Welding at home

[Scotty200]

Hi all I'm after some advice, surprise surprise I've got some rot on my touring and being a diy man I would like to tackle some welding jobs myself, I've not really done any welding before, what welders/ type of welders do you guys advise? It's to work on the car and old jobs mostly, was thinking a mig welder? Any advise would be great
Thanks scott

[Speedtouch]

Yes, a MIG welder of at least 90 Amps or so is best, preferably a Gas one, but No-Gas types can be handy for occasional use. I would avoid SIP ones, as they have issues with the wire feed mechanism - Clarke are pretty good for DIY.

Also you'll need an angle grinder or at least tin-snips to cut the steel (and grind back the welds), and don't forget goggles and thick gloves, also a welding mask, preferably a solar automatic tint one, which makes life considerably easier to see what you're doing.

Wear overalls or old clothes which are flame-retardant, and sturdy shoes or boots.

Ensure you jack up the car carefully, and use axle stands to support it.

Take extra care if welding near fuel tank or brake/fuel lines and check for electrical cables running behind panels. Obviously ensure you're not near anything likely to catch fire!

Disconnect the car battery prior to starting welding, and keep a fire extinguisher handy.

If welding near glass or trim, cover it up to protect against weld spatter.

You can get tools to make holding the repair panels in place easier, such as magnets, panel clamps, etc.

A wire brush will also come in very handy, as will mats for lying under the car.

If using zinc-plated (galvanised) steel, be careful not to breathe in welding fumes, as they are highly toxic and will give you migraine, etc.

[Scotty200]

Hi speedtouch thanks for your reply, some very good information there thanks, I've been looking at a wolf professional mig welder 140 turbo reduced to £160 on eBay if that's any good?
Cheers scott

[Speedtouch]

Sounds fine to me. I've used a Clarke 90EN No-Gas one for yonks at home, and it's been mostly satisfactory, though we have a bigger gas jobbie on wheels at work, which makes life a little easier.

Smaller amperage ones tend to only allow about 20-30 minutes of welding before getting too hot and cutting out for 10 minutes or so, whereas bigger capacity ones allow welding for far longer.

[BHadley]

Gas can be got from car part supply shops, 10 litres upwards (as a guide I used 5 litres on 14 patches) small bottles that come with Clarke/wolf units don't last long.

Twin gauge regulator for gas is good to show bottle content and pressure your using

I think it's 5% argon I've got, but some have used c02 pub soft drink gas as well don't know how good / strong it welds

[maxfield]

I've recently treated myself to a 200amp MIG/TIG welder admitted it was good money but it shows when it comes to welding.

I've used a lot of welders over the years I think sealey and Clarke are both good value for money and both can produce good welds, obviously it takes some practicing.

Another thing is to have a good mask, I've got a solar/battery power mask. Wasn't a lot of money but works well when spotting on body work.

Another thing I would always get a gas welder. My preferred gas for MIG is Argosheild. Produces a nicer weld than just Co2. What you might find with the smaller welders is they only come with a small gas feed pipe, but you can buy adapters to use proper regulators.

If I was you I'd try and find a local welding supplies place and let them kit you out. I've got a local guy who does everything and it's always cheaper when you take cash.

[Scotty200]

Thanks guys for all the advice you have given,I have ordered the wolf mig welder if I get good at welding il treat myself to a nicer one lol just collecting scrap bits of metal got a lesson on the weekend from a good friend of mine who is a welder/ fabricator by trade wish me luck lol
Does anybody no thickness of metal is on a e30 touring e.g. Floorpans, body panels?
Cheers scott

[Speedtouch]

Most modern cars are 0.8mm thick mild steel, however, some more recent cars are galvanised.

[maxfield]

I use 18 gauge steel on body work, which is 1.2mm I think.

[Scotty200]

Thanks for the replys guys, I will be on the look out for some thin steel to practice on before I get set working on the car, welding is something I have wanted to learn for ages so I can learn a new skill and fix my car it's a win win

[Sanchez]

Practice on the same thickness metal that you will weld on your car then you will be used to the settings on the welder.

Thicker metal needs hotter welder temp and slower wire feed so you heat the two metals enough for a strong weld, if the wire speed is too fast it splatters.

Practice, practice practice. I'm doing the same just now with my welder I use to use on my mini 20 years ago.

[Speedtouch]

You could get hold of some scrap car panels to practice on, to get a good feel for the typical panel thickness...