What to buy

[rizzlablue]

Hi i have just recently bought a classic mini and as per usual it has lots of rust. So i am a complete novice i have only read lots of theory never used a welder so any advise would be great. I guess i will be welding between
1mm-4mm mild steel what im after is spending £200 or less on a gas/gasless mig that will welder the thickness im after with as much easy as possible. Were will i be able to find some metal to practice with im in kent UK.
Thanks

 

[dstealth]

Hi i have just recently bought a classic mini and as per usual it has lots of rust. So i am a complete novice i have only read lots of theory never used a welder so any advise would be great. I guess i will be welding between
1mm-4mm mild steel what im after is spending £200 or less on a gas/gasless mig that will welder the thickness im after with as much easy as possible. Were will i be able to find some metal to practice with im in kent UK.
Thanks

Lots of people on here weld cars and have asked the same question a countless amount of times. It is a good idea to use the 'Search' function at the top of the page or just have a general read around first.

To answer your question though, you want a welder that has a minimum amperage of 30 Amps or below for car bodywork. To be honest, 30A is pushing it a bit. Although if 1mm is your min. thickness you'll be fine as long as you take a bit of care.

I would be looking at the Clarke 151 machine if I were you. And for sheet metal, try your local steel stockist or frost.co.uk have sheet metal in smaller manageable sizes fit for the car restorer

Chris.

 

[rizzlablue]

Hi i have read through a fair few of the same sort of messages but wanted to ask a few questions without hijacking someone elses post. I have seen the clarke 151 mentioned a few times but have read that it needs converting to take gas if this is true will it cost much and will i be able to get this and every thing i need to start welding in my buget. The other question i was wondering is will a mig be able to weld ally ?
Thanks

 

[Robotstar5]

I have a Clarke 151TE and it comes with regulator to use gas, it can be used without gas (fluxed wire) by swapping the polarity
Machine Mart are having VAT free days at present, so get one cheap

 

[weldequip]

I have seen the clarke 151 mentioned a few times but have read that it needs converting to take gas if this is true will it cost much

The 151EN model needs converting to gas yes. It's a dual purpose gas-less/gas machine, supplied from the factory in gas-less mode... a gas upgrade kit is around £25. The 151TE is ready set up for use with gas (no gas less facility though).
weldequip

 

[rizzlablue]

hi how do I find out about vat free days are they instore only or on line too thanks

 

[Robotstar5]

Usually when you buy from them they have your details and will send you a card when the next VAT free days are due. You can get in without an invite but you will have to phone for the dates, normally 4 times a year.
Dates vary around the country, Birmingham is today & Wednesday evening.
Cheers, Stuart

 

[rizzlablue]

I have never bought from machine mart before but have registered my details.
Does any one no when deal or maidstone are having there vat free day as you cant buy over the phone Is the 151te really the only welder worth mentioning what is the 151en like is there a big differance? I no there are meant to be a few cheap welders that will go down to 20amp which would be a bonus on body work. will they not have a high enough top end to weld the structual side of things. If no one has any other suggestions were can i pick up a 151te cheap is machine mart the best place.
Thanks

 

[Afterimage]

Usually when you buy from them they have your details and will send you a card when the next VAT free days are due. You can get in without an invite but you will have to phone for the dates, normally 4 times a year.
Dates vary around the country, Birmingham is today & Wednesday evening.
Cheers, Stuart

When I recently rang my local Machine Mart to ask about the dates of their VAT free days I was told that they were doing them for a full month,2 days each week.

 

[English Steve]

If you are considering a Clarke, don't forget that Weldequip on this forum is an agent. Send him a PM for a competitive price.