Help, need some advice...

[Tiger]

Right not posted this in GG as want some decent advice. No offence to GG bods :-) and I know that this anything to do with my TVR.

So sensible TVR people here goes.

Right I need do some welding.... Never done it, but always wanted to try so I need to weld up my old Land Rover. Nothing too hard to start with just some flat plate to go over rotten footwells.

I have cut all the rotten stuff away with trusty angle grinder and pop riverted said new steel into place. Now all I need to do is weld around the sides so its MOT friendly.

Question is whats a good place to start, I've seen hobbie ARC welders for about £60 up to 150amp with a starter kit. Is this a good way to go? Should I spend a bit mnore and get a MIG welder, I think Gas maybe a bit overkill?

[billynomates]

Rev....answer the mans question

[zumbruk]

Go and do an evening class (right time of year, innit). They'll teach you how to weld. Starting by welding upside down with a cheapo arc welder is not a good place to start.

[mick_coupe]

I think you'll need a mig welder for thin plate !

Mick

[Big Al.]

I would suggest a MIG welder, Arc welder is OK for heavy gauge tube and plate but you won't get the finish you require to successfully weld sheet metal

Oxy acetylene is OK but not a fast as Mig, you also have the added problem of setting other things alight!

Good suggestion to get some tuition, either from night school or someone has done it before. It’s not rocket science it just needs the fundamentals shown, then practice, practice. practice.

[Roobarb]

You need a continuos bead to pass the MOT. Getting a continuos bead is not something you can do in half an hour after picking up a torch. The easiest thing to use is a mig welder. Buy some steel plate similar in thickness to what you will be using on the car and prictice - alot. If you can make yourself a container that will hold water without leaking then you've cracked it. Have fun !

[SXS]

Matt, have a chat with David Smith, his email: [e-mail]

He does his own welding and stuff, should be able to help out...

[Stamp]

Mig is the way to go. Arc will burn away thin steel. The draw back with mig is the surfaces to weld must be really clean to avoid splatter. You can get anti splatter spray which helps.
DON'T get a gasless mig, get one with gas. I used to take my bottle to the local brewery who recharged it for nothing.
If you take up an evening class, there might even be a good on site mig you can use in your own time, just so you can get accustomed.
ALL, IMHO.