Modern Vespa

Hi ,any welders who can recommend a mig welder for working on scooter bodywork.. there's loads of decent 2nd hand options , gas or gasless.
I know gas is better, just not sure on ampage needed.
Will only be used for scooters not welding bridges lol

UK, right? (asking because of 110/230v)

Check https://www.stahlwerk-schweissgeraete.de/?lang=eng

cheap + 7 years warranty

nope

nope

Thanks guys for info..really looking for uk recommendations and 2nd hand machines as on a budget

Hi.. from UK Penzance , I picked up one of these secondhand ..works great
CLARKE MIG151EN 150 AMP TURBO NO GAS/GAS MIG WELDER
Cheers
Rich

P.s. !
I use the welder with gas

You definately want a MIG welder with gas. It doesn't need to be super big or powerful. I'd just look for a good quality make in good condition. I'm in USA, and just have a small 110VAC Lincoln welder that will do anything I need it to.

Thanks guys..
Rich team I've been looking at that model ,and the sealey model of same ampage, but wasnt sure if too powerful.
I normally just use my m8s one but have no way to get the scooter to him(lost license)
Dougw yes just for thin metal so nothing to powerful

It is capable of a lot more than 1mm sheet , I managed fine by doing a series of tacks and eventually joining them up .. welding I did was down behind the front wheel around the seam..practiced first on thin Imm sheet

Found this locally ish for £120 ,will need a gas bottle and regulator

https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/kennedy-emw-120.22632/
Welding forum link... They think it's a bit to beefy for 1mm..mine 1.6

Meant **min 1.6 *

Thanks richtea..yeah looks tad too powerful lol..Will keep looking

I'll admit, I'm a snob when it comes to welders. I've owned a cheap welder and never will again. I'll only buy a Miller welder after owning a couple of them.

https://www.millerwelds.com

Same. That said, it's unclear how much of a presence Miller has in the UK -- there are certainly some, but I don't know if they are ubiquitous like they are in the US.

Welding machines are like cars. Sometimes you get a lemon. This Lincoln has made me a lot of money over the years and is my go to for body work running .025. Runs smooth and never let me down. My Miller machine is ugly but also has been a dream over the years and I am the 3rd owner. It will blow my electrical panel off the wall before it reaches its potential.🤣😂

nope

skids are you making fun of my massive dinosaur square wave machine?!🤣😂 I actually traded work for it cause I'm poor. Welds aluminum nice!

In all seriousness, looks like Derek is looking for something inexpensive that he can repair his scoot with possibly in his bedroom. ( Derek, get some ventilation going and have a good fire extinguisher handy ). Looks like a 110 welder will do the job for him. Just a matter of finding one that isn't a turd. My 2 cents worth.

nope

I turn a blind eye to it and hope my wife doesn't catch on. She'll be on her computer all day but if I turn on a light she's all over me!😁

I have a Lincoln SW200 for TIG and stick, 120/240. You pretty much need 240 for AL but it does a great job and its very good on SS.
If you're going to weld in your bedroom you will need TIG - no sparks.

Thanks for all the replies, but looks like I won't be getting one.
I've added up all the costs of doing this scooter and finances i just ain't got.

There are many great welders available now for cheap. If you're in UK check Amazon.
For scooter bodywork you're better off with small high tech welder. 160 Amp is plenty, even for constant bodywork welding. Nearly any welder will be overkill for that thin metal. And I'll recommend TIG over MIG. Don't even think about gasless.
New small TIG welders are cheap. Search for one foot pedals or variable triggers for on-the-fly Amp control, higher frequency, steps, lift and weld, rising and falling on/off, etc that all make it easier to get constant good weld.
Edit. 10 liter gas bottle at 200 bar lasts about 3 hours of continuous welding.

nope

Had the scooter for 8 months now and never even rode it.
I would love to have finished it but reality hit home.
I've spent over £800 on parts and just can't afford to get it finished any time soon, and I would like my bedroom back lol

My Millermatic went belly up and the local Miller repair guy was back up for four months.

Coincidentally just a week or two later the YouTube channel Project Farm did a comparison test of inverter welders.

One of them, Yeswelder was deemed to be of good quality without breaking the bank.

I found a new, open box one on eBay for $250 including shipping. The Miller guy wanted almost that much to diagnose mine.

It comes set up for mig and stick and it will weld aluminum with a Teflon liner and argon.

It will also TIG with an accessory kit.

I couldn't be more satisfied but I guess time will tell if it lasts over the long term.

Dek, If you can get hold of a SIP Migmate 100 secondhand go for it, been using one for years on car and scooter bodies and the 130 for heavier jobs, I was lucky I was taught by a relative whos a fabrication welder.

My advice to you is once you have a welder go to a scrappers and get a cheap body panel cut a section out and re weld it in do this exercise a few times, plus surface welds (laying a weld) Mig welding only likes clean metal any rust, paint, etc it will spit and fart and your weld will look like Pidgeon shit.

Go on YouTube plenty of tutorials to watch, you need to learn about Ampage, angle, wire thickness, gas pressure and feed speed.

You will also need a grindette, welding gloves, screen and a fire extinguisher.
Hope this helps.

Buggs😉👍

Dek, just looked on eBay, there's a couple on, 105 turbo and a 130. after you have finished the weld project you will have no problem selling a SIP welder on much sought after little welder.

P.s If you're thinking of welding in a bedroom don't but if this is the only option open the windows put a fire blanket on the floor under the weld site and don't forget the fire extinguisher, Co2 type.