new to welding

[gerrard]

ok m8 cheers, any ideas on how much a clarke welder would be second hand preferably cheers

 

[Splatfest]

Hi Gerrard youre not far from me (Maltby)

where can i buy wire and sheet metal from cheers

Not the cheapest places to buy sheet metal but just down the road (sell small rolls of wire too):
Ca-Parts
Muglet Lane, Maltby, Rotherham, South Yorkshire S66 7NA
Tel: 01709 817090

also if you venture into Sheffield:

Bodicar Panel Centre (Melbros)
783-787, Attercliffe Rd, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 3RF
Tel: 0114 244 2874

 

[gerrard]

may be worth a look cheers

 

[gerrard]

hi i have taken everyones advice and i have taken the welder back and got my money. now i need another welder can anyone help me, its for car body work and i am low on funds cheers

 

[dan_w]

Hi all, I am new to all this welding and seem to have made the same mistake as gerrard and brought the same welder. I should have done some research before buying one

The problem is I only brought this one due to having loads of B&Q vouchers for Xmas. I am now worried i will only be able to get vouchers back if i take it back for a refund. Does anyone have any advice on how I could continue to use this welder for car body repair’s.

If i do only get vouchers back i have noticed B&Q have the below welder. Would this be better suited to car body work. It seems a shame to be buying a welder for this sort of price and it not be a decent make. I just cant think of anything else I need from B&Q for £100.

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/n...refview=search&ts=1231818707649&isSearch=true

Any advice will be really appreciated.

Dan

 

[malcolm]

Welcome Dan,

The 120 is advertised with a more useful minimum current of 30 amps. So it would almost certainly be better than the 90 for bodywork.

There's not a lot on this forum about them, but I'm not aware of any Chinese designed and made cheap MIG that is any good. Some have AC output (should be DC), some have permanently live torches, and most will be cost downed in areas that make them more difficult to use.

I can't find specs for these on the internet so wouldn't take the chance.

 

[Bigjoe]

Dan,
For what you will pay for the rockworth machine you could pick up a decent clarke second hand or possibly even a new one like a pro90 or similar but i would pm weldequip as he is a font of knowledge regarding welding equipment.

Good luck

Joe

 

[dan_w]

Thanks for the responces guys. Unfortunatly i seem to be a little stuck, as before i used vouchers to pay for the welder and cant really justify having £100 work of B&Q vouchers and then spending another £180 odd on a welder. I cant think of anything else I need from B&Q for that sort of dosh.

So if people think i will manage with the 120 I will just add a little bit of cash and get that. I am not going to be using it all the time, just to patch a few holdes in my Mini. I know it is probably not an ideal welder to learn with either.

But the big question is will i manage with it?????

 

[Bigjoe]

Try it if you,ve already got it,or stick on the bay and see if anyone else wants it?

 

[Wozzaaah]

Dan, afaik the 120 is a dual purpose (gas/gasless) machine so it should be fine for bodywork using 0.6mm wire and argon/co2 mix. The 90A one is strictly gasless only. The 120 doesn't appear to come with a gas connection kit according to the specs so decide if you're planning on using disposables or refillables and PM weldequip for the appropriate kit.
Get it, have a go and let us know what you think of it, it would be interesting to have a review on here .

 

[dan_w]

Thanks loads for the advise everyone. I have had a good read on other posts and the guides on the main page and decided to cut my loses and return the rubbish welder to B&Q.

I have now brought myself a Clark MIG 90 from Machine Mart decided to go for the gasless as i had a load of gasless wire i brought for the other one. At lease i can convert it to Gas if i want to.

Wow what i difference it makes. I spent a couple of hours laying welds on an old door i had kicking around. The difference is amazing i had a few issues burning through when trying to find the right settings but after that I seem to have got the hang of it.

None of my welds are very pretty but all seem to be penetrating ok and the few times I have tried joining 2 pieces together seem strong enough. I think a few more hours practice are in order before I attack the mini. I will be sure to post some pics of some welds soon for advise.

Thanks Again guys.

 

[Bigjoe]

Pleasure! , nice to have helped a little, you'll be converting you pro90 to gas in no time (pm weldequip when you do as he supplies the bits cheaper than machine mart and better aftersales too).

Joe

 

[dan_w]

Excelent cheers for that Bigjoe. I did consider getting a gas one there and then, but the guy at machine mart didnt think u could use gassless wire with a gas welder. So i just decided to go with this and upgrade at a later stage if i decide to.

Once again Thanks for the advice it has really paid off.

 

[SUZUKI ROCKS]

Glad you sorted it Dan.

Dose thet mean that you now have £100 b&q vouchers burning a hole in your pocket? Good excuse to buy some power tools