Newbie Question

[lilblue1970]

Hello one and all. I'm a novice welder on a limited budget and looking for a set up to get me through welding puberty. Basically I'll be using it for putting my '69 VW Beetle back together. What sort of spec should I be looking for? Has anybody any experience with the Wolf brand as you seem to get a lot for the money? Thanks in advance.

 

[God mode restorations]

hi..i don't personally have experience with the wolf brand..but you pay for what you get..my advice would be if you can is to save a bit more and buy better...150 or 170 amp machine will be plenty for what you need...you may also might want to look at a rental bottle of gas..an initial out lay but better in the long run....

 

[Richard.]

Don't know much about that brand but I would be looking for a machine that will perform nicely at low current (20-30amps) rather than worrying about its top end or duty cycle. What is your budget so it can help the machine pros make some suggestions.

 

[Rig Pig]

Have a look on here in the welders section - Wolf are not recommend by people who have bought them, there are many better machines available.

 

[mike 109444]

Hi Lilblue Not sure what work your vdub needs but if it's a lot (it's surprising just how log it can go on for....) But look on your welder purchase as an investment as it's one tool you want to plug in, and work. So a good investment NOW will see you get on much better with learning welding then tackling the bug. If at the end of the rebuild you don't wish to do any more welding then you might be surprised what a good brand and looked after welder will fetch. Just take a look at what some of the second hand (and very tatty) welders fetch on ebay. If you go for one of the Clerke welders, bare in mind that machien mart have a vat free voucher on offer from time to time if you sign up with them or another member may have one if you ask.
And a welcome BTW to another car nut

 

[jackjosh]

I would look at a second hand Clarke, maybe a 150TE, the older ones seem to have a better reputation and I can vouch for that as I have one that I still have even after getting a Portamig 185, which says a great deal for the Clarke. Others might recommend different things but that is my input.

 

[lilblue1970]

Wow. Thanks for all the replies people. Think I'll try and go for a good second hand one then. My bug is a full body-off resto. Heater channel replacement, A pillars, front clip and some other bits and bobs, so it's going to be a steep learning curve. Just promised myself, I have to do it. Don't want to pay someone else to work on my bug when I could learn how to do it myself and gain a skill in the process. I may be a frequent flyer here with a lot of stupid questions. Cheers.

 

[Rig Pig]

Second hand opens up a whole lot of semi pro equipment that is built to work, just make sure that you see it working as parts can be pricey.

 

[God mode restorations]

sounds like an interesting project you have..its so much better when you do it yourself and learn at the same time...if we all had millions we could all pay a shop to do..no better satisfaction than building your own..good luck with your build...

 

[lilblue1970]

I'm liking this forum up to now. Everyone has been positive about having a go myself and the advice has been great. Cheers all.

 

[lilblue1970]

Is this a good starter welder for what I need?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/181443232449?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[God mode restorations]

hello..yes its a good little machine..but in the welding field the more the money the better the machine..if your budget allows may be go up a size in amperage...

 

[Jan]

That's a pretty good price for a new Sealey welder, but if you can find a little used second hand machine for the same money you should end up with some better equipment. Most makers are cutting corners these days to keep the retail price down compared to just a few years ago. Much of the older hobby stuff is now equivalent to 'light/occasional industrial' units available on the market.

 

[Kayos]

I just paid a bit more for a "shop soiled" Sealey 150 that appears to have been opened and put back in the box.

It seems well built and having not held a welding torch for over 10 years I'm quickly getting back into it, it also came with a full size regulator