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[TheBoy]

OK, looks like I should get a traditional gas one.

Next step, which make/model do people thing I should get?

[unlucky mark mv6]

OK, looks like I should get a traditional gas one.

Next step, which make/model do people thing I should get?

I know clarke and sip are supposed to be good.  :-/

[Marks DTM Calib]

SIP are shite

[lee4206]

The Clarkes are the best all round hobby Migs, the SIP's have vey poor wire feeds.

Remember that 135-140A is the most you can run off a domestic 13A socket.

A 135TE is a nice unit (and you have used one before!)

I've got the clark 151te and that runs fine with a 13amp fuse and pluged in to a normal socket  :-/(it lasted ok to weld two sills on a fiesta with no probs).
Found it easy to use no problems with it in the 2 years i've had it so id recomend it .
lee

[Pedro]

Agree - SIP is crap. Not only por wire feeds, but built down to a price and my old one kept cutting out at only 6 months old - not due to overheating, either!
Clarkes are good all-rounders - I think the Snap Off ones are made by Clark?

I would say a better welder would be fan-cooled aswell.
Hadn't taken into consideration the domestic electric supply when I said about 200A, but worked for me!

I have used gasless to try it on a Cav Mk2 sill, done outside in a mid breeze, and worked pretty well, but I prefer gas as the weld is cleaner and easier to dress.
Been weldin

[Welung666]

SIP are shite

Completely agree, the wire feeds jam up faster than my auto darkening helmet! Mines a Clarke 150 turbo, never had a problem with it.

[Debs.]

SIP are shite

Brilliantly succinct!

[Kevin Wood]

I would add to the above - check what your local colleges offer in terms of evening classes.

I booked into a 10 week "Introduction to welding" evening course at Basingstoke. Cost 70 odd quid for 10 weeks, two hours a week.

The course was 100% practical once we'd fast-forwarded through the obligatory H&S video. They had a workshop set up with MIG, TIG, Arc welders, Oxy Acetylene, spot welders, gas cutting torches - you name it.

10 of us on the course and all welding 100% of the time. No waiting for kit to become available, just choose your weapon and have a go! Instructor floated around giving tuition and advice where required but essentially letting us play.

I got through many times more than 70 quid's worth of consumables and sheet metal, I can tell you. 

I was, admittedly, probably lucky in that the instructor was great and the course was underpriced but, unless you have a project in mind, you soon get bored with MIG welding bits of scrap in your garage and wondering if you're on the right track.

It was also a great opportunity to try all types of welding so you have an idea of the pros and cons of each.

Kevin

[neilr]

I have a gasless type from machine mart it serves its purpose as i only use it occasionally. i have not had any issues as long as the surfaces are clean. mine is not the neatest of welds but it has been o k for mot standards and putting exhausts back together(off car).i have also managed repair panels on fiesta wheel arches.sometimes it takes awhile to dress the area after but the angle grinder comes in useful. hope this helps.

[Darth Loo-knee]

Jaime, I bought this welder about 3-4 years ago and it has done every job I have thrown at it brilliantly. I have use it off an electric extension at home and never had a missed beat.
 
 http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/150te-turbo-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders

[CaptainZok]

Jaime, I bought this welder about 3-4 years ago and it has done every job I have thrown at it brilliantly. I have use it off an electric extension at home and never had a missed beat.
 
 http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/150te-turbo-mig-welder/path/diy-mig-welders

Does it come with a toastie loaf for welding MX5s?

[unlucky mark mv6]

SIP are shite

Completely agree, the wire feeds jam up faster than my auto darkening helmet! Mines a Clarke 150 turbo, never had a problem with it.

You should sell it me then lee.

[Ian_D]

Gas Mig is the way to go mate!

Clarke are fairly good for the price, but avoid the cheap units, as they are.... well... cheap! 

Cant think what model my mates is, I know on full power it requires more than 13amps (seem to think about 15-16ish), but he never uses it on full power anyway. Its a fantastic welder, and built fairly solidly too.

Think it was just over 300 quid, but that was over 4 years ago now, so prices may have changed a bit.

[Ian_D]

Just had a quick look, my mates is very very much like this one: http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig160tm-welder/path/automotiveindustrial-mig-welders

Thats a new model though, so guess its the one that replaced my mates older model maybe?

[unlucky mark mv6]

I would add to the above - check what your local colleges offer in terms of evening classes.

I booked into a 10 week "Introduction to welding" evening course at Basingstoke. Cost 70 odd quid for 10 weeks, two hours a week.

The course was 100% practical once we'd fast-forwarded through the obligatory H&S video. They had a workshop set up with MIG, TIG, Arc welders, Oxy Acetylene, spot welders, gas cutting torches - you name it.

10 of us on the course and all welding 100% of the time. No waiting for kit to become available, just choose your weapon and have a go! Instructor floated around giving tuition and advice where required but essentially letting us play.

I got through many times more than 70 quid's worth of consumables and sheet metal, I can tell you. 

I was, admittedly, probably lucky in that the instructor was great and the course was underpriced but, unless you have a project in mind, you soon get bored with MIG welding bits of scrap in your garage and wondering if you're on the right track.

It was also a great opportunity to try all types of welding so you have an idea of the pros and cons of each.

Kevin

Mig welding is not really rocket science anyway,just basically down to a steady hand,thats what i find anyway.