What welding kit?

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Kiwi Jim

Active Member
Posts
60
Location
Spalding
I've stripped down a large proportion of my Discovery 1 and now it's time to start putting it back together. So I'll be welding panels and patches. As a novice, I've been told that I'll need a MIG welder, and would be best using CO2/Ar gas... but what welding kit should I get?
How many Amps will I need?
What are my options?
Any recommendations?
 
/Automatic darkening mask/
This.

I use big yellow Ar/CO2/O2 (yes, oxygen) mix cylinders that are labelled as "HobbyWeld 5". Not sure of the manufacturer but mine come from SDL Minorfern who are a motor factors local to me. I pay something like £75 refundable deposit for each bottle, then about £40 to swap an empty for a full one. Vastly cheaper than the disposable bottles, and no weekly rental.
 
Hi,
I'm using a "Jasic 200" Mig welder. 0.8mm wire with a regular CO gas.
Do not forget the welding mask, gloves and welding jacket (many people tend to pass on the gloves and jacket, I can say from a personal experience, having flames all over you is not a nice thing...)
I use Miller jacket and some cheap no name gloves from the nearest hardware store.
If you have the budget, buy a 3M mask, the cheapest 3M mask is much better than the cheap Chinese one. I used a cheap Chinese mask for years, when I tried a 3M mask of a friend of mine I suddenly understood why it costs more (and I had a 3M one 2 days later :) )

Enjoy...

PS, many parts made of Aluminium, that is a whole different story to weld Aluminium. Mig is good for the floor, roof etc.
 
I have used a 'Maypole 120' bought secondhand over 15 years ago. Copes with any 'car gauges' of metal using .8 wire. Changed over to gasless (wire with integral flux) Cheaper to operate and the smaller reels mean that the wire is fresher when not being used frequently. Good advice about the reactive mask, wouldn't be without one of those. Gauntlet gloves of course. Don't forget a good stock of grinding discs. My welding is definately not pretty but skill with a grinder goes some way to compensate!
 
The better the welder you can afford the easier it is. A 90-100 amp machinemart one is fine for bodywork but you'll struggle with the duty cycle on say 2/3mm
 
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