Hi from the Midlands

[Add]

Hi

Im Adam
iv been hovering about for a while and finally decided to join in the fun
I am a car nut
I have 2 old corollas that need some urgent MIG skills as the tin worm has got one of them real bad
Iv always been facinated with welding but never thought id be any good at it, so now its either lose my pride and joy to tin rot or learn sum skills
First I need to buy a MIG that will allow me to do any job possible on a car as 80's toyota steel is about as thick as a corned beef tin ha

 

[zardoz]

Hi mate. Well if you have been reading the forum, you know that the next thing you need to do is decide a budget. If you can afford the top end of the hobby range/ lower end of the Pro range then your spoiled for choice with £500 - 600 to spend. I'd buy one of them shiney new Uk made 185 Portamigs, as these start at 15 amps and are good for thin tin, and i belive the new ones will even braze ? There are other makes at around this price that are usually smaller inverters, but you pays your money and makes your choice. I dont know anything about any other makes , except that usually made in Italy, or Scandanavia means its ok.

The lower range ie: the hobby /diy range is seemingly dominated by clarkes on this forum.(The Clarkes can easily be seen on the machine mart website or catalogue) Mainly because Weldequip gives a good price on them and after sales service (the same as the Portamigs) and also machine mart sell them. Up till now Clarkes have been Italian made. The 135TE and the 151TE have good things said about them lately. There are some new chinese manufactured Clarkes out, but the jury is out on them till we hear from those who have bought them.

If you cant afford that, then your only other option is secondhand. There are some huge bargains to be had here, conversely it is a minefield of wasted money even to those who know welders and should know better. If you get a good'un though your laughing, and many here are.

ps: just in case you are an excentric rich person who likes to do his own repairs, then buy a top of the range Lorch. Something like the M3030 CsUi. I would.
Lorch clicky click

 

[MorrisCooper]

Clarke 135TE

Hi Adam,

As a newbie myself I've just taken the plunge and gone for the Clarke 135TE. I'm also a car nut (with slightly sad tastes ) and am working on a 60's mini and a 90's metro. Have only done a bit of work on the metro so far, but if the 135 works fine on 90's Rover tin, then I think you'll be safe!!

My top tip is to read the relevant tutorials and posts on here, as they give some really useful advice to get going

 

[Add]

Cheers for the welcome

Iv pretty much been set on a clarke but now iv had a butchers at the portamig comments and people seem to love em.
This has made me rethink a little but i can't find a price for them its probably loads tho

my budget i would say is about 300 quid though i could go higher for the right welder and raid my piggy bank or sell a set of wheels.
these are my current possibilities

Clarke 135 te 220 quid
Clarke 151 te 290 quid
Clarke 160 te 310 quid
Clarke 165 tem 380 quid

they all start from 30 amps which iv read is not ideal for welding thin panels, i do like what iv heard about the portamaigs tho

Iv read lots about weldequip uniting people with welders he must do sum good deals
been looking at a good auto darkening mask too, was tempted by the skull ones but they look cheap and i like my eyes un fried and extra crispy.

Theres nothing sad about minis mate i love em too iid love 1275 clubman gt

 

[zardoz]

give Weldequip a pm message, he will give you a price on a Portamig. delivered to your door, I got mine from him, he does a good price and includes a torch, earth lead, and a gas regulator and tube to get you started.Weldequip