Hi everybody I'm new to welding and new to this forum but eager to learn I was wondering if anybody can help me with the choice of my first welder. I bought a 32 years old car about half a year ago and although I new it was sort of a project it's got MOT I discovered the floor panels needs welding. I ve already started reading about welding, watching youtube tutorials and so on but it's time to practice. Any advice welcome.
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cumbriasteve
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Welcome and your question has been asked many many times, but not your fault, I did the same when I joined the forum.
Think I will keep it simple and say you can't go far wrong with a Clarke or the GYS if funds allow, those are around the £330 mark.
Or you can pick up a decent 2nd hand Clarke for half that price or less, the top power range is not important for car panel work the bottom range is, you want it to go down to 30 amps if possible.
If buying 2nd hand you MUST see it working and working well, any seller excuses and walk away.
Think I will keep it simple and say you can't go far wrong with a Clarke or the GYS if funds allow, those are around the £330 mark.
Or you can pick up a decent 2nd hand Clarke for half that price or less, the top power range is not important for car panel work the bottom range is, you want it to go down to 30 amps if possible.
If buying 2nd hand you MUST see it working and working well, any seller excuses and walk away.
cumbriasteve
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As if by magic this has appeared for sale, a good machine for a decent price and ideal for your purpose if you have a relative in the area who could buy and send to you.
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=460438#post460438
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=460438#post460438
cumbriasteve
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Don't be put off asking questions if you can't locate the help you require, I stand by my original answer regarding a Clarke machine, probably the most common and respected of the hobby range of mig's.
The GYS is hot on it's heels at the moment but if you have no further welding plans then your present need's it is perhaps a bit costly.
If you think you will end up welding a fair bit of stuff in the future..it becomes addictive, then there is the Portamig range of machines, very low settings for car panel work and a very well built machine.
The GYS is hot on it's heels at the moment but if you have no further welding plans then your present need's it is perhaps a bit costly.
If you think you will end up welding a fair bit of stuff in the future..it becomes addictive, then there is the Portamig range of machines, very low settings for car panel work and a very well built machine.
Jim_gsxr1000
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Welcome 
Badger1bear
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WelcomeThanks for friendly welcome...to be honest with you I want to do the first project first but I already know what I wanna do next so I will probably stick to some welding for a while.
So can anybody tell me whats the minimum of amps that I should have? Is it 30? or should I buy something with 24 amps. I've seen some adverts in 'Car mechanic'
So can anybody tell me whats the minimum of amps that I should have? Is it 30? or should I buy something with 24 amps. I've seen some adverts in 'Car mechanic'
marlinspike
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You need low amps to weld thin metal - which is what car bodies are - though chassis metal is usually a bit thicker, so a mig that goes down to 30 amps is best. The more expensive migs will go lower. There is also a technique for welding thin metal to avoid burning through it (blowing through), there is a tutorial about it on here.
If you post the names and prices of the migs you have seen, the guys will let you know if they are any good. The Clarke migs are well thought of, though. We have an old gasless Clarke which was fine for a bit of car welding, though gas is much neater.
What is your budget? I bought a used Cebora for £250 from the classifeds on here. That is nearly what the car cost, BUT I am counting on it being easier to use when I am ready to do my welding, and I will be able to sell it on afterwards.
If you have lots of welding to do, it may pay to spend more. What's the car , by the way?
If you post the names and prices of the migs you have seen, the guys will let you know if they are any good. The Clarke migs are well thought of, though. We have an old gasless Clarke which was fine for a bit of car welding, though gas is much neater.
What is your budget? I bought a used Cebora for £250 from the classifeds on here. That is nearly what the car cost, BUT I am counting on it being easier to use when I am ready to do my welding, and I will be able to sell it on afterwards.
If you have lots of welding to do, it may pay to spend more. What's the car , by the way?
As marlinspike says, 30A is a good minimum for car panel work. Welders that go below that are rare and often make a big splash about the low minimum current. However, I bought a SIP 130 as my first MIG welder on the strength of the 25A minimum current and the Practical Classics "Best Buy" status. It was junk and the low current didn't make up for it. My current welder (a Parweld) has a minimum of 30A and welds bodywork (and everything else) much better than the SIP ever did.
In other words, don't compromise quality in order to chase down the last 5A or so.
In other words, don't compromise quality in order to chase down the last 5A or so.
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Thanks it's Mercedes w123 230ce when I bought it I knew it's gonna need some work but I didn't expect that much rust. My budget is about £300 but I could stretch it just a little bit more. GYS SmartMIG 162 is nice but with gas upgrate kit its about £400. What about Clarke 160TM or Clarke 151 or 160EN?
mike 109444
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Luccass_j Welcome. Just think with a good welder (and some practice!) you will save money by making up your own panels and repair sections rather than trying to buy. Can't see parts/panels being cheep for a Merc?
Note if you go down the Clarke (MachineMart) route that they have a VAT free day on there Clarke products. Search forum for info on the voucher needed.
£300 - 20% = quids in!!
Note if you go down the Clarke (MachineMart) route that they have a VAT free day on there Clarke products. Search forum for info on the voucher needed.
£300 - 20% = quids in!!
adamsmitqc
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If it helps, I have the Clarke 160tm and I've been very pleased with it so far!
I would recommend plenty of practice before tackling the actual job on the car!
With regards to the machine mart VAT free code, I have one which expires on the 15th July which you are more than welcome to use. PM me if you want it! That would save you 20% on the price of the 160tm so £280 instead of £335.
I would recommend plenty of practice before tackling the actual job on the car!
With regards to the machine mart VAT free code, I have one which expires on the 15th July which you are more than welcome to use. PM me if you want it! That would save you 20% on the price of the 160tm so £280 instead of £335.
There's so much choice that it is difficult to choose a good welder if you are new to the world of welding.
I'm not going to tackle any job before plenty of practice. The car is park in the garage and I'm not in rush but it's a beautiful car and it is worth fixing.
Adam thanks for the offer I am going to PM you.
I'm not going to tackle any job before plenty of practice. The car is park in the garage and I'm not in rush but it's a beautiful car and it is worth fixing.
Adam thanks for the offer I am going to PM you.
I got my welder today Clarke's 160tm Thanks to Adam I got it with a discount. Thanks again. It is without a plug and the manufacture advices a plug of capacity greater than 13amps. I've checked the forum and most members use heavy duty 13 amps plug anyway. Does it cause any problems?
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The worst that can happen is the fuse blows, just fit a new one and carry on.
