GavR
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 11:36 AM |
|
|
Starting to weld - need advice
I'm getting a second hand rollcage and I'm wanting to weld some plates onto it so I can bolt it in. I'm wanting to buy a welder but
not sure which one to get.
I'm wanting it to weld my cage and also on some body panels for my other car, what type and power welder should I be looking for?
Cheers Gav
|
|
|
|
|
mad4x4
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 11:38 AM |
|
|
You need a MIG
Stick Welders are for THICK plate and need 2 much skill
|
|
|
GavR
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 11:43 AM |
|
|
What amp or dosent it really matter?
|
|
|
tegwin
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 11:48 AM |
|
|
Get the biggest ampage you can afford!!
I have a clarke 151te and it is pretty a good comprimise between cost and power..
I would NOT want anything with less than 150A!
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Would the last person who leaves the country please switch off the lights and close the door!
www.verticalhorizonsmedia.tv
|
|
|
Davey D
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 11:57 AM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by tegwin
Get the biggest ampage you can afford!!
I have a clarke 151te and it is pretty a good comprimise between cost and power..
I would NOT want anything with less than 150A!
As above, 150 - 180 Amp should be ideal. If you get anything higher, then you wont be able to run it flat out on a domestic 3pin outlet anyway, so its
a bit of a waste. Ive got a 250A single phase, and i run it on a 32Amp circiut, and i still cant run it flat out 
|
|
|
carlknight1982
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 11:59 AM |
|
|
I have a siegen 130AMP mig and i find its ok for most things.
Logic will get you from a A to B
Imagination will take you everywhere.
|
|
|
GavR
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 12:00 PM |
|
|
So really I need a 150a mig. I'm gunna try machine mart. Anyone know anywhere cheap but still good quality?
|
|
|
MikeRJ
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 12:28 PM |
|
|
quote:
Originally posted by carlknight1982
I have a siegen 130AMP mig and i find its ok for most things.
Roll cage tube and plates are pretty thick though, 130A hobby MIG would be a bit small for that IMO.
[Edited on 26/5/10 by MikeRJ]
|
|
|
tony-devon
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 01:02 PM |
|
|
find one that you think will do what you want, and then get the next one up 
my best advice would be to check out local garages etc, see if any are upgrading or changing equipement soon
a decent 2nd hand welder is in my opinion always a better option that a budget/DIY unit
the first garage I went and asked resulted in me getting a 190A Cebora unit later that night, for absoulutely FREE
and that welder is the nuts for the work I do.
happily sit and weld 16swg exhausts etc, and turn it up to weld plates for jigs etc, timer facility for tacking/spotting through welds
dont forget to budget in for a gas bottle, argoshield lite or similar is good
BOC let you pay monthly on direct debit if you want to spread the cost
possible candidates are
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Cebora-180-amp-mig-welder-/250637953748?cmd=ViewItem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3a5b2faad4
just to add that if you see any second hand ESAB units, I would most definitely recommend them, I had a C170 for working at home in the garage, was
excellent, but it had to go when I lost everything, I wouldnt hesitate to buy another if I had the need and the cash
[Edited on 26/5/10 by tony-devon]
heavy is good, heavy is reliable, and if it breaks, hit them with it
|
|
|
eznfrank
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 01:18 PM |
|
|
I've also just purchased my first welder but TBH I think I'd want to do a hell of a lot of practice before I trusted myself enough to weld
a roll bar in place.
|
|
|
GavR
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 02:13 PM |
|
|
Lol same here mate. My mate is a welder so hes gunna do it while I watch and learn lol 
|
|
|
BenB
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 02:15 PM |
|
|
I'd think 150A. As said that's the max you'll go with a 3 pin supply and anything else might struggle to get adequate penetration.
|
|
|
big_wasa
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 03:00 PM |
|
|
As said as high as you can afford and atleast 150A.
My 180 draws around 16A at full chat
|
|
|
skinned knuckles
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 03:23 PM |
|
|
once again, i'm going to recommend TIG. once you've had a bit of practice, you end up with cleaner welds and i believe that TIG welding is
mor controllable than mig. i bought a chinese machine last year, it is a WSE200 and i can strongly recommend it. because it is an AC/DC machine, it
can do aly as well. i got it for around £300 and its worth every penny. the down side are expensive pure argon gas and ots a 200A machine so you would
need to put a 13A plug on it and not run it up to full power of you want to use ot on a standard mains socket.
A man isn't complete until he's married, then he's finished
|
|
|
coozer
|
| posted on 26/5/10 at 03:39 PM |
|
|
I messed about with a Clarke one for a while, crap welding and have now gone with a PortaMig 185.
The difference is amazing, well worth the cash.
Takes a full size 15kg wire and has a 16amp Commando plug.
Its dead easy to use, and is very powerful.
1972 V8 Jago
1980 Z750
|
|
|
