Club 80-90 Forums

Hello , have recently got a Clarke mig welder and
want to have a go at spot welding.
I’ve seen that you can get a spot welding adapter to fit on the tip, is this the best way to learn as I’m a novice.

Thanks Neil

Hi Neil, not sure how much you know about mig welding yet. But have a search on plug welding. It’s an excellent technique that will see you right for most of what you’ll want to do with these vans.


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Are you referring to the mig tip with a pair of tags on it ? It’s really just a convenient spacer

Thanks Jackrobbo I’ll check out plug welding.

Yes Davidoft1 i was referring to the tip with the 2 lugs on... thanks

Neil

neil1967 wrote: ↑05 Feb 2021, 06:11 Thanks Jackrobbo I’ll check out plug welding.

Yes Davidoft1 i was referring to the tip with the 2 lugs on... thanks

Neil

It just allows a space between the torch and work piece , you need to move your torch even when plug welding, I didn’t find them very useful , but for a few quid worth a go, you still need to be able to weld

neil1967 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 20:42 Hello , have recently got a Clarke mig welder and
want to have a go at spot welding.
I’ve seen that you can get a spot welding adapter to fit on the tip, is this the best way to learn as I’m a novice.

Thanks Neil

Hi Neil if you haven`t already, check out this website:-   https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/
 
and the tutorials my well be helpfull as would posting questions on the forum.

Have fun

Thanks Daisy have added to my Home Screen
Neil

neil1967 wrote: ↑04 Feb 2021, 20:42 Hello , have recently got a Clarke mig welder and
want to have a go at spot welding.
I’ve seen that you can get a spot welding adapter to fit on the tip, is this the best way to learn as I’m a novice.

Thanks Neil

I'm about to do some further restoration to my van and feel, after 12 years of ownership, that's it's high time I put on my big boy pants and learn to weld. I knew 30 seconds on here and I'd find a useful thread on it!

My question is which model of Clarke welder did you get? Does £130 make a difference to spending large amounts more?

I have relatively simple panels that need attention, and I regularly use grinders with slitting discs for work! Can't wait to get stuck in.

I was advised by a German friend to get one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/153678826816

Still yet to use it!
But it's going to get use soon.

Often thought about learning welding myself, if anything to save some money especially for MOT failure issues where you have to rely on a third party to carry it out.  Presume because of the heat they use do they require a dedicated power source or can they be connected to a residential power source.  Definitely invest in the correct protective gear visor etc but these differ I gather depending on the device you use and do they all require a gas connection.

You can do thin metal (bodywork) on a low amp setting, so fine with a 13A plug. Trouble is you then find bits of chassis needing attention, so higher amps needed. I put 16A into the garage in my last house, but then moved again to a house with no garage. Welding is now done at my sons lockup with no power supply so had to buy a generator... and that works really well.
Gas is best used under cover/out of the wind. Gas-less is good if you’re outside in the breeze (which blows your shielding gas away. But then with gas-less you have to knock off a scab. But needs must if you’re outside. Some welders do either. More expensive welder = better control at low amps, = better welds on thin metal.

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ ss your friend and a good source of info/ advice.

As others have said, check out the mig-welding forum. There’s feedback on there from the forum members about pretty much every model of welder, and it’s well worth looking through before clicking the Buy It Now button. Again, as above, low amp settings are key for thin sheet bodywork, but you’ll also need to consider duty cycle. It may also be worth looking at secondhand sets - you get a lot more welder for your money used. Watch out for bargains on eBay - many of them are rebadged Chinese models and are of varying quality.

I have taken advice and watched various tutorials
on mig welding.

Have bought some sheet metal and cut various shapes and have been plug , stitch welding.(in my shed).. not got confidence on a vehicle yet.

I’ve been playing around with settings, high/low/ speed of wire and gas.

And I’m slowly gaining confidence when I see the difference a slight adjustment of a particular setting makes to the weld.

But reading/seeing photos of the great restorations on this club also inspires novices like me to have a go.

Thanks and good luck Neil