wotnot
Part of things
Posts: 55 
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Hi all,
Haven't posted here before, I'm halfway through fixing up my 190E sportline and have so far avoided tackling the rust holes in the jacking points, thinking I could find a mobile welder. Trouble is, there aren't any around here (Shropshire) so I think I'm going to have to buy a welder and learn myself up. Car isn't a runner yet and I don't have a trailer
Can I get a good second hand mig for £200? What should I be looking for? does it matter what brand I get or should I just go by spec?
I did weld a bit years ago but had no idea what I was doing and need to start from scratch.
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W201 2.6 sportline
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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I would try to get some thing around 180 amps . A sealey is ok , a murex would be better . Don't bother getting anything woth less power as you will want to change it after a while . Anything which seems a common make , avoid odd stuff like wolf , or stuff thats chinease , you may not be able to get partshttp://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sealey-SUPERMIG180-Professional-MIG-Welder-180Amp-230V-With-Binzel-Euro-Torch-/261389297445?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3cdc042725
This is a new one but its only £100 more if you can stretch to it , it will always hold a fair bit of its value for resale if you keep it in good order .
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Get a decent earth clamp.
Try to avoid 'gasless' wire.
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omega
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,060
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make sure your mains electric can cope with the power
go for one with a euro torch or one that can be converted as parts are cheap
if you can get argon gas mix as your weld will be better
spend a few pounds on a DECENT HELMET
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wotnot
Part of things
Posts: 55
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Thanks for all that, good food for thought. having looked around online I don't think 200 quid will be enough. I'll see what 300 will buy
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W201 2.6 sportline
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sparkyt
Posted a lot
selling stuff
Posts: 1,767
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Look for copper transformer as the Ali transformer don't last with constant use
Plus look for a fan on the welder ... Helps keep things cool
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sparkyt
Posted a lot
selling stuff
Posts: 1,767
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Post your area up then local information can be given ..
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sparkyt
Posted a lot
selling stuff
Posts: 1,767
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Post your area up then local information can be given ..
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wotnot
Part of things
Posts: 55
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Hi sparkyt I'm near Bridgnorth in Shropshire. Been scanning ads for Mig welders and head spinning a bit.
From what I've been told here and elsewhere I've decided:
Clarke and Sealey are good for the money.
150 amps should do nicely in our single phase workshop with a 13 amp plug,
Would like minimum of 30 amp for mercedes sheet metal.
Copper transformer more durable.
Get a Euro torch.
Avoid no-name chinese units on ebay.
Forget about gas less.
Budget for a good visor and clamp.
£200 unlikely to cut it!
Cheers all so far
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W201 2.6 sportline
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wotnot
Part of things
Posts: 55
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I would start a build thread as I've done loads so far and photographed everything, but amounts to nothing compared to some of the awesome projects on here,
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W201 2.6 sportline
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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Basically the more money you spend the better welder you will get , it will have more adjustability to it so it will be nicer and easi er to weld with . A sealey would be good , i would'nt bother with a sip , every bought one years ago as lots of mags said they were great but there not all that . I wouldnt go below 150 amps , a 180 will be better oif you can push to it . It would have enough oommff to do bigger stuff for the workshop etc . Let us know how you get on
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as some of the other posts have said , go for a euro fitting torch , and if you do decide to go secondhand then try before you buy
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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Yes , deffo on the euro torch . If you don't know what it is , its a more heavy duty torch which universally fits welders so has no prob with spares . It is also non-live so if you torch the end it wont weld , and they are longer than a cheap rubbish one you get with crummy welders .
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omega
Posted a lot
Posts: 1,060
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for info
euro torch can be fitted to clark welders
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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for info euro torch can be fitted to clark welders A euro torch will fit any compatible welder , its universal thats the idea so that they all use the same spares |
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LowStandards
Club Retro Rides Member
Club Retro Rides Member 231
Posts: 2,719
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Yes to the eurotorch, no to high amps for bodywork, yes its nice to be able to blast 5+ mm together, but you do it so little and can normally get to both sides anyway
I'd be wanting to go as low as possible with the amps, mine does 15 which is nice...
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sparkyt
Posted a lot
selling stuff
Posts: 1,767
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If your doing body work spend time setting up good clean rust free is far easier to weld
Get your self a few good blocks of aluminium .. various sizes
You can't weld it to steel .. it an old welders trick
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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v
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Last Edit: Feb 5, 2014 21:43:51 GMT by grumpy
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grumpy
Part of things
Posts: 557
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Yes to the eurotorch, no to high amps for bodywork, yes its nice to be able to blast 5+ mm together, but you do it so little and can normally get to both sides anyway I'd be wanting to go as low as possible with the amps, mine does 15 which is nice... Ummmmmm ? If you get a 180 amp machine it will have better volt and feed adjustment meaning you will find it easier to weld . You obviously wouldnt use it on 180 amps would you ? . Better machine - better adjustment . |
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Last Edit: Feb 5, 2014 21:47:09 GMT by grumpy
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LowStandards
Club Retro Rides Member
Club Retro Rides Member 231
Posts: 2,719
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Not sure why big power = better feed? Or power adjustment for that matter
I'm saying don't get hung up on POWER!!111!!!
Most (especially cheaper - op is talking £200 here) ones that do big amps don't go low enough
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