What type of welder.

[thebiglad]

Hi all, please bear in mind that I know NOTHING about welding never mind MIG welding, but,......................................

i want to do repairs on my Land Rover Disco, which will involve putting in replacement body panels as well as welding heavier-weight metal onto the chassis.

I will probably be doing the work outside. Can anyone give me any tips to start the thought processes with regard to buying the right kit?

 

[malcolm]

You'll be looking at a welder with at least 150 amp max for a Land Rover. Even doing it outside you'd be better off with one that takes a gas bottle (I've a feeling shielding gas is a little more sensibly prices in France).

A friend with a Series 3 used to borrow my old Clarke 155 (I think the current equivalent model is the 160) and that seemed OK on chassis. His own welder was a nasty live torch 90 amp gasless which wasn't much help on a Land Rover.

So I'd go for a Clarke 160TE which despite it's name has a 150 or 155 amp max. Cheap but useable. Well worth throwing in another £50 for an auto darkening helmet. They make life much easier.

Low cost welders might be tricky to source in France. If you are in the UK occasionally you might save on postage.