What amp mig shall I hire ?

[demented]

I'm considering hiring a mig welder from Speedy Hire to carry out some body work repair to my car, the rear chassis rail and the inner sill/floor.
I've not welded for years, even then I was still learning, however, I feel like giving it a go.
My question, what amp mig welder should I hire ?

 

[GrahamGKD]

I would have the 180A one would do it:

http://www.speedyhire.com/Tools-&-Equipment/Welders/MIG-Welders/p-1-10-38-372/

Unless I'm reading it wrong (only had a very quick look) there are only two 240v machines? This one is stated to have a range of 35-180A. If anything you would choose one with a lower minimum setting for car work. You don't say what thickness of metal you will be welding?
Graham.

BTW - do they give you shielding gas when you hire a MIG. Welding thin metal will be harder with gasless MIG wire.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Virtually any mig will do, body work is very low amps and even the heavier chassis bits should not need more than about 90amps.

Don't know how much the hire would cost you but there are often the occasional 2nd hand clarke machines selling for about £100 or so.

If you do decide to buy...read the forum here, some makes are very good, some are ok and some are a nightmare

 

[Uniqueusername]

I shouldn't say this because i'm IN the hire trade.........
Don't hire a welder unless you're already a competent welder.
It can take a competent welder a good few minutes to get the feel for a different welder let alone one that may well be faulty............
(90% of hire mechanics don't know how to weld / wouldn't recognise a duff welder if it bit them.)
You could well be cursing for a week before finding out...........
Put the money towards buying one, you can always sell a decent one when you're finished.

 

[slimjim]

I'm considering hiring a mig welder from Speedy Hire to carry out some body work repair to my car, the rear chassis rail and the inner sill/floor.
I've not welded for years, even then I was still learning, however, I feel like giving it a go.
My question, what amp mig welder should I hire ?

if your not welding anything thicker than 3mm, then I can reccomend a used clarke 100en, run it on argon mix and it will produce some fine welds, second hand they cost between £80 and £100, a much more worthwhile investment than hiring a welder, and you can re sell when you no longer need it

 

[demented]

Thanks for all the informative and prompt replies.

Yes, Speedy Hire only have the two Migs suitable for DIY use. The 180 amp mig is the one I was considering, also as its only £45 for a week, unsure about any hidden extra?

I plan to use 1 mm for the small holes in the floor section. The chassis rail has a section of metal wrapped around it, kinda like a double skin, its this section that has corroded, so plan to use 2/3mm.

I take on board your point about mechanics, like myself knowing nothing about welding, I've welded in the past and understand the principle and I probably wouldn't recognised a duff welder, unless it did nothing when switch on and used?

I've have considered buying a Mig, the Clarke Pro 90 from Machine Mart, but £45 per week to hire sounds more appealing than £200 to buy.

I have to also consider my ability to weld, over the years, I've rebuilt a few accident damaged car, replacing inner/outer wings, front cross members etc, however, these section only required plug/tack welded. On one occasion, I used a spot welder, which is fantastic when fitting new panels.

The repairs I plan to do on this occasion will require tack welding initially, then small runs of welds all around, which I have little experience of.

Now I know which welder is most suited to hire or buy, this weld help me decide whether to buy, hire or just pay a welder to weld for me.

Thanks

 

[slimjim]

Thanks for all the informative and prompt replies.

Yes, Speedy Hire only have the two Migs suitable for DIY use. The 180 amp mig is the one I was considering, also as its only £45 for a week, unsure about any hidden extra?

I plan to use 1 mm for the small holes in the floor section. The chassis rail has a section of metal wrapped around it, kinda like a double skin, its this section that has corroded, so plan to use 2/3mm.

I take on board your point about mechanics, like myself knowing nothing about welding, I've welded in the past and understand the principle and I probably wouldn't recognised a duff welder, unless it did nothing when switch on and used?

I've have considered buying a Mig, the Clarke Pro 90 from Machine Mart, but £45 per week to hire sounds more appealing than £200 to buy.

I have to also consider my ability to weld, over the years, I've rebuilt a few accident damaged car, replacing inner/outer wings, front cross members etc, however, these section only required plug/tack welded. On one occasion, I used a spot welder, which is fantastic when fitting new panels.

The repairs I plan to do on this occasion will require tack welding initially, then small runs of welds all around, which I have little experience of.

Now I know which welder is most suited to hire or buy, this weld help me decide whether to buy, hire or just pay a welder to weld for me.

Thanks

You really need 30 amps or lower as a minimum, preferably 20-25, and dont be worried about buying secondhand, lots of welders get bought, but sit around doing nothing for ages,

if you do hire, get yourself a short length of copper pipe, flatten the end and place behined the butt weld, it will take some of the heat and the weld will flow between the two bits of metal, without sticking to the copper.



my clarke 100en was bought in the late 80's and still works great

 

[demented]

Thanks for all the tips and info.

I've had no choice but pay to have the welding done. I needed my car on the road as soon as possible.

I've paid £70 to have the chassis rail welded and a small hole in the passenger side floor, about the size of 50p piece and two small holes in the drivers side floor, adjacent to the sill, both approx 1 inch long, and all painted with underseal.

The chassis rail had totally disintegrated.

I've decided I will purchase a Mig, probably a used clarke 100en, as although my welding has be done, I cant help but think I could have done a better job.