Hey you guys. Finally after weeks of surfing i have finally found what appears to be the welding forum Mecca. This is my first post here ! so i wanna build a big crazy chopper bicycle. The reason i reckon i can do this is because one crazy day i thought, Hey i am a pretty handy guy, i can do plastering, plumbing, electrics, wood work and pretty much anything handy. But can i weld ? Can i F***. I'm gonna build a bike for the summer. I have already started planning and cutting and hopefully Father Christmas will bring me a big fat dogs doo dars welder to start welding my frame. Do you remember passing your driving test ? Was your first car a Lambo ? errr no. So my first welder ain't gonna be the nuts either. Gasless SIP entry level. Mainly because i can't sort out power for anything bigger. Am i wasting my time or have i gotta save up some $$$$ for a big phat bit of kit ?
- Thread starter migmonkey
- Start date
Drains
Yeah, nah.
- Messages
- 7,720
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- Sefton, South Island, NZ
Migmonkey, please don't get a gasless anything. You can go near as dammit up to a 200A mig on a 13amp supply, so don't sell yourself short... seriously. For decent budget stuff, look at the clarke range, for the best price and service, PM Steve (Weldequip), and use a chunky extension lead.
Then show us yer chopper!
Then show us yer chopper!
shenion
Tool Pack Rat
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- 7,586
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- Stone Mountain, GA USA
If you go gasless, at least get one that can be upgraded for gas use. For Clarke, that is the EN models. I would go for at least the 130EN (I believe it is 135EN there.) All the EN models need to switch to gas MIG is add a regulator.
Chris Latham
Member
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- 28
As above, send Steve (Weldequip) a private mail and he will sort you out with everything you need matey. His service is top notch and cheaper than anywhere else.
cheeRS
Chris
Link to Steve
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/member.php?u=461
cheeRS
Chris
Link to Steve
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/member.php?u=461
storm monkey
Cluless Expert!
- Messages
- 210
I just had a Clarke 151TE from Steve. Cannot praise Him, or It highly enough. Service was excellent, advice was also excellent, it arrived in 2 days, and was at a better price than Machine mart.
The welder its-self uses gas (disposables at the moment), is 150 amps, as the name suggests, and runs fine on a 13A supply, even on highest settings, although I haven't had it on full wack for long yet.
As for gas/gasless, you will get a better looking weld, with less effort or cleaning up afterwards if you use gas. The Clarke 150EN, plus regulator upgrade thingy would probably be a sound investment, as then you are set for both types. Don't forget to budget for extra wire, tips, helmet (the one with the welder is crappy!) gas etc, which will add a fair bit to your budget. A reasonable auto weld helmet really does make things a lot easier!
Phil
The welder its-self uses gas (disposables at the moment), is 150 amps, as the name suggests, and runs fine on a 13A supply, even on highest settings, although I haven't had it on full wack for long yet.
As for gas/gasless, you will get a better looking weld, with less effort or cleaning up afterwards if you use gas. The Clarke 150EN, plus regulator upgrade thingy would probably be a sound investment, as then you are set for both types. Don't forget to budget for extra wire, tips, helmet (the one with the welder is crappy!) gas etc, which will add a fair bit to your budget. A reasonable auto weld helmet really does make things a lot easier!
Phil
. Best of luck! 
storm monkey
Cluless Expert!
- Messages
- 210
I'd want more practice before I put anything I'd welded between my legs
Phil
Phil
Watch this space ! any road been speaking to some fellas about Arc/Tig. Would this be worth a look ? maybe better for building a BICYCLE frame. Would i get less spatter ? What are the pro's and con's ? Any advice much appreciated chaps. When i was at school about 20 yrs ago there were 15 yr old kids building go kart frames ! i reckon with a bit of hard work i will get up to speed, practice makes perfect
