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[Andy A]

Can anyone recommend a cheap arch welder to re-weld a new flexi pipe onto the exhaust and weld some small plates on the front chassis legs?

[Magwheels]

To be honest I personally wouldn't bother with an arc welder for welding anything car related.

A MIG welder is a much better tool all round.

TIG even better but to expensive for occasional use.

[Nick W]

It's possible to use an arc welder for those repairs, but if you're capable of doing it you don't need our advice!

Mig is what you want for car repairs, or oxy-acetylene.

I have a decent Tig set, but don't see much use for it on cars. Certainly not for either of the jobs mentioned here.

[Andy A]

I have just done a little reading on MIG welding. I will change the title. Thanks. 

I have never done any welding before. It is something I have always wanted to do though.

Can anyone recommend a cheap MIG welder to re-weld a new flexi pipe onto the exhaust and weld some small plates on the front chassis legs?

[flyer 0712]

In all my years of selling tools and garage equipment there is no thing as  a cheap welder and does a good job...The cost of a decent welder for what you want to do far outweighs what it would cost you to have the job done by a garage or maybe some one on this forum..... .Unless you are going to do a load of welding for mates..relatives etc......to try to get some outlay back it is false economy....And do not forget you have already said that you have never done welding before,So maybe it answers your own question realy..

[The Red Baron]

understand you point flyer, however, what sort of price we looking at for a reasonable mig welder then. 

[Marks DTM Calib]

My view is that there are hobby welders and pro welders.

If going new, then about the only hobby MIG welder worth going for is the Clarke 135 as the likes of the SIP's etc. have a really naff wire feed. One of these will see you out as they say and do pretty much everything you would want to do.

I also have access to a number of 'pro' welders (from low amperage ones up to 400A buggers) and these are better, more rugged (the main difference) with improved wire feed and often a larger smoothing choke and better duty cycle. But, that's about it and hence a good hobby welder or reasonable second hand pro welder is ideal for 'domestic' use.

As for ARC, pretty much any old buzz box will do if you have decent rods and can handle a stick.

[Andy A]

My view is that there are hobby welders and pro welders.

If going new, then about the only hobby MIG welder worth going for is the Clarke 135 as the likes of the SIP's etc. have a really naff wire feed. One of these will see you out as they say and do pretty much everything you would want to do.

I also have access to a number of 'pro' welders (from low amperage ones up to 400A buggers) and these are better, more rugged (the main difference) with improved wire feed and often a larger smoothing choke and better duty cycle. But, that's about it and hence a good hobby welder or reasonable second hand pro welder is ideal for 'domestic' use.

As for ARC, pretty much any old buzz box will do if you have decent rods and can handle a stick.

Thats the one I was looking at from Machine Mart. The Clarke 135TE MIG Welder @ £288. 

[Nick W]

I'll agree with everything Mark said, except for the Clarke welder as I have no experience of them. Friends have them and get good results. SIP wire feed mechanisms are terrible, and most small, cheap welders don't have enough settings.

Stepping up to a small professional machine improved my welding as much as swapping to Argoshield did. The wire feed is strong and consistent, plenty of adjustability, good duty cycle and replaceable euro torch. It is a pain to store and move about, but that's worth the hassle.

Another important tip is that you MUST use a proper cylinder of the correct gas. Anything else is a false economy, and will make your learning curve MUCH steeper.

[Andy A]

I'll agree with everything Mark said, except for the Clarke welder as I have no experience of them. Friends have them and get good results. SIP wire feed mechanisms are terrible, and most small, cheap welders don't have enough settings.

Stepping up to a small professional machine improved my welding as much as swapping to Argoshield did. The wire feed is strong and consistent, plenty of adjustability, good duty cycle and replaceable euro torch. It is a pain to store and move about, but that's worth the hassle.

Another important tip is that you MUST use a proper cylinder of the correct gas. Anything else is a false economy, and will make your learning curve MUCH steeper.

I've read that Argon mix gas is good. What is your opinion?

[Nick W]

Small welders will use BOC's Argoshield Light, which is CO2 and 5% Argon. Or equivalent, as BOC are damned expensive.

[The Red Baron]

whats the opinion on this gasless one
.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p68022

[Nick W]

whats the opinion on this gasless one
.
http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p68022

Don't.

They're terrible for sheet metal, and an arc welder does thicker stuff better for less.

[Marks DTM Calib]

I use Argoshield (or equivalent) and straight pub CO2, no issues with either to be honest.

Argoshield makes it a bit easier.

Argo for TIG or aluminium MIG.

[flyer 0712]

Sealey supermig 150   retails around £420 but is generaly on offer for around £250....they are fine for d.i.y.....if you want a more professional  unit then they increase dramatically .......The thing about selling sealy is that they are good products  and they carry spares for at least ten years...and i never had a great deal of problems or returns on them.....as for gassless i never sold very many of them as customers did not like them mainly because if they were welding outside on a windy day it blew the gas away from the nozzle causing probs with their welding....but again each to their own ...