Welder recommendations

[jas915]

Hi looking to buy a welder any recommendations of a good budget one to buy.
Thanks

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[clift_d]

Get yourself on the mig-welding.co.uk forum - loads of great advice and really knowledgeable members:

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/

[Ant-t]

+1 for this ^^^ a very helpful bunch, it might be a learning curve for you but it's well worth it in the long run, good luck!

[tobydog]

I've got a Clarke one similar to :-
https://www.machinemart.co.uk/p/pro-90-mig-welder/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; (circa 1985) still going strong
Definitely a learning curve if you've never done welding. All the controls need tweeking and best used on a still day outdoors. Make your "patches" fit well without gaps and weld to decent metal. Bought an arc activated mask last year, but I've not used it yet....

[RogerT]

An automatic darkening mask is a great help. I’ve just got a Lidl’s one but it’s fine. Also use plenty of light on your work area, helps to get lined up before you start welding. I’ve two Lidl’s halogen floodlights I use (converted to LED).

Practice is a big help, both on thin metal and heavy gauge, so you learn to avoid burn through and don’t build up too much material in thin metal, and get decent penetration on heavy gauge.

I use one of these. Does me ok.
https://www.weldability-sif.com/pages/v ... E-230V-1ph" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[100leelee]

Agree with all the previous comments..
Auto mask a must have
Practice, you will get better quickly
0.6mm wire on most areas will be enough
Don’t bother with cored wire, use gas
C02 and argon mix will be better in terms of finish
Make patches the best fit u can
Buy a bender for straight edges, machine mart sell one, well worth the money
Make sure everything is clean before welding
Collect cereal box cardboard for making templates!
Most panels are available, but not all


And enjoy,,

[sarran1955]

Hello,

Agree with all the previous comments..
Auto mask a must have
Practice, you will get better quickly
0.6mm wire on most areas will be enough
Don’t bother with cored wire, use gas
C02 and argon mix will be better in terms of finish
Make patches the best fit u can
Buy a bender for straight edges, machine mart sell one, well worth the money
Make sure everything is clean before welding
Collect cereal box cardboard for making templates!
Most panels are available, but not all


And enjoy,,

May I add, wear a cotton, not polyester jacket, have proper gloves, so you dont get sparky wrists..

Leather boots, preferably without laces....,avoids the dance of the burning socks...

Don't wear rings, chains, bank card or phone, DC welding generates a good magnetic field..

As for the plant, I would suggest looking for one with a proper eurotorch fitting, rather than the lead out of the box type, an MB 15 torch is good for small car work.

In France it costs the same as 2 years rental to buy a compact re-fillable bottle of Mison 8 Ar/CO2.

Get a 2 dial gas gauge, as 19/7 beginners use far too much gas, 6-8 l/min is fine

I have had my German made single phase 170A ERFE Compact MIG/MAG plant for 20 years.

Still available....

Hope this is helpful,

Cordialement,

[tobydog]

Connect the earth clamp close to where the welding is taking place

[Ant-t]

Leather boots, preferably without laces....,avoids the dance of the burning socks...

Classic!