Mig welders

[matthewmosse]

Hi there, I could do with some advice on mig welders. What brands work well or badly. I want to use it for car bodywork repairs on our rather rusty fourtrak, so it will get a rather intence workout for a few months whilst the body, which I've removed and turned upside down to remove all traces of tinworm and gets basically rebuilt. Then it will be retired to the back of the shed. So, would I be better off using the disposable argon bottles or adding a boc bottle to the oxy acet that I already rent? I've no idea as to the ammount of welding time you get out of the disposable thingys. Other than that, what goes wrong on migs? any 'dud' brands out there to avoid? The thickest stuff I'll be likely to weld is 2-3 mil by the way as I'm a confirmed stick welding fan:thumbsu: Cheers for any advice. Matt

[northernpesant]

I got a clarke 100 turbo. its ok for bits of brackets and welding exhausts.
the machine mart gas bottel that carries double the volume some bottels hold,lasted me an afternoon patching up a mates diversion exhaust.
had to stop work several times to let the welder cool.
so i would say get the biggest yon can afford (at least 150 Amp turbo).Throw away the small cheap regulator that comes with them.
rent a carbon argon mix gas bottel and a decent regulator from boc.then you will be able to work on most things without anoying holdups.

[matthewmosse]

I've been offered a 'Sip 150 ideal' for £100? gonna goo look on fleabay if thats a good price. I wonder if oxy or acetelene regs would fit? Ps anyone kow of a use for old and very old oxy acatelene kit, Its apparently too old for modern pressure containers:rolleyes:

[Sir Ewok]

Oxy regs are no good for Mig bottles, but a 150 amp for a ton isn't too bad. I have an Automaster 185 amp, which is about the biggest 240v unit you can use. Much above that you are into industrial kit and three phase, mine cost around £600 new. I rent an Argoshield bottle from BOC at around £50 a year. The little bottles are OK for occassional use but the Halfords (and similar) size bottles last around 10 minutes weld time. You can buy a regulator to fit the BOC bottle, which the gas lead should fit. If it doesn't ie. fits the sodastream type bottle then it is meant for amateur use and won't stand too much usage.....

[matthewmosse]

Thanks for the advice, uncharacteristiaclly I'm gonna follow it:thumbsu: so I'll buy said mig, rent a bottle and get the reg to link it up if needed. I had my doubts about the silly little soda stream style things anyways. Just not keen on yet another boc bottle in the shed to pay for, still just while I fix the car I suppose:cool: then its back to oxy acet:thumbsu:

[strima]

Not an ideal choice but I've got a JCB gassless MiG that is great for little jobs like that. The only real downfall I've found is that it produces a hell of a lot of spatter.

Just means more cleaning up afterwards.

Still hinting to the missus to buy me a TiG welder but I doubt that will happen in a very long time!!! :rolleyes::D

[Sir Ewok]

Not an ideal choice but I've got a JCB gassless MiG that is great for little jobs like that. The only real downfall I've found is that it produces a hell of a lot of spatter.

Just means more cleaning up afterwards.

Still hinting to the missus to buy me a TiG welder but I doubt that will happen in a very long time!!! :rolleyes::D

Excessive spatter is a given when welding rusty car floorpans etc, due to the oxydizing of the rust particles. It doesnt matter how much you wire brush the area, some Ferrous Oxide will remain to burn like napalm when you are welding underneath it. This is why I don't weld cars, I get someone else to do it..... :thumbu:

[strima]

Get a lot of spatter even on clean metal. I think as the weld is exposed to oxygen, as there is no gas barrier, and the flux in the core just create a messier job. Still get some lovely welds but just takes more time to clean up, the added bonus is I don't have to shoot off down town to get new gas!!!! :D

[peter-dog]

this is a good site or info www.mig-welding .co.uk also try adams gas for bottles they are the cheapest that i have found

[strima]

this is a good site or info www.mig-welding .co.uk also try adams gas for bottles they are the cheapest that i have found


Thanks for that, now bookmarked!!! :D