what you think

[b20wnx]

hi guys can i ask what you all think of these welders?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/170730547416?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/250889049403?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648

 

[oilcooled :)]

save your money a bit more and get something decent ie clarke

 

[cumbriasteve]

The Wolf would make a good boat anchor, I had one....and the other is a Chinese cheapie.

I think you are doing what an awful lot of us did when we started ...looking for something on the cheap side and hoping they work well, am afraid you will find they tend not do and even worse you could end up wasting your money.

Clarke is about as good as you get within the hobby range.

 

[shenion]

The first has a minimum current of 60 amps. Would be useless for bodywork.

Second is Wolf, they have been hit and miss, mostly miss. Went bankrupt.

Maybe you should say what you want to weld. It is hard to recommend options if we don't know what you need to weld.

 

[b20wnx]

thanks for the input - i am wanting to weld body parts on my series 3 landrover including some chasis work, i have never welded before and didnt want to spend an awful lot just incase i am crap or dont take to it. i would also like to make a BBQ out of a couple of oil drums i have and who knows what else once i get into it. after careful consideration and budgeting i have a max of £200 but dont want to go down the 2nd hand route as i have no idea what to look for etc and have been bitten before when i bought a clarke 100e which went tits up before i could use it.

 

[Wozzaaah]

So...you want a NEW welder with enough guts to weld a land rover chassis but you don't want to spend over £200?
Good luck with that!
You'll struggle to find just a half-decent machine on it's own for that, let alone adding in the cost of wire, gas, tips, mask, gloves etc. into the equation.

 

[slimjim]

thanks for the input - i am wanting to weld body parts on my series 3 landrover including some chasis work, i have never welded before and didnt want to spend an awful lot just incase i am crap or dont take to it. i would also like to make a BBQ out of a couple of oil drums i have and who knows what else once i get into it. after careful consideration and budgeting i have a max of £200 but dont want to go down the 2nd hand route as i have no idea what to look for etc and have been bitten before when i bought a clarke 100e which went tits up before i could use it.

If you buy a welder on price with a limit of £200, then you will be carp and won't take to it, give up and save yourself £200

 

[cumbriasteve]

If £200 is your limit then I'm afraid you are limited to poor quality new machines that will make you feel learning to weld is a nightmare, probably resulting in you throwing it to the back of the shed and never learning properly.

Like it or not, for a decent hobby type new machine and the associated equipment, you are looking at nearly double your budget.

 

[b20wnx]

ok so £200 budget is realistic for a new one. what about a used machine? the only problem with that is i dont know what i am looking at if i go see it so it could be money down the drain (unless i hit lucky) i have one number from a member on here to call to see what he/his shop can do.
so if i went the second hand route, what machine should i look for? what sort of power? pitfalls to bear in mind, obvious recognisable faults etc. where if you were a complete novice would you go to buy one?

 

[cumbriasteve]

I think the ideal machine for you would be a Clarke around the 130 to 150 amp range, it drops low enough for panel welding and has a bit of power for heavier chassis sections.

I think the only way to buy one if you know nothing about them is ask the seller to weld some material with it, if it runs nice and even and the welds look ok then you are about there.

If it can't do that or the seller shows any sign of being unwilling then it's likely there is something wrong, don't fall for the 'it only needs a service kit' crack, if thats given then ask him to fit one and adjust the price once it is done and working well.

If it's a Clarke then tips, shrouds etc are cheap enough and easily got.

Remember it's better to walk away with your money in your pocket then with doubts and a possible bad buy.

 

[F.J.]

I notice your from Wakefield! I bought an old Butters from a place in Pontefract not too far from junction 32 M62. Cant remember the name but you could google something? It was a place that bought equipment from workshops/garages, some that had gone bust or just upgrading thier equipment. The Butters ive got is 240v 180amp and is an absolute belter. It looks dated but it had been reconditioned internally. Ive done loads of body work with it and also welded plenty of 6-8mm flat bar/plate (Prepped properly of course). Cant fault it and it only cost £180.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

you should get a nearly new 151en for about that mark but a 130en should do, there natty little welders and will give anything a go

 

[keith19]

Just a thought, have you any friends, relatives, mates who would like to do a bit of welding? If so, think about clubbing together to get a decent machine between you, but make sure you pay the larger share so you get to keep it at your place, and they borrow it now and then as needed. A bit inconvenient at times, but one way of getting started.

 

[Shox Dr]

i am wanting to weld body parts on my series 3 .

A point no one has picked up on.


The body is Aluminium. Not possible with a MIG at that price level

 

[b20wnx]

yes thats correct shox dr, what does that mean exactly. i need to spend a fortune on one or i am better off replacing or glueing!!!!!!

 

[b20wnx]

fj tried a google search of the place, came up with loads of places and found one that selling one exactly like yours but with no price, have emailed to see what they come back with.
with all the other comments about welders it seems that the clarke welder 130 upwards is the best one to get, is there any other ones that can be recommended or are we stuck on clarke

 

[Shox Dr]

While it is possible to weld Aluminium with a MIG set, you need a lot of amps, also the torch setup, and feed roller mech on cheap sets are not very good at coping with the thin and very soft, wire required.

 

[Robotstar5]

While it is possible to weld Aluminium with a MIG set, you need a lot of amps, also the torch setup, and feed roller mech on cheap sets are not very good at coping with the thin and very soft, wire required.

Does that apply to Birmabright (Land Rover bodywork) or do you need an exotic wire type? I've only heard of Tig welding or the "Lumiweld" type.

 

[Paul.]

Does that apply to Birmabright (Land Rover bodywork) or do you need an exotic wire type? I've only heard of Tig welding or the "Lumiweld" type.

For all practical purposes Birmabright is just a 5 series aluminium / magnesium alloy, uk designation is NS4, nothing special, it can be easily welded using 5356 filler rods or mig wire, but as shox says, unlikely to be successful with a cheap mig set.

 

[Shox Dr]

I haven't a clue what LR are made from (Less of the jokes)

What I will say is LR Panels are very nice to TIG weld