Club 80-90 Forums

Going to give my first bit of welding a bash.
Which type of welder is best/easiest to use? and can any be used outdoors etc?

Cheers

A mig welder with a large gas bottle (waist height) with a CO2 /Argon mix.

MIG is the most practical for the hobbiest. You can get some that will work with both Gas and Gasless systems which are very practical, especially when you can't get hold of the gas. Gasless are pretty good outdoors where the breeze tends to blow away the gas shield. Gasless aren't as neat a weld though and require more cleaning up the weld afterwards.

I have a Clarke 160EN which is pretty good, although I think it can be a bit powerful (even on it's lowest setting) for the thin bodywork stuff. So don't be tempted to go too big, unless the power can be knocked right down (about 20 amps).

I'd personally avoid a SIP as they're alright when they're working but tend to suffer wire feed problems. If you've flush with money you can get a hand held spot welder which are pretty cheap to run and make panel replacement a doddle and give you the factory spot weld finish back. I have a Clarke CSW1T which I really like, dear though, gotta wanna do a fair bit of welding to make it pay.

As above, try to avoid the gasless though.

Try http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; there is sooooooooooooo much info. Loads of threads about which welder

silver surfer wrote:Try http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; there is sooooooooooooo much info. Loads of threads about which welder

I joined upto that forum a few years back, and the tutorials on there are second to non, there is a lot of useful info on there too. What I will say though, is that when you post questions, you're not exactly bowled over with the responses!

Could've changed, but I found them to be quite 'Cliquey'.