17 replies to this topic

[rosstolley]

Any views on the above?

I'm after something small and good for a beginner.

Cheers,

[minibarnerz]

I used one, not great, but very useable.

[ANON]

naff, especially for a beginner.

[charie t]

I'm after something small and good for a beginner.

Get gas then

[Andrew O]

Everyone seems to say gas all the way but I use a gas less one and get on just fine with it

[matty...]

Gasless welders are enough to put anyone off welding for life!

Gas migs are cheap enough these days, and will give much better/cleaner welds.

[stretters]

I used a gasless on my old mini's drivers side floor pan, cost alot of money on wire and time to get it right and look good.

Then I got given a Clarke gas welder and the passenger side floor pan was a breeze, quick and easy with a lot less to grind back.

The initial set up was ok with the small gas bottles, but I have since brought a big bottle regulator and purchased a converted fire extinguisher from my local shop.

So much cheaper to run now and good results every time! Only a tenner to swap bottles and it's 4 foot high!

[newnham500]

I've been told they spray excess all over the place, but the way I see it. Your gonna be grinding the welds down flat anyway, so if it saves money.

[JustSteve]

The weld will be half as good AND you will have to spend 10 times longer grinding the weld down.

personally for me, I'd rather pay a bit more, and get the job done MUCH quicker, stronger, and make a much more satisfying job.

[Tupers]

Gasless is great for industrial work and ship building where lugging bottles around isn't viable but for vehicle restoration it's just not the way to go.

[Tupers]

Just another note, if you have to grind a weld down for it to look good (gas or gasless) it was never a good weld in the first place.

[rosstolley]

Looking like i'll be putting my money on the gas then

[pump]

Was just going to post a question on this, was about to buy a gas less one before i seen this thread. Looks like gas so.

[dklawson]

Now it's my turn to muddy the waters.

Consider a scratch- or lift-start inverter TIG unit. It will cost a bit more than some MIG welders but in the end you will have almost no grinding to do... if any at all. The downside is that it is slower than MIG and you will therefore probably go through more shielding gas. For panel work even the smallest TIGs will work.

[Tupers]

TIGs are amazing for fine panel work but personally I would only go down that route if you've got the time and money to go on a decent body work oriented TIG welding course. There's a lot more to TIG welding than there is to MIG so although the end result is better it takes a lot longer to lean and might not be worth it for a one off project.