Omega Owners Forum

Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: hotel21 on 18 August 2011, 23:17:19

Title: Needing a new welder
Post by: hotel21 on 18 August 2011, 23:17:19
After some hamfisted, neanderthall, shit for brains ringpiece socalled workmate rubber ducked my one. Old, like my good self, it may have been but still had a fair few MOT weld sesh's in it.

Anyone any recommendations as to make/price/where to buy, please?  Got full size bottle of proper gas, but it will only be used for hobby use, not a living.

Ta.......
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Andy B on 18 August 2011, 23:35:37
MIG? TIG? MMA(stick)? Can't make any suggestions on make, but the modern inverter TIG/MMA are comparatively cheap these days and you get tow welders in one compact box.  :y
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Vamps on 18 August 2011, 23:57:29
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MIG? TIG? MMA(stick)? Can't make any suggestions on make, but the modern inverter TIG/MMA are comparatively cheap these days and you get tow welders in one compact box.  :y

Given that he has a bottle of gas, I assumed a Mig Welder............ :-/ :-/ :-/
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Andy B on 19 August 2011, 00:09:54
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MIG? TIG? MMA(stick)? Can't make any suggestions on make, but the modern inverter TIG/MMA are comparatively cheap these days and you get tow welders in one compact box.  :y

Given that he has a bottle of gas, I assumed a Mig Welder............ :-/ :-/ :-/

Quite likely, but as he's now buying a new welder he's got the choice of opening his welding horizons.  :y :y
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: tidla on 19 August 2011, 00:27:22
had a clark for ages, always needed bits an pieces, then a sig with the wire on the side.. piece of c*ap.the company i used to work for had a sealey 90 amp ish , had it since i worked there in 1995 and still working, i bought one on this premise (new manufacturing standards) 2 circuit boards so far..

hope this helps..
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Debs. on 19 August 2011, 08:33:29
This MIG is good value and from a seller of good repute on the MIG Welding Forum (the seller 'Weldequip' is based in North-Lancs. and has a physical-shop & an online presence):

http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm

I have an earlier version of this model and it is very good. :y
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 19 August 2011, 09:04:31
The Clarke Mig's are about the best of the hobby ranges.

Do be aware that you wont be able to get more than 130-140A from a 13A fused supply.
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: hoofing it on 19 August 2011, 09:22:01
Ive had my Clarke welder(150amp mig) for about 10yrs now and its still going strong.
If it failed i'd buy another Clarke.
I also converted it to use a full size argosheild bottle with an attachment I bought from BOC that clips onto the wee thin gas pipe :y
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: aaronjb on 19 August 2011, 09:23:17
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Do be aware that you wont be able to get more than 130-140A from a 13A fused supply.

I knew there was a reason I had a 16A commando circuit installed in the garage .. if I was ever going to be brave enough to use a welder ;D
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 August 2011, 09:55:29
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Do be aware that you wont be able to get more than 130-140A from a 13A fused supply.

I knew there was a reason I had a 16A commando circuit installed in the garage .. if I was ever going to be brave enough to use a welder ;D

Oh.. Didn't go for a 32, then? :-/
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: hotel21 on 19 August 2011, 10:05:18
The one I have is an ancient Cebora pocket mig. Nothing fancy, 4 power settings with variable spool speed. Converted to run full size bottle and full size wire spool and has done many a job over the (probable) 20 years that I have had it plus the time from the previous owner.

Have had a search and closest find is a turbo fan version. This one has no fan but the spares available may mean that I can perhaps breath some life back into it yet rather than spend out on a new one.

Thanks for the info and links.  :y
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: aaronjb on 19 August 2011, 10:06:40
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Do be aware that you wont be able to get more than 130-140A from a 13A fused supply.

I knew there was a reason I had a 16A commando circuit installed in the garage .. if I was ever going to be brave enough to use a welder ;D

Oh.. Didn't go for a 32, then? :-/

Nah - though I could run that size socket (the SWA to the house is rated high enough - I just couldn't use much else at the same time!) I didn't see myself needing anything over 16A..

I'm sure time will prove me wrong, though!
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 August 2011, 10:15:20
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Nah - though I could run that size socket (the SWA to the house is rated high enough - I just couldn't use much else at the same time!) I didn't see myself needing anything over 16A..

I'm sure time will prove me wrong, though!

I'm thinking about it, for home brewing purposes. ;)
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 19 August 2011, 10:20:15
Try to get the Cebora working as they are a great little MIG set.

As for power supply needs, having access to a local 'facility' with 3 phase, machinery, welders (upto 450amp MIG and ARC) means I dont need anything to industrial at home
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: andyc on 19 August 2011, 10:35:07
Got some 150amp 230v Siegen (Sealy) units on special offer at the moment

Normal RRP was 449.95 but doing at 199.95 + Vat

model number is S0816 if you want to look it up on there webb site

Cheers
Andy
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: aaronjb on 19 August 2011, 15:05:04
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Nah - though I could run that size socket (the SWA to the house is rated high enough - I just couldn't use much else at the same time!) I didn't see myself needing anything over 16A..

I'm sure time will prove me wrong, though!

I'm thinking about it, for home brewing purposes. ;)

Crikey Kevin, what are you brewing that you need 32A for? Rocket fuel? :)
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 August 2011, 15:15:45
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Crikey Kevin, what are you brewing that you need 32A for? Rocket fuel? :)

Impatience, mainly - waiting for stuff to boil. ;D

Just wondering how many kettle elements to fit in the boiler and liquor tank, and don't really want to be the architect of a temperature controller that has multiple 13A plugs feeding it.  :-X
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: aaronjb on 19 August 2011, 16:13:28
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Crikey Kevin, what are you brewing that you need 32A for? Rocket fuel? :)

Impatience, mainly - waiting for stuff to boil. ;D

Just wondering how many kettle elements to fit in the boiler and liquor tank, and don't really want to be the architect of a temperature controller that has multiple 13A plugs feeding it.  :-X

 ;D ;D Ahh go for the 13A plugs - what could possibly go wrong?

Surely a small electrical fire will just make the process quicker ;)
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 19 August 2011, 17:03:39
Yeh, multiple 13A plus is good.

It should also be easy, your going to need an opto as part of the stat control system so why not just add a few!
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Nick W on 19 August 2011, 18:40:51
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MIG? TIG? MMA(stick)? Can't make any suggestions on make, but the modern inverter TIG/MMA are comparatively cheap these days and you get tow welders in one compact box.  :y


I don't see much use in TIG for car use. It requires far more attention to fitting up and cleanliness. It's technical qualities aren't necessary for sheetmetal work.
MIG is much more suitable/easier/cheaper/quicker.

And before anyone asks, I do have both! I bought an AC TIG because I wanted one, had the money at the time and wanted the gear to weld aluminium; I've never actually used it on a car.

For automotive use you'd be better with oxy-acetylene; I found that I used mine for heating things as much as I did welding with it; until some theiving git(sorry - underpriviliged unfortunate) stole it.
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: hercules on 19 August 2011, 19:56:26
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The one I have is an ancient Cebora pocket mig. Nothing fancy, 4 power settings with variable spool speed. Converted to run full size bottle and full size wire spool and has done many a job over the (probable) 20 years that I have had it plus the time from the previous owner.

Have had a search and closest find is a turbo fan version. This one has no fan but the spares available may mean that I can perhaps breath some life back into it yet rather than spend out on a new one.

Thanks for the info and links.  :y
ooh a cebora,8 year ago when i was fabricating we had a cebora,it was something like 450 or 480 i cant remember but what a beast i really enjoyed whacking the power up and going for it on that bitch :y
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Andy B on 19 August 2011, 21:29:28
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....

I don't see much use in TIG for car use. It requires far more attention to fitting up and cleanliness. It's technical qualities aren't necessary for sheetmetal work.
MIG is much more suitable/easier/cheaper/quicker.

And before anyone asks, I do have both! I bought an AC TIG because I wanted one, had the money at the time and wanted the gear to weld aluminium; I've never actually used it on a car.

For automotive use you'd be better with oxy-acetylene; I found that I used mine for heating things as much as I did welding with it; until some theiving git(sorry - underpriviliged unfortunate) stole it.


I agree re oxy/acetylene but not that readily available for home use.
MIG produces a very hard weld which isn't that easy to rework, but doesn't put as much heat into the weld as gas or TIG. And I've never used TIG on a car either.  ;) ;)
Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 19 August 2011, 21:37:55
I love using TIG on thin sheet steel, it works great.

I find gas pretty awful on thin steel and MIG does work well (although never had any issues with re-working it).

Not a fan of arc but use it when outside if I have to.

Title: Re: Needing a new welder
Post by: Kevin Wood on 19 August 2011, 22:50:06
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Yeh, multiple 13A plus is good.

It should also be easy, your going to need an opto as part of the stat control system so why not just add a few!

True. Will be switching the elements with SSR modules so they already provide isolation. It's not going to be a proper suicide plug. ;D The garage has its' own ring main too, so the total load on that can be managed.