ROBSTA
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Registered: 29th May 03
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i might be able to get myself a very cheap mig welder. its runs off gas if thats any help but what im after is if anyone can tell me how had it is to pick to do?
can you get ones thats dont run off gas?
help me please, thanks
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Mig welders don't run off gas, they run off electricity. The gas used is inert and is sprayed around the area being welded to stpo the steel or aluminium being oxidised when arced (heated).
You can buy, from Halfords or B&Q, a cheap MIG welder that will run with gas or without gas. To run the welder you can buy small bottles of gas that will fit onto your welder and a reel (the wire that is fed into the joint) which is made from a material for welding for gas welding. The actual gas is a mix of Argon and Carbon Dioxide.
For gasless welding you disconnet the gas bottle and use a gassless reel, this reel contains a flux to clean the joint.
The reels are automatically fed by the welder using a small motor and mechanism inside.
I'd recomend gasless welding if you are jus starting out, as it all happens a bit slower that gas welding, though most welders you buy are dual purpose...
As for the technique, go to the dump and find some bits of steel and practice loads, you will pick it up pretty easily, but you also need to know how to set the machine up, or you can burn holes through your work. The instructions that come with your welder will be a help... 
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ROBSTA
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Registered: 29th May 03
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Cheers mate
i work at a peugeot garage and the bodyshops closed so i might buy it, but no instruction. how much is one from halfords roughly? i wanna smooth boots and the bonnet on my 106 with it to make some spondulys!
cheers
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
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Mine was a poweful one and cost £250. They got chap ones there that'll cost about £100 though... If you'r doing car bodywork (NOT structural work) you only need a cheapy, cos you'll be running it at low power all the time anyway... If you need to do structural work you need a more powerful one cos the metals thicker and you need to melt it right through...
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ROBSTA
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Registered: 29th May 03
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cheers mate
i think ill invest in a new cheapish electric one cos im only gonna do bodywork and i dont know how old and kanckered it is!
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antscorsa
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Registered: 11th Aug 02
Location: london
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smooth boot over here plz geezer
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Ojc
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Registered: 14th Nov 00
Location: Reading: Drives : Clio 197
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Weld the doors shut
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combatvauxhall
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Registered: 3rd May 02
Location: Seer Green-Too close to winkers!!!
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Good luck trying to weld aluminium with a MIG/MAGS welder. The gas for MIG/MAGS is Argonshield Light, green and blue with a white top. The gas for TIG welding is PURE ARGONSHIELD.
If your just going to use it for bits and bobs on your car, just get a cheapy, probably wont be cost effective to get a big amp one. If your going to be welding at home go for the FLux impregnated reel as the shield of gas can be disrupted by the wind leaving you with bird shit welds!
Welding isn't too difficult to learn, in the beginning you'll blow through every thing go too slow, fast for area, but as they say practice makes perfect
Why not see if any local coleges do evening classes in Welding etc
Good luck fella and if you get stuck................
UNLUCKY
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