Advice please!

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clivvy

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hey chaps!!

My Maverick MOT has run out, and now the car is sat in the back looking sorry for itself. I know for a fact it will fail-due to the front cross member being rusted (the bit where the bumper bolts slot through)

anyhoo, I figure I have a few choices-give in and sell it as is spares or repairs. Buy a welder, learn welding, and fix it myself. Take it to a garage and have it repaired and MOT'd.

so, I figure its pointless trying to get it through an MOT before fixing it. I wonder if I am better off buying a welding machine, and learning. I have to weld new steel to the front cross member section where the bumper bolts slot through. I also need to both sills, possibly inner, definately outer. I MIGHT also need to do the drivers rear seatbelt mount. NOTHING on the car is majorly bad apart from the front cross member bit-its obvious and ownt be missed by an MOT'er.

anyhoo, with that in mind, if I go for the DIY job, I figured buying a used welder is the way to go. I saw a Clarke EasiArc on ebay pretty cheap, but then I wasnt sure what type of welder id be better with. I would be needing to weld new steel onto both inner sills, crossmember and rear arch and i would need to weld on some box section to both outer sills. What sort of welder is suitable for this, what is the lowest amps i need, and what sort of thickness steel would i be using for those sorts of jobs?

I just need to get my head organised so i can decide what to do, as there is nothing worse than stuff sitting there.

hope you can help!:bow
 
Clivvy, buy a Mig welder that uses gas, you will be able to weld car panels, arc welders are to fierce for body work
 
I think if you are asking these questions, then I don't think you should be welding a vehicle.

I have played with welding 3-6mm steel, but there is no way I would weld bodywork, which might only be 1-1.5 mm thick.

You are relying on your unknown skill to protect the occupants within your vehicle, and other road users. Imagine the seat belt fixing ripping out in a frontal collision:doh. Don't go there.

There is a huge risk that you will set fire to it.
Burn holes through it.
Damage other components of the vehicle.


Surely there is a member local to you who could help, or advise of a suitable welder with the required skills, materials and tools.

Rustic
 
Do you know anybody that could lend you a mig welder to have a play about with before you take the plunge and shell out a few hundred quid on a welder
You may find you cant get on with this welding lark
I would have a play before you start chopping the mav up and rendering even worse
Dont bother looking at arc stick welders go for a mig that runs gas or gasless wire personaly i would buy new unless you know how a used machine should run you could end up buying a crock of shite
 
Also agree with rustic a lot of people think they can weld but it ammounts to no more than slag sitting on the surface
 
cheers guys, perfectly reasonable replies to be honest. Maybe a re think is in order-welding is something i have never done and although I would be willing to learn, as suggested perhaps this car isnt the one to learn on!!

I may just put the car on ebay spares or repairs.
 
I bought a mig welder about 8 years ago its payed for itself time and time again..

Cheers Gav
 
too far for me I am afraid, but go with the general comments so far, borrow a welder and have a play first, it is all too easy to just lay some weld on to the metal but not actually attached, with devastating results, Rick
 
Is there any one local to you that is a mobile welder if you do all the prep work to keep the cost down get someone around to give you a price
 
ill have a look for some numbers-i dont know anyone round here that is a mobile welder. be good to get a price, its hard making a decision when i have no idea of the costs involved.

what can I do with regards the sills? i was thinking of having some box section fitted or rock slider or something, what are my options herE? i dont care how it looks-all i care about is strength and MOT. im just thinking in terms of prep work i would be fine cutting off the outer sills.
 
Clivvy, did you not try our mate Martin???? Thought you'd emailed him after I'd spoken to him back in January?

Let me know if there's anything I can Clivvy
 
Wasnt there a guy that lived in your area that used to be on here that is a welder:nenau

yeah Martin, he had offered to do it but I never heard from him. We had bad snow at the time, so I just figured it was that and he is probably busy. I havent seen him in ages so I am not going to bother him with the job as he is probably busy.
 
see if you can borrow one or even hire one HHS may do one, for 1-1.5mm u'll need one a 125-150amp anything bigger will blow great big holes in it.

get some scrap steel & try welding if different way i.e. 90 degree angles check the other side once your done as you should be able to see penetration (will look like oil marks & changed color.

Have a look at my photo bucket account in my signature its got pics of welding only on 3mm stuff :thumb2
 
I never thought of hiring, ill check how much that costs....although in saying that I probably wouldnt be able to afford to hire one for long enough as I would need to learn how to weld first!

good idea though, ill check how much it is.

**checked, for the costs, id be better off buying one!
 
Not one to influence anyone, but i bought a sealey mighty mig 100 a couple of years ago, good value and as far as i can tell. Still a fair price on ebay. Im no expert nor a welder by trade but my welding attempts on my Mav passed the mot last year, Mot due gain next week, fingers crossed, tips on welding i just found interesting,
www.mig-welding.co.uk
good luck if you decide to buy,
 

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