MIG Welder??

[Seanl]

Thinking of getting a cheapy MIG as I may attempt my sills and jacking points myself. Never done any welding before but what I can gather is that it is easily picked up with a little practice. My question is this; is a 100 amp Mig man enough to do the very small amount I will really use it for? work as said, and maybe some arch work next summer, and then it will probs sit in the loft for a couple of years after that, before a very small amount of use again is more than likely all that it will ever get used for. Funds are in VERY short supply atm, but need the welding doing for MOT in November, hense the reason I'm thinking of getting one and doing it myself. (although another good to know skill and tool to have if ever required again).

Thanks chaps! 

[mcgee9t2]

If thats all your goingto use it for rent one. once you can weld neatly and strongly its proberbly a hour or so work tops. so one day rent should do and itl be cheeper than buying one then buying all the safety stuff.

i.e welding mask.  gloves.  proberbly best to get some over alls ect.

One days rent is proberbly less than youde spend just on ppe. and most places will give you the mask and other ppe for free or for next to nothing for the day.


Ide imagine 100 amp doing the job. though im no welder so ide double check.

[Seanl]

Thats a very good point as my old dear works for Brandon Tool hire, so I get stuff for 5 percent! Silly me, didnt think of that. 

[tshirt2k]

I taught myself to weld with a clarke 90A mig. Came in handy for many years. A welder is a very handy tool to have.

By the way, don't go thinking it will only be a days hire to do your sills. Unless you can do all the prep work before hand and get the welder when its all done. Even then it'll be longer than that to get it right.


You ideally want a fan cooled welder as it gives better duty. Whats your budget?

[DOA]

I bought one of these recently when I had to do rear arches, rear valance/quarter and various points around the sills and floor: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Wolf-Mig-140-Gas-No-Gas-Mig-welder-kit-/250889049403?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a6a27153b

I was expecting it to be complete crap (especially as it was cheaper being ex demo) but its actually pretty good for a beginners welder and has a decent range of adjustment. The kit that comes with it is pretty useless with the mask being completely useless (id advise getting a cheap active one, they pay for themselves) and the gas not lasting very long (bigger bottles available at machine mart) but the wire is alright. I never had any duty issues and trying to use it gasless was a waste of time (too much flux deposition) but I would defo recommend one for the money.

As tshirt2K says, dont expect to get your work done in a day and take a look at some youtube vids on welding panels before starting as you will probably need to use a tack welding like technique to minimise blowthrough and distortion. It was the first panel welding I had ever done (same boat as you, too skint to get it done elsewhere and willing to give it a bash although I have welded mig and tig before on much heavier stuff) and, once I had figured out what settings to use, it was really easy to pick up.

[tshirt2k]

Yea, forgot to say, if you do decide to start welding. Seam welding doesn't go well with body panels. Blow thru and distortion will happen with this method. Lots of little spots joined together is better.

[Sam]

Yea, forgot to say, if you do decide to start welding. Seam welding doesn't go well with body panels. Blow thru and distortion will happen with this method. Lots of little spots joined together is better. the only way

You need to work like you would tightening head bolts, just keep hitting up the diagonals. If your welder is good enough it should have a spot weld setting which limits the time and ampage that you have per spot to stop you blowing or warping. Best bet for practice would be start with arc welding and get decent with that then switch to mig. Arc gives you the controll and discipline that you need when welding. I wouldnt worry about big power if only doing pannels but bear in mind welding is highly addictive (never have 'cant be arsed to go to work' morning) so you will be offering people your new found 'skills'. It is also important as people have highlighted that your not going to get it in a day, I have been doing it full time all day 5 days a week on the machines and im only just starting to bond with it and learn how it behaves in all kinds of weld patters. I would recomend finding a welding mate and get them to give you an hours masterclass.

[Seanl]

Cheers DOA, I saw that one, and tbh that would be the top of my budget anyway. (was thinking more about a second hand Clarke or similar).

To all, thanks again and thanks for the heads up. I was thinking of hiring one for the w.end, but as said its a good tool to have. I dont have the time or money to get a TIG for practicing with, but I will pop into the workshops in work and ask for a run round and demo at least for a pack of Chocolate HobNobs! 

I've been looking at the demos, and reading up on MIG_Welding.co.uk, but what is the thickness of Auto bodywork, and can anyone recommend somewhere to get sheet metal?

Thanks again fellas! 

[pid]

Go to the guzz dockyard workshops (sfm) and get some cut offs to practice with. And I can't remember if the car club in drake has a welder. Might be worth a try just to see how u get on with it first???

[Seanl]

Yeah I work at SFM so was gonna go see FTSG or Babcock guys for some guidence tbh. I'm sure theres some scrap metal in the skips lying about as well!  Good point and noted about the car club too. Keep meaning to join, and for £12 membership and trade price parts, I've been a fool not to already!