New here and to welding

[Carpetmonster]

Evening Folks

Been reading on here for a day or so and decided to join.
Im wanting to learning to learn to weld To weld up my R reg transit van Im wanting to to replace the wings, arches and also be able to make any repairs to the floor ect when needed.
Im on a tight budget so the cheaper the better and will be welding outside.
If anyone could offer me some advice on what i would need would be great.
There is so many options to a newcomer Arc,mig,gasless and im confused.

Cheers

simon

 

[shenion]

Welcome to the forums

You will need a gas MIG to do bodywork. I'm afraid there is not any cheap way to go.

Look at the Clarke 135EN in weldequip's shop from the link at the top of the page.

Only way cheaper is to go with a good used one.

You will also need gas, a pub bottle is cheapest. Argon mix can be expensive if you have to pay rental. Disposables are the most expensive.

 

[cumbriasteve]

If you are welding outside then you are going to have to pick your days or provide a good windbreak...the gas shield will be affected.

You could try gasless if you got a dual purpose machine, its not as nice or as easy to work with but plenty of people do.

Arc is out of the question, it is used by some on body repairs but is certainly not easy and even more so for a beginner.

My suggestion if budget is tight is a second hand MIG, probably a Clarke, that does both gas and gasless, then get some scraps of steel and start practicing, about 5 mm at first and then reduce the steel thickness as you get the hang of it.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Typo...I meant 3mm to start with