Price v. Performance for automotive welding

[RodAndTom]

Hi,

My boy and I have just got us a little mini to play around with. We need to do some welding on bodywork and maybe on thicker materials. I don't have an unlimited budget but can anyone tell me a good quality welder that can do the job, won't cost the earth, and will be easy to use. I mean I don't want a cheap one wi rubbish duty cycle that is impossible to use. Any idea what a sensible budget should be and a welder to go with it? Also, is co2 a real possibility instead of something like argon or is it too much of a compromise?

Thanks,

Rod

 

[mike os]

have a search for the clarke welders on here...

 

[shenion]

The Clarke's are recommended on this forum.

CO2 is fine. It is a bit harder to use and requires a decent machine to work well. I had no problems with it on my Clarke.

 

[cumbriasteve]

As mentioned you won't go far wrong with a Clarke, if a bit of thicker stuff is to be welded occasionaly then a 150amp would be a good all round machine.

CO2 will work and you will get away with it ok after some practice, argon/CO2 is much better, easier and nicer to use and there are a few independant suppliers now doing non rental bottles aimed at the car restorer, they can work out as little as a £1 a week spread over the year for hobby use. Obviously if you started welding every day and using a fair bit of gas it would work out dearer