Mig welder amps

MadManish · Apr 6, 2014

Hi chaps just wondered would a 30-135 amp mig be ok for use on an old lightweight s3??

I have read that you need 150 amps to do chassis repairs is there any truth in this?
Ta lads I'm off for a :tea:

Dr_evil · Apr 6, 2014

buy a bigger one......

listerdiesel · Apr 6, 2014

As Dr E says, the tiddler welders haven't got the output or the duty cycle rating to do heavy welds at the highest power.

Look for up to 175/200A at least, and check the duty cycle as well, that makes a big difference.

Peter

Dr_evil · Apr 6, 2014

Or weld like a man

buy an old stick welder! Mine runs all day at max power

MadManish · Apr 6, 2014

I though stick/arc welders won't do thin bits of steel (foot wells etc)?? If that's not the case and a stick welder will do the job trust me I'll get one. I'm all for doing things like a man I use an open razor and went up Ben Nevis dressed in tweed!

Dr_evil · Apr 6, 2014

Stick welder will if you get one that goes low enough, I've welded the bulkhead with mine but diff pans are far too thin for it.......

jamesmartin · Apr 6, 2014

MadManish said:
I though stick/arc welders won't do thin bits of steel (foot wells etc)?? If that's not the case and a stick welder will do the job trust me I'll get one. I'm all for doing things like a man I use an open razor and went up Ben Nevis dressed in tweed!

you dont want a stick unless you want holes , use your mig,chassis plate isnt that thick, 2mm 135 amp welder will weld that

Dr_evil · Apr 6, 2014

jamesmartin said:
you dont want a stick unless you want holes get use your mig,chassis plate isnt that thick, 2mm

You don't get holes if you have it set up right!

jamesmartin · Apr 6, 2014

Dr_evil said:
You don't get holes if you have it set up right!

stick welder is not the right tool

Dr_evil · Apr 6, 2014

jamesmartin said:
stick welder is not the right tool

Its what they would have used originally.....only managed to blow a hole in my chassis because I forgot to turn the amps back down after making up some sliders. The rotten 2.5mm didn't react well to 120A and 7018's

Thor1950 · Apr 6, 2014

jamesmartin said:
stick welder is not the right tool

+1 james..........

MadManish · Apr 6, 2014

So a little 135-150amp mig will be fine?? Anybody got a wolf mig welder or have any opinions on them??

pressbrake · Apr 6, 2014

Thor1950 said:
+1 james..........

Not right tool for a beginner but I'd trust a £100 arc over £200 mig with someone's life any day

jamesmartin · Apr 6, 2014

MadManish said:
So a little 135-150amp mig will be fine?? Anybody got a wolf mig welder or have any opinions on them??

the only problems with little welders is they dont like constant use but for repairs that shouldnt be an issue and they dont turn down as far as bigger better welders, fine for most landy stuff but might struggle on the thinnest stuff

Dr_evil · Apr 6, 2014

pressbrake said:
Not right tool for a beginner but I'd trust a £100 arc over £200 mig with someone's life any day

I trust my £40 Oxford arc

An old Oxford or Pickhill Bantam like I have will outlive any welder on the market today as well! Plus when they die they're worth more in scrap copper now than when they were new!

MadManish · Apr 6, 2014

From what I have been told I need a mig that will drop down to 40amps for the thin stuff would that be right??

Dr_evil · Apr 6, 2014

Buy the most expensive second hand one you can afford, I'd suggest a make like murex or miller, old butters units are good too or a second hand portamig

jamesmartin · Apr 6, 2014

MadManish said:
From what I have been told I need a mig that will drop down to 40amps for the thin stuff would that be right??

or lower ,but if your just really doing chassis work as you would be on a lightweight not that vital

MadManish · Apr 6, 2014

So far from what I can see I need to do the door bottoms, foot wells and the rad panels at the front.

jamesmartin · Apr 6, 2014

MadManish said:
So far from what I can see I need to do the door bottoms, foot wells and the rad panels at the front.

none of those are over thin, i used to use a 130 snap on (cebora)welder years ago as was easily transported not as good as my workshop welder but did well enough

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