The Triumph Dolomite Club - Discussion Forum

Hi

Now I have been let down one too many times to get someone to do some welding so gonna teach myself. Got a good budget of 1500 to spend on a MiG welder for myself.

Other than sticking some gates together with a Lidl ARC welder I will be learning from Youtube and trial and error so easy of use is a must.

Any recommendations from personal use? There does seem to be an issue with getting big gas bottles if your not a business but not sure if its an issue...

Regards

Barry

_________________
Aberdeen

1975 Triumph 1500 TC various shades of blue

My mate went on a welding night course at the local Tech, think it was for four weeks and he was surprised at how good it was, so much so like you, he's now looking at buying a welder to do welding to our cars in the workshop. It covered car welding and how to tackle problems arriving from inappropriate current or inconsistent gas supply - stuff you wouldn't experience from watching a youtube video for instance....

In total, the entire course was £35.

You'd be mad not to go on it at that price!

I bought a R-Tech Inverter Mig Welder, think is was around £400, it is totally adjustable for voltage etc so is very good at thin materials like bodywork.
I use Hobbyweld Gas, usually available locally at a welding supplier or suppliers who stock Calor gas bottles sometimes have it too.
If you want to do it well I think an evening course as Shaun suggests will get you there quicker than self teaching trial & error.

_________________
Modified Dolomite Sprint MSO 662P VA485 1973 Mimosa Sprint

1500 isa VERY good budget.
I bought an Oxford mig (exactky the same as tec arc and portamig, g=different colour/label) and it was night and day compared to clarke, which in turn was way better than SIP.
A local chap who is a retired bodywork man and lots of high end experience has just bought an R tech mig, and he is absolutely delighted with it. Nice and light too being an inverter welder.

Saying all that, if just doing car bodywork, I was really impressed by a snap on mig 130. Bit ancient, but really nice quality.I have seen the occasional NOS one up for sale.

Gas bottles are no problem, I get mine from a local supplier, and there is Hobbyweld, Adams and others.

Best bet is to visit the Mig Welding forum. https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/

As well as a mig, you need at least one, better 2, angle grinders. A decent self darkening helmet. A selection of clamps, and a joddler/hole punch (don't skimp here, cheap ones are naff, Tama are excellent, had mine 30 years.)

_________________
Clive Senior
Brighton

Hi, Thanks, So 40 miles from me collage does run one, but its been cancelled twice due to low numbers, I hope to get set up and try and get someone local to show me if I am stuck.

Thanks for all the suggestions, I did see the Oxford units mentioned but with an issue with availability and lead time but I will email them. I am also planning on popping into a local welding supplier in Aberdeen next week and see if they can assist.

Already have the other gear and set up a 35amp plug in the garage when I built it but might get a better self darkening helmet as my cheap one I have is not very good!
Regards

Barry

_________________
Aberdeen

1975 Triumph 1500 TC various shades of blue