Welders

Lidl have a cheapy on offer from tomorrow
http://www.lidl.co.uk/uk/home.nsf/pages/c.o.20090514.p.Arc_Welder.ar2

Would this be any good to learn with [1] - or should I go for
something better?

[1] I have a very shite old bubble car that needs attention

 

No, arc is the worst for what your needs are if you intend welding
thin sheet steel.

Cheap MIG is what you want.

Paul.

 

Nope. An arc welder even in expert hands is not suited to welding the thin
sheet steel on your bubble car.

What you need is a simple MIG welder like one of these:
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/range/details/hobby-mig-welders/path/diy-mig-welders
Or check out a better quality used one on ebay.

JB

 

Thanks - are the gasless ones any good -
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/79434/Power-Tools/Welding/100-No-Gas-MIG-W
elder?cm_re=SEARCHPROMO-_-MIG%20WELDER-_-79434

Or should I go for something better?

 

Thanks for that - I'll pass on that one

 

Rather get a MIG, a stick welder is going to blow too many holes in rusty
old thin sheet.

 

A cheap one is ok to start with, and is fine for occasional/hobby use.
I think mine came from Screwfix and paid for itself with the first car
repair job.

A pro who was welding daily would get something better, as there's
lots of different types/wires/shield gases etc.

I have access to Oxy/Acetylene, Arc and Mig, and use the appropriate
type depending on what i'm welding.

Stick (arc) welding is only good for repairing gates or big steel
brackets, really.

Paul.

 

TIG is the best way to weld but it's not the easiest.

You can buy a TIG set reasonably cheaply but a decent set will cost a
lot of cash. I wouldn't waste my money on a cheap MIG set unless it
was just to pretend I could stick bits of metal together and the other
advantage with TIG is that with most sets you have the option to arc
weld whereas with MIG you don't get that.

 

At least with MIG for domestic use you can get small CO2 bottles
cheaply from motor factors - the Argon bottles cost slightly more and
don't last long. Full-size argon bottles have to be rented, which adds
to the costs if you don't use them often.

The cheapy regulators you get for the small bottles are crap too - I
haven't found a decent one that maintains a steady flow rate as it
cools. I might have been a bit lavish with the gas settings on TIG,
but I was going by the recommended flow rates.

 

Listen to this man. Every UKRMer has their specialist subject, and this
is definitely Andy's.

 

I've only TIG welded once, to repair a cracked Aluminium casting. Not
difficult when you get the hang of it, but it's a helluva step up from
what the OP was suggesting.

Well, don't we all pretend thusly ? I've had all sorts of bird shit
welding passed by the MOT tester.

Shame they don't allow brazing anymore on external structural panels,
it was a lot easier to braze a sill on without distorting it.

Paul.

 

Seconded.
Also sign up for a night school welding course at your local college, that
way you learn to do it right first time with fewer injuries.
You never know, the training might get you a job when you need one as well.

 

Would you want to use pure Co2 though?

Isn't pure Argon mainly for welding Ally or stainless?

You can get smaller (refillable) bottles rent free.

I've just backed my BOC PortaPak bottles (but kept my Saffire torch /
regs / cutter just in case) and about to do the same with my
Argoshield Universal and go rent free instead.

I *might* treat myself to a Flamekit on the rental money I'm not
playing. ;-)

T i m

 

I'm going to break your fingers one by one with a 2lb hammer.

Once I've broken them I'll remove the nails with a pair of rusty
pliers.

Once I've removed the nails I'll cauterise the wounds with my trusty
Zippo.

Sleep well.

 

Listen to this man. He's not kidding.

 

Naughty monotreme. Post editing is only clever when you don't get
caught.

 

Where do you get the rent free bottles from?

 

For shitty mild steel DIY work? Sure. Why not?

You need Argon to make a decent TIG weld, whatever the metal. Not
necessarily pure, though I do 'cos it's versatile and easier to get
hold of here.

Where? Seriously? 'Cos I couldn't find anyone round here when I was
looking a year or two back.

I bought TIG because I get both TIG and MMA in the one package (and,
to be fair, becuase I just wanted it), but in retrospect I might've
done better to buy separate arc & MIG units. TIG is slower than MIG
but quite fun.

 

I've never claimed to be clever.

 

Here for one:

http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/default.aspx

Because I'm not using the MIG that often a trip from Nth London to
Margate once every 10 years shouldn't be to much of an issue.

They do deliver but it's not cheap (Hazardous materials or summat).
£26.42 straight delivery, £35.75 both ways.

From memory it's a £40 refundable deposit and ~£21 / refill, 9.4L
bottle, '5-8 hrs welding'. I think they do two Co2/Argon mixes,
roughly equiv to Argoshield light and heavy. I'm probably going to get
one of each (then I'll have a spare of summat).

T i m