Ok I am thinking of getting a welder just for odd ocansional use. Would like to use it on the car if need be.

Do i go for ARC, MIG with gas, MIG gassless

Are MIG better than ARC and if so why. I take it that a gasless MIG is useful for outside but does a gas weld make a better weld if so why

I have seen a 85amp MIG dual useage (gas/gasless) for about £120

Cliff

Cliff

Can you weld?

I would go for the biggest (highest powered) mig you can afford..

what do you call occasional use? think you may need to learn first..

I have

230A Mig
200A AC/DC Tig
Gas
Spot Welder

all for occasional use.. circa 3.5k

edited to add mig with gas!

David

[Edited by David_Wallis - 8/13/2003 2:35:28 PM]

No I can't weld hence don't want a professional setup. Thats why I want some info. Unless I get a welder I won't be able to learn will I.

I am good at electrical soldering so I see it as an extension of that. i have also watched my mate use an ARC welder.

My exhaust was rattling the other week and required welding, I had already tried other methods but nothing worked. So I took the rear box off and my mate but 4 spot welds on it using his ARC welder and its not going anywhere now.

So whats the difference between them in terms of weld quality and flexibilty. Also whats a TIG welder I know nothing about them.

Cliff

Soldering is nothing like welding..

I can do both..

Tig welding is expensive..

Arc Welding is old.. welders are cheap but not ideal for fabrcation and automotive..

A small Mig welder is what you need.. and plenty of practice..

www.machinemart.co.uk (http://www.machinemart.co.uk) do some good ones..

have a look through this forum as this isnt the first welder thread

David

PS..

Wheres poole

Poole is on the southcoast next to Bournemouth and not too far from SOuthampton, why ???

Could you explain the fundimental differences between the MIG and the ARC welder as both use an electric to heat the weld, both can come with variable control.

Cliff

Cliff,

Generalisation mode on! :)

MIG tends to be the favoured approach for thinner metals - e.g. car bodywork. It's a bit of a fussy sort though as it really only likes scrupulously clean metal to work on (IMHO this is a good thing - you get better welds and know you're welding to good metal). It tends to spit & spatter if you run into rust etc.

ARC, although adjustable, tends to be a more 'fierce' form of welding, although a well-trained welder can use it for bodywork.

I'm sure someone will shout me down, and yes it depends on the 'power of your equipment' :eek:, but I always tend to think of ARC as useful for big, crude (not the right word but you get the idea) jobs like welding two bits of angle iron together to make a shed frame, or welding a hinge back on a gate post.

MIG is, like I said, generally more for the 'delicate', thinner panel work.

TIG is more for specialised welding, such as alloys.

David's advice is good - get in touch with MachineMart and explain what you're after, failing that you could have a shufti in Halfords to get a basic (but probably expensive) idea of MIG units.

If you really get into MIG, it's worth getting a contract with BOC for Argoshield to use with a MIG, it's better than CO2.

Edited to add - you might like to try your local Adult Education college as some do evening courses in Welding.

Also - A WARNING - if you do use MIG on your car, remember to unplug things like the alternator, the ECU, and other sensitive electronic kit as the MIG electric current has been known to fry the bloomin things and a cheap weld ends up with an expensive trip to the motor factors/dealers!

Hope that helps,
Steve

[Edited by spider - 8/13/2003 5:21:12 PM]

I can get a dual MIG for about £120 its gas and gasless which is good.

cheers for the advice

CLiff

Dual isnt good..

Wire with flux in is crap, ive used both..

If you dont want to follow advice then fine.. but dont quote sh1t..

Get a MIG welder.

Not a Gasless Mig.. Buy Right, Buy Once.. small gas bottles will be fine for small - medium duty.. just unscrew reg of top of small bottles... will last longer due to no leaks..

David

I have a small dual mig, and TBH its a pile of cr4p, struggle to get decent welds no matter what i try.

Yet with one of Davids welder(s), i get reasonable welds for a beginner

Steven

[Edited by P20SPD - 8/14/2003 4:54:52 PM]

Twat :D

all points taken onboard thank you

CLiff

:D

Ps twat was @ p20spd. :D

David

TBH i wouldn't bother...
You also need a grinder,ramps or pit and then there's the danger of fire.
Pay someone else to do it.

I'd echo David's comments, get a MIG (130 amp minimum) & don't go the gaseless route. Rent a decent bottle of BOC or similar it's far cheaper if you use it enough than the little bottles.

D