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Welder

Posted: 01 Oct 2008 11:04
by dave.c
Hi all
Not done much welding but did pass a course in Holland for it
in 1995 but havent touched since
saw this on fleabay
Has any of you more competant welders any advice
Does it do the job, is it worth the money etc
ATB Dave
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=120310661134

Its hard not to be big headed driving itImage

Posted: 01 Oct 2008 14:57
by busheytrader
Hi,

I'm not a welding expert but I bought myself a SIP 130T Mig welder many years back. At the time it was touted as a good allround welder for car related work. I sorted out the floor pans and rear bulkhead on my 7 with it.

This model may not give you the flexiibility you need on different thicknesses of metal or the adjustability to get the optimum weld. The 130 enabled me to plug weld effectively to some pretty thick metal on its highest setting, such as chassis rails etc. The 80 might not cope with it. I hated those disposable bottles but couldn't justify renting a large one.

Have you tried this website? It may help. http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/
There's a website for every type of Anorak, even us.


Good Luck,

Adam

Posted: 01 Oct 2008 15:19
by Odd
That's a toy!
You need to be able to get at least 100 to 120 amps through 0.8 mm wire for those tough plug
welds in several layers of body sheet metal - and you need a MUCH larger gas bottle!

Personally I use a 160 amp (3-phase) MIG and a 180 amp TIG (also 3-phase) + two 5L bottles of gas
- and I occasionally find them marginal and dream of a 250+ amp water cooled machine...
It <u>is</u> allowed to dream you know. [:D]

Image <font color="red"><b>My two 1980 Wedges...</b></font id="red">
Image

Posted: 01 Oct 2008 18:32
by Mowog73
That SIP model has on wire speed or voltage adjustments. I'd agree with Odd; it's a toy. I'd suggest you keep looking. I really don't think you would be happy with it.

Mark
1973 MGBGT
1976 TR7
1980 Spitfire 1500

Posted: 05 Oct 2008 11:32
by marknotgeorge
In addition to all the above, the 40A minimum weld current is too much for bodywork thickness metal. You need to look for one with a 25-30A minimum current.

Look on mig-welding.co.uk. There's a chap called weldequip on there who'll do you a good deal on a Clarke welder (about the best of the hobby migs), and there's also a spreadsheet (partly written by me [:I]) which will show you the best deal on proper welding gas - not those disposable farts in a can.

Mark, Derby, UK.
'80 DHC Sprint - '95 Vauxhall Astra - '00 Vauxhall Zafira
http://www.marknotgeorge.co.uk - http://www.eggsandantlers.co.uk