Hi all,

i'm just about to start learning how to weld and as it's for use on cars i figured a mig welder would be the best option from what i've read. can anyone here recommend a good entry level welder? i won't really need something with a huge output or duty cycle, just something to get me started.

cheeRS

tom

 

As long as it's not gasless you'll be fine.

 

why not gasless dude?

 

Cos they're crap! They are ok a hobby welder, but if you want to be patching floor pans, fitting panels etc you need gas IMO

 

I was speaking to a welder the other weekend on this issue, he uses a Gas Mig welder so i asked him what he thought. He said that he had seem some really shit welds from gassless Migs but also had seen some good ones. Gassless is good if your welding outside, if you use a gas mig outside the wind can disrupt the gas shroud thats means to form around the weld as you go.
Do not get a welder less than 150amp, otherwise it will not be man enough for the job. To sum it up gas is best

 

I'd love to see a good/strong gasless weld done by someone who was learning. I'd say its far easier to learn with gas. I can get half decent results with my old Halford's Gasless but you have to ensure surfaces are spotlessly clean and be very very slow and even then the weld is no where near as tidy. Just not worth it IMO.

 

sweet cheers for the replies guys. i'll get on the look out then.

 

i have a gas and gasless mig a sip 170 with gas or gas less it is spot on for welding cars gas less for a learner is better has you dont have to set the gas,also welding out side gas less is better due to wind,gas removes the oxygen allowing the weld to be hotter and stronger but on a car that is not as important unless it is affecting the strength of the car my mig is a ideal learner welder but not cheap i paid £600 brand new but have seen them on ebay for £400

 

Wrong. As well as providing a sheild to keep out contaminents and keep the area clean, the gas actually cools the weld. Gasless flux core is a much hotter weld and is easier to get blow through, hense why its harder to use.

 

Well i started off with a clarke 151 and then upgraded to a clarke 230 tec which cost £50 brand new

 

i got a snapon 150 welded and i weld alsorts with it ,gasless what a stupid idear they are

 

as others have already stated gas is better though its true if welding outside alot gas-less will proove better, due to the gas being blown away even in just a light breeze.

but i agree a gas mig would be best, and 150 amp is about best though slightly lower youd be ok

the gas-less mig will spit alot and look a worse weld.

 

i just bought a telwin 180/2 with a spot timer easy to weld with

 

spend the most money you can afford on a welder. iv'e used cheap 1's (crap) iv'e got same make as snap-on sell. you get what you pay for. iv'e had mine 20yrs with no probs. was well worth the £600 i paid for it.