john_d

im looking to buy 1 of these puppies, does 1 have the performance advanage over the other?

im not looking to spend too much as ive never welded before but i think it'd be handy to have and we all have to start somewhere

chaffe

Im assuming you mean MIG welder mate? tig is really only for high end stuff and is not an ideal/cheap starting off with. Plus all TIGs use gas, as for migs though, i would go gas all the time, you get a better looking weld, that is stronger and you are less likley to burn through thin steel with it (car bodys for example). you should get a half decent mig for 185 quid from machine mart or the likes, get one that is fan cooled as ones that are not will cut out after a while. Hope this helps

john_d

yeah i do, shown my newbieness already on the subject eh

muz

Always buy Gas. Gas is easier to use as well for beginners.

Turbosimpsons

iTrader: (3)

gas
no gas

Chip

iTrader: (3)

Dont get a gasless one, they are shite

bigjohn0

Gas all the way and make sure you buy a good mask that covers the whole of your face as you will get a nice tan if you dont ,,,,,lol Take it from me cos it hurts like hell

Chip

iTrader: (3)

Fastglass mask is the way to go, I hate using a fixed one these days and you can get auto ones really cheaply now.

john_d

there seems to be a shit load of those no gas type, makes it harder to find the gas type

bigjohn0

I use a auto one chip and it really does make a diff. Just ask the wife as her face cream is lasting longer now,,,,,,,,lol

dakar

iTrader: (1)

Yep that about sums them up

bigjohn0

Mondeo try this mate http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/pr...-90-mig-welder

john_d

yeah i saw that, is 90amp an ok size though?

i thought it was maybe a bit small?

chaffe

depends on what your welding, i would prob go a bit bigger just incase you ever need it for thicker stuff, maybe 130 amp, 90 is fine for most car stuff, just depends if you are going to be welding thicker stuff?

john_d

mainly car stuff but you never know.

cossiecrew

gas allday long also the snap on welding mask just for the alien look lol

crumpet

i have a clarke thing thats gas and no gas, no gas its shite! gas its ok cost me Ł100 too

ltd st200

As above mate gas all the way just remember the mask as arc eye isnt nice trust me

BIG WULL

iTrader: (5)

Splash out, buy the best you can afford and you wont be dissapionted. Def gas/argon tho. Although i've heard bottled Co2 from the pub works well too
Buy shite you buy twice imo

crumpet

yea get gas for Ł11 from halfords or similar, non gas flux coated wire is shit, you cant get the right penetration and welds are weak and are dirty as a prostitutes arse...Gas and a good earth is where its at!

muz

I personally don't like CO2, but if your gunna grind the welds down it don't really matter. I always use Argo sheild.

cabriolet

alright to say use argoshield but without a contract on the southcoast u pretty stuffed

Venetian Fred

Halfrauds gas lol.........yeah right 11 quid for a couple of minutes worth of gas.
Your all also missing the point here with the 'higher the wattage the better' idea.
The thing is here for welding car body work its the other end of the scale you need-
Ie A mig that goes down low.Basically all the Chinese cheap as chips welders dont even go down to 60amps never mind the 25-30 amps you need to weld thin sheet steel.
Also dont disregard the flux cored wire welders.Ok they are crappy and dirty to use but in some conditions(ie outside)there worth there weight in gold.

Its alright if you do most of your welding inside you dont have to worry about your expensive gas getting blown away or having to set your gas at 40lpm lol

Your right about the argon v pub gas(co2).
Pub gas is meant for welding thicker steel.you get a hotter weld pool with this.
Argon mix is the way to go for thin stuff.
Anyway i hope this helps.

rs tingle

iTrader: (1)

iv got a speedglass mask the lenses are easy to get hold of to iv had mine for nearly 6 year now an never use gasless welders there not as strong weld an it looks shite an to be honest i wouldnt buy a new welder iv always brough the older type welders as they seem to be good welders id say anythink over 150 amp is a good welder although the the 90-100 amp can be good welders use the good wire dont buy the cheap stuff an id buy a midium gas bottle an fill with co2 just as good as argoshield an it only costs round Ł3 to fill the throw away bottles are jus a waste of money . if ya welding outside if its windy get a shield as it can blow the gas away an it will be a gassles weld hope this helps . clark are good welders so are snap on ones, murex are good also ceabora i think thats how ya spell it

martynhomer01

iTrader: (1)

as big john said...............................


it fuckin hurts if you dont!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

trudtfish

I bought the Clarke 135TE for welding my XR2i, Easy to use once you get the hang of it. Ideal for a beginner. Just make sure the metal is clean or it spits like hell! It hurts when you get a fizzer in the ear!

Venetian Fred

Or down the side of your shirt down your neck OOOOOOOUCH!
Its a good little machine the clarke 135te.It always gets top reviews.
My mates abused one of them for years and its still going strong.Its been
ran over on numerous occasions,survived a flood and im sure it was once kidnapped by Somali pirates but thats another story lol.
One thing you really need to remember when welding cars though is if you can,get a mate to 'fire watch' for you above where your welding.
also a fire extinguisher nearby is a wise move.