Mig Welder for under £200 to start work on my 635 csi
Discussion
Could someone advise me on a mig welder run from 13am supply to work on the bodywork of my 635 csi
I'm not interested in hours of debate about various technicalities - I just need someone who bought welder to use on his car bodywork and tell me buy this or that it works well...that's it...thank you....
I'm not interested in hours of debate about various technicalities - I just need someone who bought welder to use on his car bodywork and tell me buy this or that it works well...that's it...thank you....
ERP Mig 150 Amp.
Works perfect on bodywork & I have used it up to 6mm weld depth in one run, 8mm by doing both sides.
Bought 15 years ago & replace last year due to abuse by "mate" cannot fault it.
IIRC it came in at £195, but I live local so delivery may come into it if you don't live anywhere near Hull.
Works perfect on bodywork & I have used it up to 6mm weld depth in one run, 8mm by doing both sides.
Bought 15 years ago & replace last year due to abuse by "mate" cannot fault it.
IIRC it came in at £195, but I live local so delivery may come into it if you don't live anywhere near Hull.
Edited by andyiley on Sunday 15th December 08:08
I've had a Clarke 151 for years. Does everything I need it to do.
Does gas and no gas. Problem with the gasless is that its very dirty & the weld needs a good clean.
Don't bother with the little gas bottles they last about 5 minutes, you will need a proper regulator & a decent sized bottle. Either from BOC - I have a trade account & reclaim the costs through my business - or there are a number of companies that will sell you the bottle then you just pay for refills (they swap the bottle for a full one)without the annual rental charge of BOC.
Would also suggest Argon or Argon mix.
Get one of the auto darkening helmets. Only regret I have with mine is that I didn't buy it a lot sooner!
Does gas and no gas. Problem with the gasless is that its very dirty & the weld needs a good clean.
Don't bother with the little gas bottles they last about 5 minutes, you will need a proper regulator & a decent sized bottle. Either from BOC - I have a trade account & reclaim the costs through my business - or there are a number of companies that will sell you the bottle then you just pay for refills (they swap the bottle for a full one)without the annual rental charge of BOC.
Would also suggest Argon or Argon mix.
Get one of the auto darkening helmets. Only regret I have with mine is that I didn't buy it a lot sooner!
Edited by paintman on Sunday 15th December 10:29
I'd consider looking for stuff secondhand - I think welders are the sort of item that can be got at good value as used kit, cos its the sort of kit that folk will buy and not use, or buy, use and then move up a grade/size.
I got a bargain of a little clarke gas/gasless for about 80quid some years ago. It got my rapidly oxidizing E30 through a couple of MOTs.
The other advantage is even if it's a bit worn, you can frequently get spares for the more popular stuff.
I got a bargain of a little clarke gas/gasless for about 80quid some years ago. It got my rapidly oxidizing E30 through a couple of MOTs.
The other advantage is even if it's a bit worn, you can frequently get spares for the more popular stuff.
I've not heard much positive about gasless MIG, you are probably better off trying to pick up a decent second hand gas mig or paying a little extra for a new one.
Hobby MIGs will run off normal domestic electric supply no problem.
You wont need a massively powerful MIG to do panel work on an old BMW as the steel is pretty thin but you will need to practice first!
It would be a good idea to pop along to this site http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tutorial.htm loads of good info on there....
Hobby MIGs will run off normal domestic electric supply no problem.
You wont need a massively powerful MIG to do panel work on an old BMW as the steel is pretty thin but you will need to practice first!
It would be a good idea to pop along to this site http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tutorial.htm loads of good info on there....
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