MIG welding kit - advice

Hello,

I was thinking of getting a MIG welder and starting the long process of learning how to weld with the plan that in the future (having been bitten by the land rover bug in a big way) I'll be able to do some of my own repairs or even undertake a project.

I was thinking of getting the Clarke 150TE turbo welder. Would this be suitable for chassis work as well?

What other items of kit would I need? A mask seems essential.

I have read that cleaning up the metal prior to welding is almost as important as the welding itself, what sort of tools are particularly good for this?

Any tips or tricks would be much appreciated. i did a search but most of the info was about different types of MIG welders, which i found a bit confusing.

I’ll repay you all with photos of my inevitably terrible first attempts

D

payydg said:

Hello,

I was thinking of getting a MIG welder and starting the long process of learning how to weld with the plan that in the future (having been bitten by the land rover bug in a big way) I'll be able to do some of my own repairs or even undertake a project.

I was thinking of getting the Clarke 150TE turbo welder. Would this be suitable for chassis work as well?

What other items of kit would I need? A mask seems essential.

I have read that cleaning up the metal prior to welding is almost as important as the welding itself, what sort of tools are particularly good for this?

Any tips or tricks would be much appreciated. i did a search but most of the info was about different types of MIG welders, which i found a bit confusing.

I’ll repay you all with photos of my inevitably terrible first attempts

D

Click to expand...

Just ask Doc.......... He is a 2nd yr uni student and know's all about them things a real eggspert

Thor1950 said:

Just ask Doc.......... He is a 2nd yr uni student and know's all about them things a real eggspert

Click to expand...

Why don't you #### off back up your fat disabled arse.




Nothing wrong with a 150, I used a 130 to do chassis work with 3mm plate and the welds were spot on. Currently using a 190 and it ****es through most of the material I work with.
The 440 Butters one I also use will melt anything really……welded up some 8mm pieces with it the other day and they were perfect.


I'm able to test all my test welds on the denison too before you pipe up so do the world a favour and stop trolling because no one likes you

Thor1950 said:

Just ask Doc.......... He is a 2nd yr uni student and know's all about them things a real eggspert

Click to expand...

Ok thanks, whos doc?

oh, haha i see

I've got a clarke machine, not a 150 te but i have used one it was/would be adequate for chassis work. sealey also do some good machines. find a local place to source gas from and practice on some scrap/cutoffs it helps a lot to get the material as clean as possible. i use flap discs on the angle grinder to clean up the steel they leaves a much smoother finish.
Sam

Dr_evil said:

Why don't you #### off back up your fat disabled arse.




Nothing wrong with a 150, I used a 130 to do chassis work with 3mm plate and the welds were spot on. Currently using a 190 and it ****es through most of the material I work with.
The 440 Butters one I also use will melt anything really……welded up some 8mm pieces with it the other day and they were perfect.


I'm able to test all my test welds on the denison too before you pipe up so do the world a favour and stop trolling because no one likes you

Click to expand...

ok, great thanks.

Defender-Sam said:

I've got a clarke machine, not a 150 te but i have used one it was/would be adequate for chassis work. sealey also do some good machines. find a local place to source gas from and practice on some scrap/cutoffs it helps a lot to get the material as clean as possible. i use flap discs on the angle grinder to clean up the steel they leaves a much smoother finish.
Sam

Click to expand...

Thanks Sam. Think i can borrow an angle grinder so ill get some discs

Defender-Sam said:

I've got a clarke machine, not a 150 te but i have used one it was/would be adequate for chassis work. sealey also do some good machines. find a local place to source gas from and practice on some scrap/cutoffs it helps a lot to get the material as clean as possible. i use flap discs on the angle grinder to clean up the steel they leaves a much smoother finish.
Sam

Click to expand...

Flap discs are a gift from above

payydg said:

ok, great thanks.

Click to expand...

The fan cooled ones are decent, I used the 130 for about 8 hours on and off doing a chassis one day and it held up fine without cutting out.

Make sure you don't use flux though if not you'll have a lot of fun grinding back welds as it makes a right mess.

Pub gas is good enough, less mess than flux when it comes to spatter I find and the welds are nicer with higher penetration

Dr_evil said:

Why don't you #### off back up your fat disabled arse.




Nothing wrong with a 150, I used a 130 to do chassis work with 3mm plate and the welds were spot on. Currently using a 190 and it ****es through most of the material I work with.
The 440 Butters one I also use will melt anything really……welded up some 8mm pieces with it the other day and they were perfect.


I'm able to test all my test welds on the denison too before you pipe up so do the world a favour and stop trolling because no one likes you

Click to expand...

Doc never said a thing about the machine he was asking about 1 way or the other. Just said you was the eggspert, was giving you a complement.
Just look at all the eggspert advice you just gave.:clap2::clap2::clap2:

You got knappie rash today?

payydg said:

Thanks Sam. Think i can borrow an angle grinder so ill get some discs

Click to expand...

not a problem. spend some time on the mig welding forum (a search should throw it up) theres some good information and guides on there

I was thinking of getting a MIG welder and starting the long process of learning how to weld with the plan that in the future (having been bitten by the land rover bug in a big way) I'll be able to do some of my own repairs or even undertake a project.

I was thinking of getting the Clarke 150TE turbo welder. Would this be suitable for chassis work as well?
Yes no problem

What other items of kit would I need? A mask seems essential.
Defo a mask and gloves

I have read that cleaning up the metal prior to welding is almost as important as the welding itself, what sort of tools are particularly good for this?
Very important to clean up the area you are working on.. Get a grinder with wire brush and grinding disks as well as sanding disks.

Any tips or tricks would be much appreciated. i did a search but most of the info was about different types of MIG welders, which i found a bit confusing.
Some collages do a course on welding

I’ll repay you all with photos of my inevitably terrible first attempts
Best of luck it's not magic but a bit of practise and you will soon pick it up.

Dr_evil said:

Flap discs are a gift from above



The fan cooled ones are decent, I used the 130 for about 8 hours on and off doing a chassis one day and it held up fine without cutting out.

Make sure you don't use flux though if not you'll have a lot of fun grinding back welds as it makes a right mess.

Pub gas is good enough, less mess than flux when it comes to spatter I find and the welds are nicer with higher penetration

Click to expand...

Sorry if this is a stupid question but what is flux? does it work in the same way flux does for soldering?

Thanks for all the help

Ta Allyipod!

payydg said:

Sorry if this is a stupid question but what is flux? does it work in the same way flux does for soldering?

Thanks for all the help

Click to expand...

Yes ditch the flux and go for gas.

Thor1950 said:

Doc never said a thing about the machine he was asking about 1 way or the other. Just said you was the eggspert, was giving you a complement.
Just look at all the eggspert advice you just gave.:clap2::clap2::clap2:

You got knappie rash today?

Click to expand...

No you just take it upon yourself to try and **** me off or insult me at every chance you get wether it be related to the thread or not.

We both know you're being a sarcastic arse





And just for reference by disabled I meant american as its the same thing before some PC nonce pipes up about me slagging off people in wheelchairs etc :doh:

payydg said:

Sorry if this is a stupid question but what is flux? does it work in the same way flux does for soldering?

Thanks for all the help

Click to expand...

Yeah its just a shielding gas to stop the weld oxidising as it sets, leaves a slight slag on top like what you see with an arc weld and also gives a ****load of splatter!

The clarke 150te is adequate and trusty, my mig is a ERP 150 turbo (re-badged sealey) and it does the job for me although I use my arc welder if the steel is thick enough without burning through. As for a mask, true fusion will do a reasonable one (variable shade with spare lenses for about £30.)

Good on yer for having a go yourself.

Allyipod said:

Yes ditch the flux and go for gas.

Click to expand...

Sorry not gas but arrgon or the one from the pub....lol FFS dont use gas

I don't think this is breaking the rules:

MIG Welding Forum

There is a wealth of knowledge on there, and the members are really happy to help a noob out.

I ended up with a GYS Smartmig from weldequip (Mig welding forum sponsors), good reviews and it uses a euro torch, which means replacement parts etc are easy to get.

Steve from weldequip is really good, give him a call and he will give you plenty of good advice. I was a little unsure and he was only too happy to give good advice.

Not pimping them out, but I think good customer service stories should be passed on.