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Tobe
Senior Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 102
Location: Pembrokeshire
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 Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject: What Welder??? |
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Hey Guys,
So im sick of coming across those odd jobs where a welder would make life soooo much easier, or so i think?
I have never welded and have been meaning to get one for a while and try to teach myself (possible???), just by pottering about with it etc. anyways have been looking around and MIG keeps popping up, gas/no gas, different amp etc, but to be honest i have not a clue! if you read a sale statement they are all the best but could really do with some advice.
I do fair bit with off road bikes, so with practice would like to weld steel and aluminium! is this poss with one welder? i really have not a clue.
Screwfix have one at the mo for £100 half price??????????
Any thoughts would be great,
Cheers
Tobe
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Hitch
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 2429
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2008 10:17 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Tobe, the 'clarke' ones seem to be popular with DIY welders.
Id advise to go for a version thats can run with gas (gas is far superior)
Something around the 130amp mark will weld 3mm thick maybe a bit more depending on how you prepare the metal.
A lot of it will also come down to your budget, as most thing normally do.
You can weld ally with a basic mig to a fashion, but dont expect miracles on a cheap machine. You normally need to change the torch liner and gas aswell.
Have a look at this site Tobe-
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/
Do a search, your question has been asked many times there. 
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chris_h
Junior Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: West Midlands
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 6:53 am Post subject: |
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Self taught welding can be done with a lot of patience and practice, as I did.
Go for the gas welder as opposed to gasless, the wire is much cheaper and the welds look better and depending on what you want to weld will determine the size of the machine. I have a 200 amp but I use it for welding Land Rover chassis.
You can weld ally with a change of wire and gas. |
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Stoday
Electricity economics consultant
Joined: 20 Jan 2006
Posts: 3080
Location: Sitting on the Bog
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:31 am Post subject: |
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I was taught welding on a course at the Abingdon welding institute. So I've used:
Oxy-acetylene;
Arc;
Metal Inert Gas;
Tungsten Inert Gas.
Oxy-acetylene is by far the hardest, arc best for 5mm of thicker steel. MIG (with gas) is the easiest. TIG just for special stuff like stainless & aluminium for pros only.
Any fool can lay a track. The skill is in getting optimum penetration so that the molten pool is almost the depth of the metal.
Good luck! |
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Tobe
Senior Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 102
Location: Pembrokeshire
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject: |
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cheers guys,
really appreciate your thoughts! Ill go gor a gas mig and maybe upgrade with the alu bits when im more confident with steel.
When it says it will weld steel up to 5mm thick, is that refering to the coil of wire?
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thescruff
Senior Member
Joined: 10 Mar 2008
Posts: 4657
Location: Bath
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 4:37 pm Post subject: |
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No, thats the thickness of the metal you're welding
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Hitch
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 2429
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 5:03 pm Post subject: |
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The 'coil' or reel of welding wire comes in a few sizes and weights.
For steel in a hobby welder, id be inclined to go for 0.6mm wire (diameter of wire)
They are normally sold in a few reel sizes, they are 0.7kg, 5kg, and 15kg
The specs should tell you what the max wire size and reel size is.
The maximum thicknesses they give in the specs arnt strictly true in some cases.
Something like a good 200amp can weld 20mm if you do it right, where as the specs say 6mm or so.
With a gas and wire change, you would also be able to wels stainless steel to an extent.
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iceni
Member
Joined: 01 Aug 2007
Posts: 57
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 7:57 pm Post subject: |
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I bought a 110 or 130 amp Mig with gas about 12 years ago, had a hole in the floor and in the exhaust of the car. Estimated cost was the same as a welder. So bought one and did it myself.
It's still going strong although only used now and again for odd jobs.
Getting someone who knows what they are doing to show you the ropes would be a big help.
I think you need TIG welder for aluminium. |
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Tobe
Senior Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 102
Location: Pembrokeshire
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 8:18 pm Post subject: |
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i no couple of peeps that can weld an they will prob show me some basics, but ya whats its like depending on people for practice, so ideally need to get one!
Thought the best way to learn was to try to make something, welding to bits togeher all the time wont get me anywhere?
All been very helpful so thanks very much!
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Hitch
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 2429
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 11:03 pm Post subject: |
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To learn, invest in some clean metal, and practice running smooth beads.
When youve done that, practice a few simple joints...then progress onto making something.
Dont be tempted to use an old washing machine lid of similar, its a waste of time, and makes it harder to learn imo.
Theres a tutorial section on the site i posted a link to earlier, many people have self taught with reasonable sucess from that.
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chris_h
Junior Member
Joined: 03 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: West Midlands
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| Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:23 am Post subject: |
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| iceni wrote: |
I think you need TIG welder for aluminium. |
TIG is for stainless steel, Aluminium welding with MIG + Ally wire and argon gas. |
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Tobe
Senior Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 102
Location: Pembrokeshire
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| Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 12:51 pm Post subject: |
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cheked that link hitch and its really good! great advice!!
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Hitch
Senior Member
Joined: 16 Jan 2006
Posts: 2429
Location: Somerset
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| Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:31 pm Post subject: |
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You can do stainless, ally or mild steel with both MIG and TIG.
Although you need a TIG capable of AC for ally. i wont go into it unless you really want to know 
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Tobe
Senior Member
Joined: 22 Jun 2007
Posts: 102
Location: Pembrokeshire
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| Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 5:35 pm Post subject: |
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no no, one step at a time!
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