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MG MGB Technical - Welding Machine type?

Hi, I am considering buying another 'B' which required quite a bit of welding to the sills and new wings etc.
Although I have used 'MIG' equipment when I was working, it was industrial size. I need to buy my own for my workshop, but am confused with what to buy - 100/130/200 amp, gas or flux covered wire, size of wire etc. Jargon goes beyond me so could any member recommend a straight forward set-up which is not too expensive and would do for my requirements?
Appreciate your time and trouble.
Pete
Pete Dyble

Biggest you can run off a 3-pin plug, afford and have space for. Look at Clarke, Sealey, Halfords etc. Unless you a doing a lot then flux cored wire is far more convenient for occasional use than gas bottles, as mine is now.
Paul Hunt

Depends on how much you want to do and how good a welder you are!

I no longer bother as I have a professional welding man down the road that has heavy duty mobile gear and will weld bits for me at a good rate - probably actually cheaper then buying the gas!
Chris at Octarine Services

Thanks Chris,
I would like to do the welding myself and want it to weld sills and wings etc.
Thanks Paul,
Yes it would have to run off a 3-pin plug and flux core sounds easier than gas - is the standard of weld the same? What is the amps of your welder and what would the minimum be to weld sills and wings etc?
Thanks for your time.
Pete
Pete Dyble

Get a min 140 amp welder, large reel or wire and a BOC large bottle of Argon/CO2 mix.

90 amps welders struggle, especially with sills where you have 3 sheets of metal to join, though I prefer to use a spot welder on these panels.
Chris at Octarine Services

As Chris says 140Amp welder and a 5kg wire reel is what's in my garage. I've grown up from a smaller 100A unit and find the quality of welds improved significantly (might just be I'm getting more practiced lol).
I've not tried flux core wire and would be interested to hear further from Paul on the quality/difficulty in use.
In terms of gas bottles, and as an alternative to a large BOS bottle, I've moved to a Hobbyweld bottle (there are others). Benefits are; the smaller bottle is easier to move around, no rental charge (just don't expect all your deposit back at the end) and gas refill price reasonable. Drawbacks; doesn't last as long as the BOC bottle which is filled to a much higher pressure.
This is not a problem for an occasional user and you will do most of the welding on a B with about two fills (approx £100)
To be balenced in my information; BOC now also supply a small rental free bottle that I've not tested for duration in use. It is very small (12" tall) but size is not the only consideration, fill pressure also needs consideration as to how long it will last and it's supposed to hold the same amount of gas as about six disposables. Probably too small for me but would be great for a mobile welder.

best of....
MGmike
M McAndrew

Mine appears to be only 80 amp max but still welds up to 3mm, and I've welded small parts heavier than that.

As to gas or not as I say it depends on how often you will be using it. When I first got mine it was for the restoration on the roadster so I used the small gas bottles. But when it came down to only intermittent use the small bottle were forever empty, which is when I switched to gasless. As a novice and occasional user I've found gasless giving better results as it is one thing less to adjust, and I probably was a bit mean with the gas as it is a pain getting so far then running out. Gasless probably needs better ventilation though.
Paul Hunt

I use Hobbyweld who are a nationwide franchise. Good size bottles and good value, a trade friend now uses them as they are cheaper than anyone else he has found!

http://www.hobbyweld.co.uk/
Pat Gregory

This thread was discussed between 07/10/2013 and 08/10/2013

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