welding info please??

[Matthew Storrs]

I realise there are other threads on this but not entirely the informatipon im after. I have a list as long as my arm of various bits of welding to do and plenty of projects I want to undertake, No welding experiance, but I don't want to rely on others to do my welding plus Iv got plenty of time and space to practise getting good at it so the question is.. Arc or Mig? I want to weld up to around 10mm comfortably but also be able to do Landy chassis etc. And any recommendations of a good welding machine. Im a firm believer in buy cheap, buy twice so I want as good as I can get for upto £600.

Thanks in advance

 

P.S I won't be doing really thin stuff like bodywork, mostly thicker stuff, Trailers, diggers etc

[WeeDee]

Outside or inside?

 

Clean or dirty metal?

[Tom D]

the key to good welding is in the operator, plenty practice with a good quality machine will pay dividends.

 

one tip is get an electronic "reactor" visor that you don't need to hold, being able to hold the torch with two hands will help.

[Matthew Storrs]

Most can be done inside (unless its an emergency repair) Unfortunatly it will tend to be rather dirty metal but I have plenty of grinders and stuff so could make it clean. Im guessing a high powered MIG?

[WeeDee]

Any MIG will benefit from clean metal and still-air environments. ARC welding is more tolerant of less than perfect conditions.

These factors might start your narrowing-down of suitable choices.

[treequip]

Outside or inside?

 

Clean or dirty metal?

 

If it's dirty clean it

[WeeDee]

If it's dirty clean it

 

Some do, some don't.

[treequip]

I would go for a mig set.

 

 

Mig is simple to learn and won’t take a lifetime to master

 

 

Budget for buying or renting a gas bottle

 

 

The top end of the single phase spectrum will weld up to 10mm and (second hand) will be within your budget

 

 

mig needs to be clean, clean, clean or you will get a bad weld (inclusions and holes in the weld).

[treequip]

Some do, some don't.

 

Those that dont should, those that dont get a bad weld

[p-hardy]

to answer the question bluntly - buy a mig. always the simly option

 

but you gotta take stuff into consideration 1 being is the metal is clean or dirty? if its dirty from rust, is there enough metal to get away grinding it away?

 

you also need to make sure the metal your welding is what you think it is. 3 most common will be mild steel, stainless steel and aluminium?

 

mig is perfect for steel, as for stainless steel and aluminium you would need a tig welder. you can weld stainless steel if you get wire/gas for your mig though.

 

people go spend hundreds on a welder thinking 'hey, im a hands on guy, ive seen it done before, il give this mig welding a go' only to realise they are trying to weld aluminium