What welder?

[doobin]

Gasless mig is hit and miss. OP doesn't want gas.

 

Especially if you will be welding less than clean metal, an inverter arc welder is the way to go. These are good:

 

http://www.inverterfusion.co.uk/

[predator]

i got a

oil cooled oxford stick welder £50 from ebay but you would be best on a 16 amp supply but will weld all day 7 days a week etc for thick stuff

[testcricket01]

Ive recently bought a clarke 160 turbo im very impressed with it, you can use it with or without gas, build quality im pleased with also would reccomend it.

[burrell_]

The other thing mate is if u no how to mig weld stick with mig I use mig for most things

I can arc weld just find the mig better at finishing and better at fine work

What u welding mate

If u got cast iron then arc

[agg221]

I would go with an inverter - arc rods can go down to 1.6mm which is thin enough for the low end of steel structures. I don't get on very well with arc - much prefer TIG, but the inverter does both (although you need gas for TIG and it's not cheap as you need argon rather than CO2).

 

There is always ebay, but if you can get to Gravesend then there is a really useful place which deals in high quality secondhand welding kit:

 

Tecweld

Unit 12/Canal Ind Park/Canal Rd

Gravesend DA12 2PA

01474 326403

 

Alec

[Ds Tree services]

Mate you wanna look for a SIP or sealy 150-200 amp singel phase mig and use arg sheald gas with 0.8 or 1.0 wire you'll get a clean tight weld on 0.4 mild steel and get good penetration on bigger. Don't bother with an ark welder they are good but there's a time and place. Don't bother with that fluxed wire aether it just makes a mess and although it sound good (gasless) the wild isn't brill.

If your ever my way pop in and I'll do you a demo.

[predator]

i have a friend who really rates the inverter welders i,e welding outside in the wind with a stick not a problem . It was 6mm steel if its a quick repair need it back on the road etc" then its a stick welder as it will weld over most mucky surfaces but if its got to be all nicey etc then best welding inside with a mig much faster etc but the jobs got to be clean no rust/paint/wind/grease. I sometimes weld the cack out with a stick grind it back out then reweld as its still hot to get a better stronger weld 6013,s for mildsteel 7013,s for its got to be strong for high stress stuff but as you will know you can also get different mig wires too and i may be wrong its all low hydrogen thus a stronger harder weld

[Charlieh]

Matty I have had one of these for about 4 years ARC WELDER MMA WELDER 200 AMP INVERTOR DUAL VOLTAGE | eBay and done everything i need, the father in law who does a lot of welding on the farm has the same make but with the tig kit on it he makes trailers, repairs drawbars on agri kit and all sorts and he really rates his over his older oxford oil filled welders his is about 18months old and hes not had a problem welding with his yet

[predator]

Matty I have had one of these for about 4 years ARC WELDER MMA WELDER 200 AMP INVERTOR DUAL VOLTAGE | eBay and done everything i need, the father in law who does a lot of welding on the farm has the same make but with the tig kit on it he makes trailers, repairs drawbars on agri kit and all sorts and he really rates his over his older oxford oil filled welders his is about 18months old and hes not had a problem welding with his yet

 

 

 

i quite fancy a go with an inverter welder too" as i,ve never had the chance yet but kays welding near me have them and said the same as you there years ahead of the old stick or mma welders i just wish i had 3 phase here at home as there seems to be more choice with s/h welding machines etc as i,am currently using 32amp supply from my shower cable as i,am lucky the bathrooms at the backdoor so got a 32amp plug bridged into it hidden away in the antispace/cloakroom so at £50 for a s/h 180 amper that will weld allday will do me and if i was closer you would be more than welcome to use it anytime

[Peter]

If you don't want gas then arc is the only choice. The modern inverter units are really good, and will run from a 13 amp supply.

 

This looks good, I have the plasma cutter from this range. IFL i-TECH 160 Inverter Arc Welder - Weldequip