On Fri, 05 Dec 2003 01:36:00 +0000, Mark S.
wrote:

Can anyone rec. a decent supplier for a mig welder and the bits and
bobs, wire, helmet etc.

Commercial welding shop. You can get nice Murexs for £500 (if you
catch a regular sale) and they're as cheap for wire and gas as
anywhere else. For less money, Partco do the Cebora range that are
good for £300-ish. Anything below that I'd be buying S/H for £50 and
saving up for a real machine. Please don't buy an SIP at any level !

Hats seem to get better the _less_ you pay. Actually the hats (and
headbands) turn rubbish quickly, but the lens systems are better. Get
a battery one (they last for ages and can be stored in dark sheds)
rather than solar. A standard size mounting is also useful, because
you can swap it around if you break the hat, and the consumable cover
lenses are easy to find. Adjustability of the settings isnt vital,
but it is nice. Guess who's the schmuck with a £200 Niederman that's
rubbish to use and has to have its cover lenses shipped from
Switzerland...

I wouldn't buy anything more than magnet clamps from Machine Mart.

Get a halogen floodlight and a 1/4" steel benchtop too.

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