can any1 suggest a good welder ?

[jayme taylor]

mines packed up today,lol

[brainsnova]

i had a mig clarke 105en gas/no gas and worked a treat.

[xxspudxx]

www.mig-welding.co.uk/ (http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/)

havent looked on there in ages but last time i went on there i think everyone raved about the clarke welders for a good hobby welder! never had a go on one so cant really comment!

[Ernie]

Dars brother Lee lol.
He is a sh1t hot welder....

[Mike]

100amp minimum chap, gas powered aswell.

Even better if you can get one with adjustable wire speed too.

Clarke 100E is a good bet, retail for £205 at Machine Mart in there current sale, after sale ends there about £370.

[Graeme]

Chris Astley seems to be a good welder, just what I've noticed in his WIP

[Mike]

Chris Astley seems to be a good welder, just what I've noticed in his WIP

Thats not a a single phase welder that he's using though. His is 3 phase which is 415v.

[Graeme]

its not that dear to get three phase, my mates just had it installed at his garage for his ramps

[Mike]

its not that dear to get three phase, my mates just had it installed at his garage for his ramps

I know, my dad fitted his workshop out with it and the garage at his house (hes an Industrial sparky) BUT have you seen the price of a 3 phase welder :thumb:

[Graeme]

I haven't mate but its got be worth considering if its for anything above hobby level. That shell of his is very inpressive

[jayme taylor]

I know, my dad fitted his workshop out with it and the garage at his house (hes an Industrial sparky) BUT have you seen the price of a 3 phase welder :thumb:

phase 3 , i could hire 1 for a week £90 , if there **** hot ?

[Andy]

If youre sh1t hot,a week should be more than enough time

[Sturge]

There's no need for 3 phase on cars, we use single phase at work and it does a plenty good enough job.

Recommending a welder is pointless without a budget

[John]

I have one of these (i didn't pay that much for it though, i bought it on special offer a couple of years back for around £350)

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_140/

[jayme taylor]

There's no need for 3 phase on cars, we use single phase at work and it does a plenty good enough job.

Recommending a welder is pointless without a budget

budget is £300 max , my old welder was 130 amp , and wasnt really up to the job

[General Baxter]

lol at work we use phase3 350amp, we turn it up full and cut 4mm thick steel with it lol

130-150 single phase, max

[mowgli]

a 3 phase welder will work on thin metal, but it is a bit like using a sledgehammer to fit a window tack....brutal

get a cheap gasless mig. the gas ones don't work that well outdoors cos the wind blows the gas away.

[Sturge]

A 150 Clarke or Sealey is probably your best bet. Or buy my Sip, I'll let thet go for 300 :D

[dan23]

machine mart have a non vat sale in jan you should save quite abit if you can wait

[Adam]

For car use, huge amps etc isnt really needed!!
100-130A, single phase would probably be fine for all car use..(bodywork/exhausts etc)

[novashed]

a small clarke or SIP gas (dont bother with gasless) will do fine for car work at your level, my old clarke has been fien for the last 16 years! irrc its a 100e

[Pistol Pete]

When i was looking to get a welder before buying mine alot of people recommended the ones at Machine Mart. Worth a look IMO. Good value aswell.

As above, avoid gasless.

[BRoadGhost]

Get something like a 150amp that has wheels and can take a proper bottle.

Those that say you can't weld outside aren't using the right amount of gas.

Obviously welding inside is easier as is having the work directly below you and you can access all of it.

Don't fcuk about with disposable bottles - get something you can use an industrial regulator with:-

http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/gas-welding-Regulator-SS.jpg

…If you don't as a n00b you will never know where you are at with the settings and ƒail

[novashed]

Get something like a 150amp that has wheels and can take a proper bottle.

Those that say you can't weld outside aren't using the right amount of gas.

Obviously welding inside is easier as is having the work directly below you and you can access all of it.

Don't fcuk about with disposable bottles - get something you can use an industrial regulator with:-

http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/Welding/gas-welding-Regulator-SS.jpg

…If you don't as a n00b you will never know where you are at with the settings and ƒail

sound advise:thumb:

[Chris Astley]

Thats not a a single phase welder that he's using though. His is 3 phase which is 415v.

The welder im using is a Lorch 2060 which is german made. it is one of a very few which can run on both single and 3 phase, i have only ever run it on single phase, on full power it will blow an rcd trip but is fine on a conventional fused supply. Cost me about £800+vat about 2 years ago.

When choosing a mig go for some larger than you need as you dont want to run a mig close to its duty cylce as it will get hot and its life will shorten.

Choose a welder that will accept a 15kg roll of wire as it will be far cheaper in the long run than buying the small hobby sized rolls from halfords/machine mart e.t.c.

You really need to look at minimum 130 amp upwards and dont ever consider gasless as its useless and you will never get a nice looking/strong weld.

[Chris Astley]

This is a link to the set i use

http://www.lorch.biz/index.php?id=336&L=1

[CP]

Dan and i hired a modern inverter (240v) mig welder the other weekend. I think it cost about 40 quid all in and was supplied by a specialist welder supplier as opposed to a general tool hire shop. It was an excellent way to try out new kit with plenty of good back-up and advice. That way you get to know whats what before you part with your hard earned cash?