Philbo
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 10:13 AM |
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MIG welder - what amperage?
Have bought a chassis but will need a MIG welder for all of the small jobs required to finish the (race) car. What amperage MIG welder do I need for I
guess up to 3mm steel joins? Also I guess I should avoid the gasless jobs, right?
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Hornet
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 10:27 AM |
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You will get lots of replys offering different advice... all GOOD 
I believe 150amp is perfect.. gives good penetration with a bit to spare. I did some of my chassis with a 100amp.. but i am much happier with my NEw
one
You will probbaly get a dual one anyways.. but yes avoid gasless.
 
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kingr
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 10:54 AM |
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Seconded, I'd say 150 is about right, and they're generally not much more than lower ones. I'd be inclined to say if you've
got the money, go for quality rather than quantity. You'll get much nicer smoother welds, they're better build, the wire drive is more
reliable..... As with everything, you get what you pay for, I guess it just depends how much you think you'll use it, and how much you care
about having really nice welds.
Kingr
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Viper
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 06:06 PM |
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Get the biggest you can afford if the machine can run 300 amp then you will have a more stable arc at the low settings), and best if it can run 15kg
drums of wire (cheaper in the long run), if poss get one with a euro connector on the torch (easy to change when the torch gives up)...
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Philbo
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 06:47 PM |
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Thx chaps, now I know what I am looking for I just need to source the thing...
Another thing, where do people source the miscellany of nuts and bolts, nylocks, self tapping screws etc from, and how do you know what to buy?
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theconrodkid
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 07:54 PM |
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try www.screwfix.com,they deliver next day and keep all the popular sizes
who cares who wins
pass the pork pies
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macbrew
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 08:35 PM |
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I seemed to do ok with a 90, cycle time gets to be a problem when doing lots, had my welding checked by an expert ...
"Alright to me" said he.
Get the best you can afford, carbon dioxide spits a lot, I think the experts use argon mix.
no gas ... crap
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Mark Allanson
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 08:43 PM |
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CO2 produced a much harder, more brittle weld, but the gas reduces heat spread - very good for welding close to heat sensitive stuff. If you are
welding anything which is subject to constant flexing (chassis perhaps), you ARE going to get cracking.
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stephen_gusterson
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 11:11 PM |
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i have a 100a welder, to which i have fitted a fan. its never ever cut out even during heavy welding.
I would suggest something a bit bigger if you have the choice. I can second the CO2 spitting a lot, but I use it as the penetration is better down at
100a.
atb
steve
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geoff shep
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| posted on 25/3/03 at 11:14 PM |
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This seems to be a good source but there's obviously lots of others. Note on here that there is a price jump from 130A up to 150A and also
check the input current required. It's no good getting a 20 amp machine if your garage is only on a 13 amp supply.
Parker Tools
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kingr
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| posted on 26/3/03 at 11:01 AM |
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that place doesn't seem very good, £300 for the SIP 150 is ridiculous. Check out the welding
warehouse they have the 130 for £159 inc VAT and the 150 for £179 inc VAT. If you can though, I'd advise buying your gear from a local
supplier, not that there's anything wrong with the welding warehouse, in fact, when I did buy some stuff from there, the service was absolutely
brilliant, but local places will probably give you some tutition if you talk nicely to them when you buy your stuff. Also, I got my local shop to
check over a sample that I'd done before I started my chassis, gives you a bit more confidence.
Kingr
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geoff shep
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| posted on 26/3/03 at 07:54 PM |
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Agreed, it was the 130 I was looking at, at £152. It was on offer recently at £136 but as usual I missed it.
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andyd
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| posted on 26/3/03 at 09:05 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by geoff shep
Agreed, it was the 130 I was looking at, at £152. It was on offer recently at £136 but as usual I missed it.
Just looked and it's still on offer. £135.32 + VAT = £159. Or did you mean it was cheaper than that before?
Andy
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Philbo
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| posted on 27/3/03 at 12:52 PM |
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Much better deal available on ebay. Same SIP 130 MIG welder with mask, wire and gaz but costs £130 inclusive of VAT, with £14 postage. Item is new
with warranty.
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