Recent MIG Welding thread

[CAPP0]

Morning all - there was a thread running recently about welding/welders/MIG etc, which I remember posting on, but try as I might I cannot find it using the search. It may have been an older thread which popped up again. There were discussions about what to buy/what not to buy etc. Can anyone point me at it please?

Ta.

[TheProfessor]

If you cant find the original post or link, I can recommend the guys who frequent this forum if your after any MIG welding related advice:

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php

Regards

[CAPP0]

Thanks, I'll check there. I know on the thread here there were recommendations of what to buy/what NOT to buy which would be useful.

[McWigglebum4th]

Depends on your budget and intended use

I have a lincoln MIG and to be honest I think it is utterly excellent but it retails at nearly a grand brand new.

Before that I had a Clarke 130 which is a third of the cost brand new and it was total and utter cack

[TheProfessor]

Steer clear of "hobby" MIG's, cheap SIP, Clarke etc.

They have cheap wire feed systems that will be a ball ache and not worth the effort.

Have a look on Ebay for a half decent machine say from Cebora, Murex, Lincoln, ESAB etc.

I have a mid range Cebora with a Euro torch and decent wire feed assembly.

You wont go wrong with advise from the forum I posted the link up to.

[droopsnoot]

Is this the thread? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[CAPP0]

droopsnoot said:

Is this the thread? http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

Yes! Thanks - no idea why I couldn't find it.

Thanks for the other advice above also. It will be used in a hobbyist capacity, initially to sort out a few problems on my Landie, and for whatever in future.

[J4CKO]

Another vote for the Clark welders, they are fine for basic tasks and set up right they weld well, try welding car bodywork with gasless or on pub gas 0.8 wire and it cranked up to the max and you will have bother, drop down to a decent Argon/CO2, on 0.6 wire, practice on scrap, use an auto dimming helmet and you are off and running, I wouldn't recommend someone who is new to welding going and spending £300 on some ex garage equipment off Ebay, chances are its had a hard life. Most of welding is prep, having the right tools and common sense, a good welder will be able to do plenty of work on a hobby Mig to a good standard, the higher end stuff is better but it takes a while to get to a standard where you will notice the difference, you will be welding the torch to things, spattering everywhere, blowing holes whatever you use. You will need stuff like grinders, wire brushes, gauntlets, masks, files, tin snips, clamps, vice and a whole host of other stuff you didn't know you would need, or even existed.

Take your time, if its bodywork dont overheat the panel and always have a source of water handy, you will set fire to stuff, underseal, carpet, trim, bottles of meths, pets, hair, overalls etc.

[CAPP0]

Thanks, I'll have a look.

I have done a fair bit of arc welding and also oxy-acetylene, back in the day, but we're probably talking 20 years ago now. So. I'm not a complete stranger/novice, but haven't used a MIG before.