Which Welder

[Lazurus]

Thinking of getting a welder for simple DIY use and general workshop stuff. Used to do a bit with a stick welder a few years back but would like to try a gasless MIG, any recommendations, advice, and pointers. Will be generally inside work only and fairly light metals.

[openspaceman]

1 minute ago, Lazurus said:

Thinking of getting a welder for simple DIY use and general workshop stuff. Used to do a bit with a stick welder a few years back but would like to try a gasless MIG, any recommendations, advice, and pointers. Will be generally inside work only and fairly light metals.

If breeze isn't an issue co2argon is better

[Ratman]

Try a Jasic, proper detachable euro torch, so easy maintenance / swaps of liners and torches etc. Think they come with 5 yr guarantee too if i remember rightly. Will post a link shortly.

[jmac]

I found the gasless migs hard to weld thin steel, just kept blowing holes in the metal! So if you plan to weld car bodywork or similar I would get a gas mig.

[Ratman]

https://www.jasic.co.uk/

[openspaceman]

50 minutes ago, jmac said:

I found the gasless migs hard to weld thin steel, just kept blowing holes in the metal! So if you plan to weld car bodywork or similar I would get a gas mig.

Yes if breeze isn't an issue an argon co2 mix in an owned bottle works better. I have bought a small Argon bottle to try a bit of TIG. £25 deposit and the same again for a fill. No bottle rental

[Dbikeguy]

Avoid gas less like the plague! horrible to weld with even worse to learn on.
get a proper mig and if it’s a none critical weld use pub gas co2. cheap i used to pay £5 for a waist height bottle

[Husqvarna King]

I have a 180 amp stick welder that can be turned up higher with industrial electrical supply. It wasn't that expensive, £180 I think. I bought a gasless mig hoping it would make welding thin stuff easier but it's horrible. I normally just stick weld everything now. The gasless wire is expensive as it has a built in flux. Also it blows just as many holes in thin metal as an arc welder so really no advantage

Edited November 28, 2018 by Husqvarna King

[Coletti]

Gas less is okay but spits and is messy. As has already been said, if a breeze isn't an issue then get a proper mig welder. If you look around you can get inverter mig welder that will also do arc and scratch start tig too which is always a bonus. One I keep hearing about and haven't seen a bad review of is the Rtech mig welder so worth a look there. Some good vids of it in YouTube also

 

 

[Lazurus]

20 hours ago, Ratman said:

https://www.jasic.co.uk/

Nice very nice, but a lot for a DIY investment.