Welding equipment

[Ivan141]

Guys,

I've had a good look at the rear of my car, and the general state of my old dapper-crapper volvo 360 and it seems to me that it would be wise for me to learn how to weld. There have been more times than I can remember when I've wished I had a welder at home to do this or that, and now I want to buy one.

But what to buy?
I'm led to believe that a MIG welder would be best for all-round work and ease of use.. and they say to get one with separate gas tank (not the gas-filled wire type).

Can anyone with experience give me some tips on what to look for?
How much amps, what wire thicknesses for car bodywork etc. etc.

Cheers..

[jamiemirror]

http://business.search.ebay.com/_Busines...QQsbrsrtZd

Choose wise !
I think plasma cutter + welder will be good combo (maybe combined in one single machine).

My choice is:
http://cgi.ebay.com/MTC160-inverter-ARC-...dZViewItem

OR if you want also aluminium welding capability:

http://cgi.ebay.com/welder-super-160-MMA...dZViewItem

It's good to have at least 120Amps (over 160 is overkill), 0.8mm wire (cheap consumable compared to 0.6 one), 1.2mm will be overkill.

[Ivan141]

hmm...I'm not too sure about the chinese stuff. Dont exactly have a good reputation quality-wise. BTW, does that thing handle MIG-style welding as well? I think TIG might be a bit too stiff of a learning curve for me.
A 130+ amp 0.6-0.8mm MIG welder is easy enough to find over here for around 400 euro's new, but if that chinese thing can handle MIG/TIG/Plasma cutting it might be worth some consideration.

[jamiemirror]

In fact in the near past AEG sold large quantity of electrical hand powertools (drills, grinders) made in Bulgaria (and rebadged). I worked in the plant at this time
I bet that almost all relatively cheap stuff is Chinese under "reputable" labels ...

[Ivan141]

I know..same story in the electronics business.. almost all home-use devices (dvd players etc) are made in china, but the big brands do keep a tighter quality control than the manufacturers there usually do.

Anyways...I think it's going to end up being a mig welder bought locally. Now just need to find one second hand or just pick one to buy new.

[adomz]

i was considering that purchase for a long time, almost the same time as i bought my rolla, som 6 months ago, cause it dould be a really less money costly to kame/learn it yourself...but i also can't make my mind what to buy...i was thinking of a MIG/TIG/CUT device...sooo tempting!!


my rolla's rear end in the boot, where the shox are bolted to the body is really really in bad shape, so i still think of it!!

adam

[delange]

have got the same problem as adomz, so I'm looking for a weldingmachine to, Ivan do keep in mind that it can be used with 220V unless you got a 380V circuit to.
and make sure when you buy it it includes everything youu need (machine,gasbottle, wire) cause sometimes they are sold seperatly.
I'm looking for a used one, so if anyone knowes someone please let me know, doesn't have to be TIG it's just to fill up the holes in the car

[adomz]

yeah.,..poor car...

will see what i'll get here...asked some peeps over here to see if they can offer me something like that with 3 tips...would be great to learn welding!

adam

[Ivan141]

Nice to know I'm not the only one.. BTW, I know most of the time the stuff sells separately.. the gas bottle's are really damn expensive. I can buy a new MIG welder set with everything I need for around 500 euro's.. and be sure that it will do fine for car repair..maybe it would be wise to find a co-sponsor.

[Roger]

I got a mig from "deca" 130 amp for 0.8 a 1 mm wire it works fine for 0.5mm/3mm.and for the ticker stuf i use "elektrode laspost"(dont know the englisch word?)