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MG Midget and Sprite General - Arc Welder

Lidl are selling an Arc Welder for £35 complete with mask, rod holder, rods etc.

I know less than nothing about welders but the price of this one tempts me into giving welding a try.

While I understand that most people use MIG, what are the comparisons between the two types of welding and is arc welding suited to Spridget repairs?

Dave
D MATTHEWS

I think you would find arc welding very difficult on thin car bodywork. Works fine for welding plate and thicker material. First thing I welded was a car transporter trailer that I built years ago, using scrap angle iron from several old bed frames!
Guy

Dave,

I'd save your pennies and get a cheap MIG welder, preferably after getting a bit of experience at a college evening class if you can find one these days or with a mate that has a welder. An arc welder can be used for car body work but the skill level required is much higher than MIG and that takes time to acquire, also you would need to get the unit set right and use low penetration rods to make it easier.

Ask around as you may know people that have welders tucked under a bench. I was given a Clarke 90 a couple of years ago and that ran sweet and would be fine for car body use.
David Billington

Actually if it's this offering http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_20110.htm it may not be able to be turned down enough to do most car sheet metal as it's only listed to go down to 40A. Best not go there anyway.
David Billington

<<< First thing I welded was a car transporter trailer that I built years ago, using scrap angle iron from several old bed frames! >>>

I'm very impressed Guy: first thing I welded was the G clamp to the scrap metal on which I was practising !
David Cox

Ho ho, very good! I skipped the practising bit, since I couldn't see what I was doing anyway!
Guy

Guy,

Hopefully the car trailer held up as bed angle iron is often notoriously hard and an unknown quantity material wise so welding it is generally not recommended for anything important like a car trailer.
David Billington

It was a very long time ago. I cannot even remember what became of the trailer but do remember it served quite well for collecting up MOT failed minis and Heralds for several years that people wanted rid of.
Guy

LIDL is great.

One week they have a special offer on MIG welding wire, next trumpets (a trumpet with your weekly shop!?!), then a guitar/amp, drumkit, ... no other superamerket competes for surprise/entertainment value.

A
Anthony Cutler

bet they were surprised, having ordered crumpets


I'm on my way already...
David Cox

My first welding was a gate - the dogs are still in, so guess it wasn't too bad ...
rachmacb

Thanks for the advice folks,

Sounds as though the MIG is the way to go.

I'll keep the 35 quid firmly in my pocket.

Dave
D MATTHEWS

This thread was discussed between 20/04/2011 and 21/04/2011

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