Clarke pro 90 MIG good for general bodywork repairs?

[jakeria]

I've never welded in my life before, have read a through a lot of threads etc on the subject. I was given an arc welder but have since read they are hard to get right weld on such thin metal blowing holes and all that. So I'm just wondering if this and an auto dimming mask, thick gloves would be fine to do :

rear wheel arches/boot floor
patch hole on door
Seams running down from rear lights
patch slam panel
And to stitch seams/strengthen panels should I consider an engine conversion.

Could anyone also recommend good brand of wire?

I'm going to get my hands on some scrap steel and practice before I start on my 'loon.

Any and all information welcomed, thank you.

[Frisco]

A 90 is a bit small tbh. You'd be better with a 130 or 150

[MIXA]

i have a 90 its ok and an ideal starter as you cannot weld yet but as above the larger machine is better i only have a 90 as it was cheap off ebay and i can weld so i new what to look for and could test it before i paid if your going to the expense of an autodim mask get the biggest you can afford will allow you to do more types of work

[MSG]

sorry to hijack your thread jakrea, but it is related, and you might benefit out of this question as well as i could do with Mig expertice advice, the question is does Auto-dimming mask allows you to have some visibility or does it go totally blackout? because when i have tried using a dark only mask, I can't see any damn lines and end up welding elsewhere other than where the weld should have been. So in between i have been sneaking the welding and that cannot be good for the eyes, and can cause permanent damage.

I beleive some masks you can adjust the level of darkness, so would this help and make a compromise between protecting your eyes and as well as allowing you to weld along the lines you intend to weld.

thanks in advance

[DarrenH]

in terms of specifications, on paper, the rig will be fine for what you want to do.

the trade off with cheap machines is the components used to make it, transormer, wire feed, torch liner, torch, small resolution on the settings. these will be low quality and will have you questioning your skill, your settings and your sanity if you learn to mig weld on it. if you already have some skill it will be ok.

you can get various grades of auto dimming mask, same as with standard filters. some posh ones have an adjustmen for it, and also for reaction time (so it doesnt un-dimm between spot welds for instance)

re: msg. in the undimmed state you have about the same visibility as some strong sunglasses.

[MIXA]

sorry to hijack your thread jakrea, but it is related, and you might benefit out of this question as well as i could do with Mig expertice advice, the question is does Auto-dimming mask allows you to have some visibility or does it go totally blackout? because when i have tried using a dark only mask, I can't see any damn lines and end up welding elsewhere other than where the weld should have been. So in between i have been sneaking the welding and that cannot be good for the eyes, and can cause permanent damage.

I beleive some masks you can adjust the level of darkness, so would this help and make a compromise between protecting your eyes and as well as allowing you to weld along the lines you intend to weld.

thanks in advance

the glass your using is to dark there are different grades as for taking a pep when you catch a flash you will then know why this is a nono starts about 8 hrs after you get the flash and can last for days plus a trip to a&e its like having a cup of sand in your eyes
theres a section in total vauxhall this month on mig welding for beginers

[MSG]

thanks mate, i will try and order one of these adjustable ones, be it more expensive, but it would allow me to see a little better i guess.

[redtopnutta]

im after a good mig at the moment too and been told anything above 120amp

[MIXA]

make sure it has a cooling fan

[Benn]

I have a 90, it's really not powerful enough do get a good weld. I'm binning mine for a 151 as they have much better power.

[Violet]

It is harder with cheap machines - I had a Sip gasless one, and then got a 300+ quid Clarke 151EN thingy and my welding skills went through the roof.

What you have though is good enough, if you don't mind cleaning up with a grinder.

[MIXA]

the 151 is a far better machine but a 90 should do pefectly well on body work

[Benn]

In my findings, a 90 will join panels but not very well. I really wouldn't bother, save up and get a better more powerful welder.

[redtopnutta]

good info!

[davecavcon]

ive had about 5 welders now and this one knocks spots of anything sub £1500.

160AMP ESAB CADDY MIG C160i MIG WELDER GAS/GASLESS | eBay


i did about 6 days worth of welding with it and it made me look like a super pro, its the easiest ever to use
oh and i sold it for £40 less than i paid for it!!
its a real weapon of a machine and the Esab advert shows a guy on a motorbike traveling with it as its so portable.

yes its expensive but i will gurantee if you got one you would'nt look back and if your ever skint you can always sell it straight away plus you will loose next to no money, but buy a clark, sip, cebora etc and you will get about half what you paid, not so nice to use and bloody heavy to move about where as the Esab well its on another level!!