Rob I think the name has thrown you. It's definitely a mig.
Mark, it's a 160amp mig so perfect for thin sheet metal like the datsun. As it's only a 160amp mig you'll be fine plugging it into a normal household socket. There should be a spool of wire inside and you'll definitely need gas and protective gear as arc burn is not good for you.
This link will probably get you started and give you the info you need.
https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/support
I'm sure you won't cheap out on anything Mark but get good PPE. I've found the difference in visibility and adjustability between a cheap helmet and a medium priced one is significant and it makes things a lot easier. I don't think you need to spend a lot - I have a Parweld helmet that was around 50 GBP and it's great for me so far.
Also, with thin gauge metal you'll want 0.6 wire so just check what's in the machine.
Re: Gas. Probably not the cheapest option but I have a Hobby account with BOC and I pick the bottles up myself from Slough as that's the closest to me for pickup. I use their Argoshield Light for MIG and I think their Y size bottle is approx. 60-70 GBP per year for rental and 40-50 for a refill. Somewhere in that region anyway but I don't pay too much attention to the costs . Obviously you'll need a regulator and I also use the argon flow meters from rtech (https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/argon-flow-meter/) although that's not at all essential.
Mark - you are more than welcome to come around to mine to have a go on some different gauge metals and get a feel for what my setup is like. You can have a look at my new TIG setup while you're here .
The main thing you'll want to assess with that welder is if its fully operational and working smoothly. Before I forked out and bought a brand new R-Tech Mig-180, I had a couple of older used ones (a Clarke and a Cebora/Snap-on) and both were useless to learn on as getting controllable power delivery and consistent performance was pretty much impossible. The R-Tech in comparison is a beautiful thing. Very forgiving and easy to get a feel for due to its consistency. I used 0.6mm wire when I was doing stuff like the arch cutting and welding and bulkhead modifications, but for the heavier duty welding of floors and chassis rail, etc., I switched to 0.8mm and didn't switch back. Technique and feel for the settings and gun movement becomes a factor, and you can get away with running higher settings than advised for the thickness of the material once you get a feel for when to "get out of there" so to speak.
Wow that’s some transformation, love the satin look. Nice!Just got my wheels back from being refurbished. Shame the weather is bad this weekend, I'd of liked to go to beaulieu this Sunday.
Very nice! Mine need a refurb too, but I was wondering about giving it a go myself.I got worried when they showed the in-progress, as they looked too shiny - wanted to stay satin look.View attachment 46177before
View attachment 46178in-progressView attachment 46179the finished product (may buy new centre caps)
Alright, I'll keep you in mind. They're pitted in areas and are plastic, so was hoping replacements were easy to find.Very nice! Mine need a refurb too, but I was wondering about giving it a go myself.
If you are thinking of selling your center caps then I would be very interested
Surely it's worth more than that?Insured mine again for the year … £102.
If the battery has been run flat a few times it kills them and it won't charge. Might not be the alternator?I moved the Z over to my mate’s mums as she has an empty double garage where it will stay until I’ve fixed the release bearing on the 944’s clutch … not a nice job to have to do. It got over there okay - seven or so miles, but was kangarooing a bit at about 1500-2000rpm. Then it refused to turn over once it was there, I think the battery is flat somehow, maybe the alternator wasn’t charging it on the way over?
Odd. A jump start and a multitester will confirm.It’s a new battery though …
Went down to Essex to go and collect a L28 and a Fairlady grill off Terry really nice day out Saturday great bloke