10 replies to this topic

[mister bridger]

My 25 year old 130amp mig welder has finally given up the ghost and I need to replace it. Now I know the gasless ones are not generally well thought of but which budget gas version to go for? I never do anything more than car body repairs on thin sheet steel. Is a 100amp model up to the job? - they're considerably cheaper! All advice gratefully received.

[R1minimagic]

100 Amp should be plenty good enough, the Machine Mart (Clarke) welders are very good value for money and seem reliable too..

[cradley-heathen]

i have used a siegen 150 which was from bob richardson tools for £200 cash, very good welder for the money

[KEV@POWARTEK]

As above, Go for the Clarke rage from Machine mart. 100amp set will be fine however Id personally go for the set with built in cooling fan for prolonged welding.

Mine is the 150TE model and its perfect for me even welding upto 6mm thick sections on wrought iron gateworks etc.

[Bungle]

i struggled with the 105 amp welder i borrowed to weld my camper together

i know the camper isn't a mini but the sheet steel for the body is the same thickness

i have now bought my self a 150 clark welder

[R1minimagic]

I had (still have) a Clarke Pro Mig 90, you can't use it on bodywork on the top setting, it just melts right through. But 90A is good for welding brackets and so on up to a few mm thick.

[minisi35]

I use a minimig135 and it welds up to 3mm fine

[mister bridger]

Well I've done a bit of reading up and it seems the MINIMUM ampage is whats important for thin steel. 25-30 amps apparently. Higher minimum ampage will result in a lot of holes blown through the metal. In the meantime I have managed to cobble together the knackered hose/torch assembly and will struggle on for a while. All the 90-100 amp models seem to be gasless ones anyway

[dow62]

Have a Clarke 151te cant fault it. About £300 ish from MachineMart

[R1minimagic]

Yes if you can get one that goes down to 30A that will be good for bodywork.

The Pro Mig 90 isn't gasless..

http://www.machinema...o-90-mig-welder

Edited by R1minimagic, 23 December 2011 - 05:10 PM.

[sonikk4]

I can recommend the 135TE Turbo from Clarke. It does everything you will need for a Mini and i have welded up to 1/4" steel with it very nicely and down to .8mm again with no problems.