Morris Minor Owners Club

I need to weld some thin steel.
I searched 'portapac' on a well known auction site, and what came up was a complete kit with disposable gas bottles.
I don't think the fuel gas is acetylene.
Has anyone got any experience of this set up? Are the nozzles any good...and can you achieve a molten pool in thin steel with it?
Thanks
John.

Interested. My 'personal body' now needs a pacemaker and using a mig welder is now a big no no. I thought gas welders were not suitable for bodywork but would be pleased that I could use one.

Years ago I had half-sized oxygen and acetylene bottles. Very useful for welding, cutting and releasing rusty nuts etc.
Just wondering if the oxy-gas kits on ebay are any good. I specifically need to weld some 1.2mm steel.

PeterCat wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 11:08 am Interested. My 'personal body' now needs a pacemaker and using a mig welder is now a big no no. I thought gas welders were not suitable for bodywork but would be pleased that I could use one.

Its what we used for years welding and brasing before mig was around. With the correct nozzle you can weld very thin material.

I think the disposable bottles advertised do not last long. The fuel gas only lasts for 20 minutes, presumably using the smallest nozzle.

Anyone used this kit?

It's MAPP gas/oxygen and not really suitable for welding steel as the gas composition makes them brittle. Soldering and brazing is fine.
Not used it myself but that's what a Google search throws up.

panky wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 9:58 pm It's MAPP gas/oxygen and not really suitable for welding steel as the gas composition makes them brittle. Soldering and brazing is fine.
Not used it myself but that's what a Google search throws up.

So its not a small oxy/acetylene like a portaweld?

panky wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 9:58 pm It's MAPP gas/oxygen and not really suitable for welding steel as the gas composition makes them brittle. Soldering and brazing is fine.
Not used it myself but that's what a Google search throws up.

Thanks panky, that's disdappointing....but you have saved me some money.

I don't think the Fire Brigade were keen to have people keeping oxy-acetylene gear in their garden sheds.

stuffedpike20 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2026 6:22 am

panky wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 9:58 pm It's MAPP gas/oxygen and not really suitable for welding steel as the gas composition makes them brittle. Soldering and brazing is fine.
Not used it myself but that's what a Google search throws up.

Thanks panky, that's disdappointing....but you have saved me some money.

I don't think the Fire Brigade were keen to have people keeping oxy-acetylene gear in their garden sheds.

As per Bill. MIG/TIG sets are cheap, these days. Some not as easy/useful/reliable as the more expensive sets available. No carburising materials or slag deposits. ‘Tin plate’ rods used to be (and maybe still are) available for thin metal with MMA welders that are able to operate at low amperage.

I would recommend R-Tech, but others are available. I would avoid cheap chinese sets - they usually work, but for how long?….. the inert shrouding gas is probably the most expensive consumable.

stuffedpike20 wrote: ↑Fri Mar 20, 2026 6:22 am

panky wrote: ↑Thu Mar 19, 2026 9:58 pm It's MAPP gas/oxygen and not really suitable for welding steel as the gas composition makes them brittle. Soldering and brazing is fine.
Not used it myself but that's what a Google search throws up.

Thanks panky, that's disdappointing....but you have saved me some money.

I don't think the Fire Brigade were keen to have people keeping oxy-acetylene gear in their garden sheds.

As per Bill. MIG/TIG sets are cheap, these days. Some not as easy/useful/reliable as the more expensive sets available. No carburising materials or slag deposits.

‘Tin plate’ rods used to be (and maybe still are) available for thin metals with MMA welders that are able to operate at low amperage.

I would recommend R-Tech, but others are available. I would avoid cheap chinese sets - they usually work, but for how long?….. the inert shrouding gas is probably the most expensive consumable.

I have got a couple of Mig welders.
I just fancied having an oxy-flame kit to play around with.