Recommend me a new Mig...car body repairs

[Ibfan]

Hi new to the forum, and having to use a Mig again for the first time in ten years!
I own a an Telwin (sp) not sure on size which was fairly reliable but things are starting to fall off it/ break etc
So I'm on the look out for a new Mig that will be ok for car bodies 1-2mm ( sills, front inner wings etc) and possibly chassis sections 3-5mm ...as the old golf is hiding a few surprises!!
I'm not totally new but very rusty... Only used to weld with Co too so would like opinions on Argoshield etc.. And this is the big crux.. Anywhere in the Middlesbrough area for supplying gas esp in Large bottles?

Cheers for any info and no doubt I'll be on here a lot!

 

[Wozzaaah]

Welcome to the forum.
It would help if we knew how much you had to spend.

 

[Ibfan]

Bigger I knew there was something I missed...
As usual as little as possible!
In reality 200-300 if possible ..

 

[Wozzaaah]

I had a feeling you were going to say that!
Is that all-inclusive? I.e, gas, wire, mask, gloves etc.
If so then you're really limited to the cheapest of the cheap or second hand.
Realistically you want to be looking for a machine of around 150 amps so if your budget is just for the machine and you can add a few more beer tokens then a Clarke 160 is probably about the best you'll get.

 

[Ibfan]

I've got mask etc and couple of reels of 0.8 wire,full bottle of CO..just need a welder really

 

[Ibfan]

tbh I need to ask for settings too for welding these inner sills..
would say 1mm steel with what settings?
is 0.8 wire too thick?
and would a 160 go low enough for me to weld 1-1.5 mm steel?

 

[Wozzaaah]

The 160 starts at 30 amps so plenty low enough for thin steel.
0.8 wire will work fine but you may get on better with 0.6 if you find yourself blowing holes.

 

[Ibfan]

right I'm off into the garage later to have a proper look at my old welder and see if I can suss it out...(feed problems to tips and gas supply problems...think line might be kinked?!)
if not its out to buy a new one!