MIG Welders.

[Pete]

I got a Clarke 150 about 10 years ago and it's still going nicely. The only thing I would suggest is don't bother with the little gas bottles as they run out just when you're halfway through a job!

[Sonic ZS]

Originally Posted by spyder

Sonic, where do you get your gas bottle or refills from?

Hi Craig,

I used to have a medium sized bottle of 'Argoshield 5' from BOC (set up the account years ago, when I bought the MIG), but they charge annual rental, refill, etc, etc. and it gets very expensive if, like me, some years you don't actually do any welding at all.

Then I found that my local motor factors (Mill Autos, where Oxfordblue75 works ) were offering non-rental bottles from a company called 'SGS'. Similar size and range of gases as BOC, but a lot cheaper in the long run. You pay a initial refundable deposit on the bottle plus a payment for the gas and that's it. So when it runs out, let's say in 5 years, you just go back to a supplier and pay for the new gas. And if you ever decide to give up welding, just return the bottle and get your deposit back.

BOC then tried to say they were filled to a lower pressure and hence not such good value, but I went ahead and when I connected the regulator, the pressures were identical from memory

I'm not exactly sure where you are in Wiltshire, but a quick search on their stockist locator is bringing up 'Melksham Motor Spares' of SN12 6SS - don't know if this might be near to you ? However, if you enter your own postcode, there may be one closer ??

Here's a link...

http://www.sgsgases.co.uk/

Hope that helps

[spyder]

Thanks Paul, that will help. Dorset Auto spares in Andover, where I get most of my sundries and service spares.

[Jumper75]

A needle scaler helps a lot with sills and wheelarches. It will strip the paint and punch through any rot or thin metal in seconds, anything that's left is strong enough to take a weld.

[Jim Jamieson]

I had an SiP Mig when I carried out the restoration/rebuild on my SD1 Vitesse.

My only mistake was not going for a larger gas bottle as it cost me a fortune replacing the gas cylinders.

Remember to make sure your work is clean and free of rust.
When welding overhead I used a pair of full length welding gloves and I also had some non flammable matting to use as protection.

You can't be too careful as accidents can happpen very easily. I managed to spear my hand with an off cut of welding wire which penetrated almost two inches into my hand. I couldn't believe just how deep it was in as I pulled it back out.

[spyder]

Eventually settled for one of these. Bought a 10kg Co2/argon bottle and regulator-which cost more than the machine.

Set it all up and struggled to get the wire though at first, the feed does seem to be the Achilles heel with these cheap machines.

Welded some 4mm plate as well as 1mm plate and it seems to be working.

[Sonic ZS]

Same bottle as I've got ! I'm sure you'll do well with it, looking good

[spyder]

Originally Posted by Sonic ZS

Same bottle as I've got ! I'm sure you'll do well with it, looking good

Wonder where I got the idea from. Thank you for that. Walked into Dorset Spares and out 5 minutes later with the bottle of gas-and a lighter credit card.

45 floor pan and sill tomorrow...

[Sonic ZS]

That does look very nice Craig, I'd be interested to hear what you think of the Wolf product once you've had chance to have a 'play'

My old one has the old type basic torch, clamp, etc. so always keen to hear any new product reviews