What welder to buy for a beginner?

With my series IIA comming shortly and loads of work still to go on the disco, I wanted to have a go doing some of the welding myself. Partly cos I'm cheap and don't want to keep paying people but I would also like to learn a little and have a go.

I've loads of scrap metal around to practice on, but the question is what is the best type of welder to go for? There are loads of quite cheap gasless mig welders for less than a ton - is it going to be good enough or is there a better alternative?

You will need a 150A MIG to do chassis welding. Don't bother with gas-less unless you are doing all the welding outside.

There are cheaper MIGs to be had from welding suppliers who will sell off old kit. I've had a Clarke 151 MIG for years now and it has served me well.

Once you have your MIG you will need to practise practise practise

This is a good place for tips and examples, the guy has taken a lot of effort with it.

MIG Welding - The DIY Guide

And specifically to your post:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/buying.htm

also I use pub co2 and regulator, bottles cost £12 each and have no weekly rental like air products or BOC

If you use disposables they will cost a fortune.

Lastly the better welders compared to hobby ones have a longer lance and less voltage fluctuations.


Mines a 205 clarke from machine mart

co2 is ok and have used it my self for years but i got a full big bottle of argoshield light for £50 (out the back door) and will never use co2 again and if you are thinking of getting a beter welder in the future then get it now a pro. welder will be easyer to learn with

We went for a semi-pro Oerlikon 250A Solomig, with a full-size Argoshield equivalent gas bottle.

Buying the slightly larger machine takes you out of the cheapo stuff which really isn't worth the money you pay, half the time.

Spares were required as it had a broken handle, but Oerlikon came through with everything we asked for, and very inexpensive.

It takes 15kg reels of wire which are cheaper pro-rata than the tiddly ones.

It's a big lump, but the quality shows.

Peter