Hello Guys!!!

[LewisH]

Hi guys,

Complete and utter rookie here. Never used a welder and have little knowledge about them. However, I'm very keen to learn and would love to add welding to my list of skills, hence why I'm here. Heard only good things about this forum (from the mini forum) so I'm sure you guys will be able to help me.

Reason why I'm here? Well I sort of gave the game away earlier. I own a 1988 mini and as many if you may know, they're made more of rust then actual metal. My mini is a restoration project and everything is relying on me learning to weld correctly and most of all to a acceptably safe standard. Again, having a look through some topics, most of you here weld on cars so it looks like this is the place to be.

Even though I have no idea how to weld I do own a Clarke 151TE welder and have had it sitting around at home for about a year. From a topic I saw on here I upgraded the negative clamp to a heavier duty one but other than that I haven't touched it. That will soon change and it'll be getting some use soon!!!

I'm going to have a look around the forum to gain a little background knowledge but if anyone fancies helping me out and linking me to some of the best topics to read through that would be very appreciated.

Right, lets get to it!

Cheers,

Lewis.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum, nice welder choice..should do you fine.

Have a good read of the tutorials then get some 2mm or 3 mm scrap to practice laying runs without worrying about blowing through.

Make sure you clean it up with a grinder where you intend to weld and where the earth clamp goes.

Try and find a local supplier for gas and forget the disposable bottles..too little and too expensive.

Get an auto darkening mask, even an Ebay 25 quid cheapie will do

Then practice, practice, and practice..then practice some more.

 

[Fintray]

Lewis you're in good company here as many of us have cars with varying degrees of rust and a willingness to renovate them!!!

 

[DrNik]

Hi mate, im in glos and would be happy to give you give you some pointers, and set up your kit if you want to pop up, i have a warm workshop to practice,some other guys maybe closer though

 

[LewisH]

Thanks for the warm welcome gents!! Forgot to mention I have an auto darkening helmet but ill try and source some scrap metal so I can practice when I'm all set up!

DrNik, thank you very much for the offer. Once I have all the right equipment I may pop up and visit if its no trouble.

I will have to sift through all the info on here about gas (argon mix seems best I've read so far), wire and all the other bits and bobs but I should have my set up all sorted in the next few weeks.

 

[DrNik]

sure, dont worry, i'd be happy to help, cant beat argoshield or similar, co2 is crap spits like crazy makes my welder loose amps, but if thats all you can get its better than nothing

 

[LewisH]

Yeah I've seen argosheild seems to be the one of choice, I havent been able to have a look properly at it yet though. Being from around the same sort of area you wouldn't happen to know the best places to get supplies and gas from do you?