for the love of god someone help save my bug!!

Hey everyone fantastic site.
Only one problem with it... Its convinced me to buy a welder and start practising. this can only end badly.

I need these simple questions answered... well simply, as I think Iv a case of info overload.

1 What is enough power amp wise? the goal is keeping a vw beetle alive. an optimistic resto. Already finished in my head of course.

2 whats the best option (budget budget budget) brand wise? Am I correct in thinking 130amp should do the job? for example is clarke the only option here?

a} DRAPER 43946 GASLESS MIG WELDER 130 AMP 230V
b} 130 AMP 130A GAS GASLESS MIG130EN CLARKE
c} SIP 25031 WELDMATE T130P GAS GASLESS MIG WELDER 130 AMP
d} SEALEY 130AMP GAS gasless MIG WELDER S0771 SEIGEN

As is the way with the world cost is king and the sealey is the cheapest i can get, but will it do the job or just kill the bug?

Also, these all have a lowest setting of around 30amps, is this too high for light welding? such as floor pans and body patches?

id be truely grateful for any input thanks .

general opinion seems to be that the clarke machines are your best bet

I had the sip (or POS as it was known) & was so glad I binned it, but I went upmarket a bit.

I am sure soemone will be along to advice which clarke... or look in weldequip's shop

I've been using a Clarke 130 EN for 6 months now, it's a first welder for me and it's brilliant, can't praise it enough. Get it from Weldequip c/w a conversion kit for argon/co2 and you can't go wrong. The 130 is the biggest you can use on a standard 13amp plug socket.

Welcome badmarx

I've been using a Clarke 130 for about 20yrs gas valve failed 3yrs ago, steve @ Weldequip (top man) sorted me out, so ok for next 20yrs.

As bill said get a conversion kit for argon/co2 & use big bottles.

Don't buy the SIP!

Clarke or Cebora 130 are good pieces of kit and get a conversion kit for argon/co2 & use big bottles.

Im gonna jump aboard the clarke ship although mine isnt actually a mig... its a dc tig and arc inverter really that said it seems well built and has done me some cracking welds so far.. and best of all the price was very reasonable.

I use a clarke 151turbo for all my automotive work. I would not advise that you bother with gas less wire just as said go for co2/argon mix.

I thing the 130TE would do quite nicely for you.

Which ever welded you go for get a good one it will be worth it. When I did the last bug I arc welded it together... It was bloody hard work and now I use mig its much easier, cleaner and quicker

thanks for all yer help lads the bug is coming along nicely if your bored the pics of whats done so far are in the photobucket link below. il post some earlier pics of doing the floor pans once i get chance. thanks again.

http://s1108.photobucket.com/albums/h410/badmarx/#!cpZZ1QQtppZZ24

Good work on the bug

Nice work on the framehead and channels