Gas/no gas welder?

Never welded before, but I have some patches to weld on the bulkhead...

Since the car is in bits taking it somewhere to have it done is out of the question. So I'm gonna tackle it myself.

Would you experts advise me on a welder that is suitable for beginners?
Also with a multitude of much cheaper no gas welders around, is it really worth the extra to go for the ones that take gas?

I don't want to spend a fortune, but need something relatively easy to learn with.

Thanks in advance
Chris

Gas

Will 100A suffice?

9chesh said:

Will 100A suffice?

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150 or bigger

Blimey ok, so a starter unit is gonna set me back in the region of £250...

Not really, 150 is much more versatile but watch out for cheapies with a lack of low power settings.

If your going to get one it might as well be capable of doing whatever you want to have a bash at as you learn

Look for better quality 2nd hand rather than cheap new if cost is an issue

Fair point, cheers...

Whatever you buy, weld as much scrap as you can to practice before heading onto the bulkhead.
Search ebay to see what is local to you secondhand. As already said, avoid gasless - been there done that! Never again!

I got a seigen 130 for about 130 quid a few years back ands its been great! gas every time

Clarke 151te ( blue) used to be good,short torch though

clarke stuff is now crap.


I'm looking at

Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i Dual Voltage 110V 240V Multiprocess Inverter Welder For Mig Tig Arc Welding inverter cheaper to run mig/tig or stick 15kg drum

Esab Caddy C200i vs Kemppi Minarc 180 | MIG Welding Forum but not 15kg reel

Or do we look at old school

Esab Origo Mag C201

I bought myself a 2nd hand Clarke 135te for £120 off flea bay a while back to repair my bulkhead too ( am planning to do it after Newbury when the missus and sprog bugger off for a couple of weeks! ). 30a-130a range should cover most fixes on the Landy, I would have preferred a bit more guts, but this was my budget.
As BB has said - make sure it's got low enough setting, or you'll be cutting the thin sheet steel rather than welding it!
Although I only had a small budget, I'd prepare to pay £200+ for a slightly better machine. You won't have to use it for long for it to have paid for itself ( compared to a garage/fabricator ).
I'm going to take plenty of pics of the process as I haven't found a comprehensive guide yet!
Oh, definitely gas.

I have a gas / gas less and can get a nice clean weld with both

Google for the "mig welding forum" There's lots of good advice on welders and some good tutorials which should help get you started.

Just because I ain't got a clue.... I have been offered a 150 gas cheap. But they guy says he's fished it out of his dad's garage and there's no gas bottle to check that it works properly...

With out gas is there a way I can check it's a worthwhile punt?

You really want to see it working before you buy it. If he wants to sell it surely it is not beyond him to get a small bottle and give you a demo.. Years ago I started with a gasless which gave me the general idea but when the machine went faulty I gave it to a mate and bought a gas set up. It all takes time but I can now do some quite passable welds, but sometimes it still comes out crap. The secret is to clean what you are welding back to bare metal if poss.. Most of the bits I do are rusty bits underneath cars. Have fun!

9chesh said:

Just because I ain't got a clue.... I have been offered a 150 gas cheap. But they guy says he's fished it out of his dad's garage and there's no gas bottle to check that it works properly...

With out gas is there a way I can check it's a worthwhile punt?

Click to expand...

Not really. But if he's a sound guy and doesn't know himself whether it works or not, he ought to honour sale or return in case it is knackered. Make / model/ location?

Secondhand is often good but 'fished out from back of garage' could be more trouble...

If he's a mate tell him to give you It to try of it works you will buy it if not he can have it back.

9chesh said:

Just because I ain't got a clue.... I have been offered a 150 gas cheap. But they guy says he's fished it out of his dad's garage and there's no gas bottle to check that it works properly...

With out gas is there a way I can check it's a worthwhile punt?

Click to expand...

buy a lil disposable bottle and take it along? it'll still turn on and splatter all over without gas.

just got myself a bantam for stick