of a Clark unit, at least you have Machine Marts back up for spares saw couple there for about £250 will check them out again on monday.

 

[spaffmonkey]

I was thinking along the lines of a Clark unit, at least you have Machine Marts back up for spares saw couple there for about £250 will check them out again on monday.

I suppose it depends on how often it is going to be used as to how much its worth spending.

I got mine off the dreaded flea bay but you don't get the warranty then.

 

[the snooper]

before anyone can give any useful advice it would be handy to know what machines you plan to weld ie a clarke 160 wont repair a jcb bucket so a little more info would get you some better info

 

[boydy1989]

Apparently, B&Q no longer do any welding gear, as i found out when i was after some tips the other night.

Halfrauds, where i work, don't sell the tips i needed.

 

[malcolm X]

Apparently, B&Q no longer do any welding gear, as i found out when i was after some tips the other night.

Halfrauds, where i work, don't sell the tips i needed.

The B&Q near by me seem to be selling off their Rockworth compressors and electric welding sets dirt cheap, apparantly they are revamping the tool corral again and want to clear stock, I bought a cracking nailer gun for £20 today reduced from £69, cheaper than shop lifting and no risk

 

[brightspark]

The B&Q near by me seem to be selling off their Rockworth compressors and electric welding sets dirt cheap, apparantly they are revamping the tool corral again and want to clear stock, I bought a cracking nailer gun for £20 today reduced from £69, cheaper than shop lifting and no risk

are u talkin from experience or did sumeone tell u

 

[malcolm X]

before anyone can give any useful advice it would be handy to know what machines you plan to weld ie a clarke 160 wont repair a jcb bucket so a little more info would get you some better info

Me and my son run our own landscaping and garden maintenance business, we have quite a few machines (mowers etc) that sometimes need a bit of a welding job doing on them. We used to take them to a local fab shop to get them welded but old Bob that used to run the place retired and the new guy that bought the business does not want small time jobs.
Will have to burn the midnight oil to decide which welding set will suit us, we will only be welding light stuff.

 

[malcolm X]

are u talkin from experience or did sumeone tell u

My little joke, you can always tell who the store detectives are, its just as if they have a sign on their backs, think a Mig welder would be a little hard to get into your pocket without anyone clocking it?

 

[the snooper]

for light stuff like you mention have a look at the clarke range but i wouldnt go gasless if i were you gas is the way to go

 

[spaffmonkey]

Me and my son run our own landscaping and garden maintenance business, we have quite a few machines (mowers etc) that sometimes need a bit of a welding job doing on them. We used to take them to a local fab shop to get them welded but old Bob that used to run the place retired and the new guy that bought the business does not want small time jobs.
Will have to burn the midnight oil to decide which welding set will suit us, we will only be welding light stuff.

if your only welding things like mower's you want to look for one the amps go down to probably 30amps as from welding a mower myself they are not very thick.
maybe something like as the amps can go up to 130 so if you did do thicker metal it would still be ok.
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/135te-turbo-mig-welder

 

[malcolm X]

Will try and get up to machine Mart later on today to check out what they have, am getting pushed for time this week. Got to go in hospital next wednesday for an op, will be in for about a week then 6 weeks recouperation, wont tell you what the op is I dont want to bring tears to grown mens eyes but its rather delicate.

 

[spaffmonkey]

Best of luck with finding a nice mig and with the op.

 

[pedrobedro]

Tell me about yours and I'll tell you about mine I was only in a couple of days though so yours sounds more painful but I can tell you now catheters are no fun Look around for someone who does their own welding and usually they will stick something back together for you for beer money. I do a few bits for neighbours and friends besides my own repairs and fabrications, usually for a pack of Grolsch or a return favour.

 

[malcolm X]

Hi Pedro,
I have had a catheter in for about 6 weeks now which was put in, in an emergency, my op was scheduled for the 11th of october but it was cancelled due to unforseen circumstances.
I played hell with them and they re-scheuled it for wednesday the 20th, not looking forward to it as they have to do the job by inserting a camera and some kind of surgical instrument up my willy, dont mind as long as they knock me out, dont want to see or hear what they are doing, just want to wake up in bed all done and dusted.

 

[dai]

Hi Pedro,
I have had a catheter in for about 6 weeks now which was put in, in an emergency, my op was scheduled for the 11th of october but it was cancelled due to unforseen circumstances.
I played hell with them and they re-scheuled it for wednesday the 20th, not looking forward to it as they have to do the job by inserting a camera and some kind of surgical instrument up my willy, dont mind as long as they knock me out, dont want to see or hear what they are doing, just want to wake up in bed all done and dusted.

ouch
good look with the op

 

[Chickenjohn]

Me and my son run our own landscaping and garden maintenance business, we have quite a few machines (mowers etc) that sometimes need a bit of a welding job doing on them. We used to take them to a local fab shop to get them welded but old Bob that used to run the place retired and the new guy that bought the business does not want small time jobs.
Will have to burn the midnight oil to decide which welding set will suit us, we will only be welding light stuff.

Try a mower repair company. A friend of mine started his own mower repair business, and having done a good job of restoring his Morris Traveller, I can assure you he can weld!!!

Or, failling that, a small garage may be happy to do a little welding for you for time to time or ask for welders on this forum. If I were fairly local to you, I'd do it!