Fantastic site! thought I'd join the forum

[Sphinx]

Hi all

Learning how to weld has been something I've been putting off for...well...years, never reeaally needed to do any welding so just put it off. Today however I was grinding down some rust on the arch of my car and it was worse than I thought. I considered a quick fibreglass bodge but thought 'no, I'll weld this '.

I've got access to a welder ('topmig turbo 195 sip' on the front) but I know there isn't any gas so I did a quick bit of research online which led me to this website! As good as it is, I fear I may have a case of information overload for my DIY/basic car bodywork needs lol.
What was a 'I'll give this a go!' attitude has turned into 'christ! i need this, this, this and this just for this tiny repair'

I'll try my best to search for answers first but forgive me in advance if I ask some tedious questions

 

[Iain Westland]

ask them in the learning section right at the top of the forum, nobody can shout at you then (not that they do anyway)

welcome to the wonderful world of 'I need that' - It doesnt get any better.

Iain

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum Sphinx, have you seen this little lot reagrding SIPs?

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=28

 

[Sphinx]

Thanks rtbcomp, I did have a quick look at that last night and it didn't fill me full of confidence I have to say
I need to go and pick up the welder today (my uncles welder he doesn't use anymore) and have a look at it. Given my extremely basic knowledge, that will involve dusting it off and looking for obvious problems.

Call me cheap but hardly ever weld so I'm really not looking to spend lots of money, but I do want to be able to weld well as and when I need to.

 

[rtbcomp]

..
Call me cheap but hardly ever weld so I'm really not looking to spend lots of money, but I do want to be able to weld well as and when I need to.

I'm in the same boat as you. I have the same welder but a bad machine doesn't do good welds just because you don't use it much.