did i buy a lemon?

[CovKid]

Don't agree on cheap crappy bottles of gas. If you're doing a LOT of welding then yes but I've bought small bottles with twice the amount in as normal and they've lasted me ages. For the odds and ends soime of us do they're ok.

[Grifter]

ok, another stupid question for you. What is the differance between a mig welder with gas and a gasless one, i'm assuming with gas is better isn't it? "I know nothing!!!"

[shanco73]

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; a few 80-90 ers have and do use this site it is a fantastic resource for welding know how and tutorials and all your equipment requirement needs.

Gasless mig wedling makes it harder to get a good finish, as it is harder to see what you are doing ie see the weld pool, I have used both and i am a rank amateur i managed both. Set up is slightly different with gas v gasless, some welding machines can do both.

It is possible to get good results with gasless and you have the only advantage in my opinnion of having a gasless welder of being able to weld in wind, welding in wind with shielding gas, the gas can blow away.

Most people will reccomend you use a welding machine with shielding gas.

hope this helps a bit

[Grifter]

Thanks a lot guys for your advice, it has all been very helpful. I will buy one and practice for a while but i still think i will get someone who knows whats what to takle it for the moment! i should be ready in about a year!!

[meggles]

Grifter, I've been messing with motors for years, and I know what I'm doing some of the time. I also weld with an arc welder. I still ask for advice on here 'cos experience is a wonderful thing. Also someone has "done it before" and found a better way (usually). As for buying a lemon: I bought worse than a lemon, as Weldore can verify! It's no exaggeration to say it was a death trap regarding tyre condition, gas leak from quickly removed night heater (pipe left open ended with gas supply still plumbed in)and 240v wired to 12v system It's now half decent and, surprisingly, I've quite enjoyed the "journey". If you were closer I'd pop round and give you a hand. Just keep the faith, don't give up and don't tackle it if you ain't got the patience.
Keep posting, that way you'll get good advice and encouragement (and a load of p!$$ taking probably). 80-90 is better than a workshop manual!
Good luck!

[weldore]

you make it sound like you bought it off me keith

[meggles]

you make it sound like you bought it off me keith

Sooooory! I didn't buy it off Weldore, he's the bloke that helped me keep faith in it! Sorry Weldore.

[weldore]

tis nothing a man of your calibre cant sort out mate.

[Grifter]

Not that this is going to be relevent to me at the moment but: if your replacing panels how would you know where and how much to cut from the van?

[meggles]

Not that this is going to be relevent to me at the moment but: if your replacing panels how would you know where and how much to cut from the van?

How much hand cleaner do you need after doing an oil change?

It really is a question of start the job and see how it goes. You need to get rid of all the cr@p, paint, filler and rust and see how much van you have left. All vans are corroded to varying degrees. (some negligible rust, some the other end of the scale like mine!). Always have a plan B. All vans are repairable, just a question of how much you are prepared to spend in terms of time and money!
Not much help? Sorry!

[CovKid]

He's right. Cut the minimum needed to get back to sound metal and go from there. With a new panel to hand, you'll soon see what has to be cut. Plenty in the WIKI to inspire you.

[murdoch]

is it as bad as mine ?



still waiting for a few bits before i start it.
stuff like this is new to me too, but love getting stuck in sometimes. if i do "cock" it up, i'll just take it to the shop.
good luck

[Damien]

Thats quite an impressive amount of rust you have there......

[CovKid]

I think even I'd be daunted by that amount of rust....

[weldore]

what is impressive is how much rust is localised to the area that you cant normally see.its as if it didnt want you to know