Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

ts210 · Joined: 22 Nov 2012 Posts: 10 Location: SWANSEA

Hello everyone, i'm looking into buying a second hand Mig Welder to use on my MG B resto project, can anyone recommend what is the best set up to start with for a novice welder? Gas or No-Gas, power rating?? Thanks in advance! Ade

D4B · Joined: 28 Dec 2010 Posts: 2083 Location: Hampshire UK

I bought a Clark Mig135

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/135te-turbo-mig-welder

Very pleased with the results I have achieved with this, but dont bother with those disposable bottles, get yourself a proper regulator and some of this hobby gas...

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=54

Good Luck

Kelsham · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2012 7:10 pm Post subject:

Clarke welder, go for the most powerful you can afford.

Buy a decent automatic welding helmet.

The link for Adams gas is a good bit of advice.

Gasless is not very satisfactory it causes slag round the weld and makes it difficult to see the weld.

Try looking at the migwelding forum, google it.

You need clean metal to weld well. A good connection at the earthing clamp.

Body work is best done in short bursts, overlapping the previous weld.

Regards Kels.

baconsdozen · Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 1119 Location: Under the car.

Although a gasless produces a dirty weld and the clouds of smoke make it difficult to see whats going on for outside use they are better.
With no gas shield to blow away you can weld where a gassed set up wouldn't work so well.
The best way to learn is loads of practice on scrap steel.Weld it and then cut it up,bend it and break it to see how your welds worked.Paint,rust and underseal etc will make welding impossible and an auto helmet is well worth the money and so is a bucket of water or decent fire extinguisher.
_________________
Thirty years selling imperial hand tools for old machinery(Now happily retired).

MikeEdwards · Joined: 25 May 2011 Posts: 2472 Location: South Cheshire

Get the best one you can afford, and if you're buying secondhand try to get the seller to show you it welding or take it to someone who can weld, and get them to try it out.

The last thing you want to do is try to learn to weld, have trouble, and assume it's you rather than a rubbish welder.

And I second the forum at www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php - there's a lot of forum threads where you can post questions and a lot of very experienced welders who will help out, ideal while you're learning as it's very specialised as you'd expect from the name.