MIG Welders

[gninnam]

Well, got the missus to agree that I can do the welding on the chassis to get it throught the MOT

Looking on ebay at MIG welders and I have seen one that looks like it's good values - a SIP TOPMIG Turbo 40 for £220 (RRP of £445).
Also get welding mask, regulator, chipping hammer/wire brush, professional Binzel compatible torch and earth cable with clamp.

What do all you welders think to something like this?
All responses will be welcome as I don't want to end up getting something
which is crap (if you know what I mean :lol: )

Cheers

 

[speedwell68]

I'm a self taught welder and I bought myself a Sip MIG Mate 130 from Halfords for £150. It isn't a bad little welder and can handle most jobs. That one sounds a little better. How many amps is it? A professional welder told me the more amps the better. Also check what wire size it uses, 0.6mm or 0.7mm are about ideal, much thicker than that and you can start to blow holes in thin repair panels.

 

[gninnam]

Cheers for your comments.
Just noticed a typo error in the description! It's 140amp and will take 0.6 - 0.8 and will go as low as 25amps.
Looks like I might be getting one for Xmas, roll on January (once I have my poptop installed that is :wink: )

 

[neil]

that sounds fine for driveway weldin . If u know a pub owner or landlord u can get ya gas of them 4 a few quid.

where did u find that i wouldn't mind on of them for my self

 

[gninnam]

Neil, this is the one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-SIP-TOPMIG-TURBO-140-MIG-WELDER-GAS-GASLESS_W0QQitemZ290063332356QQihZ019QQcategoryZ113743QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

Cheers

 

[ex-2cv-er]

Hiya

I'm looking into buying my first welder too (as well as learning to weld), for the impending Beetle resto...and then, I guess, ongoing rolling resto of the T25 and pickup :roll:

I found this website the other evening, and I figure you might find it helpful too

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

Buying Guides, Tutorials etc.

 

[TexasAirCooler]

Do you guys have "Miller" brand welders over there. I've used the tig, migs and wire feeders. Good machines as long as you keep to the simple units. Some of them have enough controls that might belong in a jet plan.

 

[Trikky2]

Bought myself one of those automatic electronic welding masks last month. Started welding back in the mid 70's. First time I could ever see what I was doing before striking the spark. Dont know why I didn't buy one years ago.

 

[Justin & Muttley]

I use a gasless Clarke MIG welder (about £150 from machine mart) - very handy for slightly breezy days where gas disruption would otherwise be a problem. Very simple to use too!
You're right about the self-darkening masks Trikky2, I'd be lost without mine (quite cheap from the USA via eBay if anyone needs one).
One thing to watch out for though... often MIG welders come with a 'FREE' mask that needs to be held with one hand rather than sits on your head like a hat - it's definately worth spending a couple of quid on a decent flip-down or self-darkener - Arc-Eye is very painful and dangerous!

 

[Trikky2]

Re :- One thing to watch out for though... often MIG welders come with a 'FREE' mask that needs to be held with one hand rather than sits on your head like a hat - it's definately worth spending a couple of quid on a decent flip-down or self-darkener - Arc-Eye is very painful and dangerous!

Absolutely - couldnt agree more - on top of which it is really rather useful to have two hands when welding.

 

[gninnam]

Cheers chaps - awaiting from a friend to see if he can get discount from B&Q.

Will look to get a good visor that sits on the head as well.

Noticed the other day that a delivery by BOC was being dropped off in out stores. Will see if I can do a deal with our store man (fat chance I think )

Cheers

 

[richbaker78]

i started with a SIP 150 Turbo - out of local free ads for £80 so worth checking for 2nd hand ones too. (watch out for dodgy wire feeds on SIPS tho otherwise good machines) most budget welders will get you going. Ive now got a massive Lincoln - its a great machine.

Defo get yourself a auto darkening helmet - it really helps as a beginner as you can see what you doing. There was a guy on Vzi doing em for £30 a while back....worth a check.

Finally Gas.....altho you wont think youlll need it to start...get a BIG bottle cos at a £10 a pop fromhalford you soon get thru it. Different people prefer differenet mixes...I favour argoshield myself but it slightly more expensive. I got ripped of by BOC for ages until I found out about Air Liquide - i pay £5 (i think) a month for the bottle (6ft tall!!) and a refill with argoshield is £17. BOC used to charge me more than double that for a bottle half the size.

 

[deathtrapcamper]

Im looking for a welder too think im goint to get this one http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/135te-turbo-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders/brand/clarke

took advise from a welder friend and he said i shouldn't need anymore than 130 amps for car work

also look at this site its great http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ loads of vids and tips for mig welding

one more thing after doing a bit of welding i couldnt do it without an auto darkening mask, found a nice miller one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130045733766&rd=1&rd=1 shipped from the states for 20$ i think

 

[deathtrapcamper]

Dont get a gasless welder ! they are rubbish apparently, never used one myself

 

[Justin & Muttley]

Never used one but think they're rubbish?
Use mine all the time, easy to learn with, simpler to use and great results too!

 

[gninnam]

Looks like B&Q are stopping doing the Cosmo range.
Went to my local one and they said that they have not replaced any
of the units they have sold and also they have a memo about SIP MIG
welder and problems with the spool feed!!

I asked my local Machine Mart and they to recommended the 135 so
thinks I will be getting that one soon!

Cheers

 

[aircooled_man]

The only (main) problem with SIP/Clarke welding plants are every year they seem to change the design so if you have it for a while and need spare parts your're as well to bin the whole thing or have a frankenstein's monster bodged together plant :twisted:

 

[gninnam]

The only (main) problem with SIP/Clarke welding plants are every year they seem to change the design so if you have it for a while and need spare parts your're as well to bin the whole thing or have a frankenstein's monster bodged together plant :twisted:

Thanks for the reply - confused - will be getting one in the next few weeks
for def - think it will be MachineMart as started before, but still open to
suggestions, unless someone has a good second hand one for sale

 

[Till]

The only (main) problem with SIP/Clarke welding plants are every year they seem to change the design so if you have it for a while and need spare parts your're as well to bin the whole thing or have a frankenstein's monster bodged together plant :twisted:

If you find a good welding supplier they should be able to get the parts you need for all welders.What i've found over the years with most 'hobby' welders is that most seem to use the same internals with just a different name on the side.If your welder just gives up it's usually the circuit board inside which should only cost you about £40>£50 rather than £150 for whole new welder.

 

[currylager]

Im looking for a welder too think im goint to get this one http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/135te-turbo-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders/brand/clarke

took advise from a welder friend and he said i shouldn't need anymore than 130 amps for car work

also look at this site its great http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ loads of vids and tips for mig welding

one more thing after doing a bit of welding i couldnt do it without an auto darkening mask, found a nice miller one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=003&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=130045733766&rd=1&rd=1 shipped from the states for 20$ i think

I've got one of those mate and very pleased with it. The wire feed mechanism is extremely reliable and you have the advantage of 3 power settings, most diy welders only have 2!! :wink: