Welder

happy days

happy days

Active Member
I know I will have to do some welding at some point. Although I'm a plumber I have never done welding, so as I'm only starting out
1) what would be a good machine to start with and a rough price
2) what did you guys practice on ( surely not your pride and joy )
3) are their any good books on the basics of welding

Cheers. Mick
 
Hi Mick

I can't recommend a welder as I used one that was given to me. Get some 1mm sheet steel to practice laying beads and joining metal. There's a very good website here which has video demonstrations and guides.

Do the research first and then have a go. It's good fun when you get the hang of it.

Dave
 
The best cheaper welders seem to be clarke welders.

Some people on here have used gasless but i didnt get on with that.

The trick with car welding is to have a welder that can do low currents - as higher currents will just blow holes in thin car bodywork. From my experience i;d also suggest that you;re best buying new - there are parts on welders that wear out, and unless you're an expert you're guessing how to fix things.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ was the site i found most helpful!

Also if you spot something you're thinking of buying you could post it here for opinion?

Machine mart must be about due a VAT free day soon????

Rich
 
Looks like I will have to get hold of a welder, as said previously Machinemart is worth a look, is tis one any good, do not want to get something not fit for the job cheers for any help www.machinemart.co.uk product code 010110135
 
THat's a nice setup - much better than the one i've fixed up PAE with...

DOnt forget to look for an auto helpmet (They're cheapest on ebay) and gloves...

Rich
 
Hi again, still looking at welders and now found this one, www.srewfixdirect.com product no 30030 which would be the best buy for me, a complete novice with welding. The one at machine mart (see post above) is dearer but comes with extras but more importantly (i think) is its range is 30 - 130 amps. The one from screwfix is cheaper but its range is 60 - 140 amps.Am i more likely to blow holes in the metal with the cheaper machine as its lowest setting is 60A compared to 30A.
I am after the easiest machine for a novice, but obviously price does come into it, but it also has to be able to do the job cheers for the advice so far and hopefully this should get me started. Mick
 
the screwfix machine is pretty useless unfortunately.

machine mart do a clarke 90en and 105en. these are better tham the screwfix one...

rich
 
My welder turned up today, hope it is up for the job
DSCF0083.jpg

Now to have a go.......... cant be to difficult
ahhhhhh my first attempt it is not easy at all..............yet
DSCF0084.jpg

So 3 questions 1) I have 4 power settings, are these used depending on the thickness of the metal being welded. 2) Cant find any mention of the dial marked 0-10, what is it for. 3) I am using mild steel wire with CO2 gas I think that is correct, is it

oh one more thing, if you have stopped laughing at my firs attempt, is their anything obvious that I have done wrong by looking at the pic. Listen all I am a grown man I can handle the criticism. Be honest as you know it makes sense cheers for the advice........... and criticism i think :LOL:
 
So 3 questions 1) I have 4 power settings, are these used depending on the thickness of the metal being welded. 2) Cant find any mention of the dial marked 0-10, what is it for. 3) I am using mild steel wire with CO2 gas I think that is correct, is it

oh one more thing, if you have stopped laughing at my firs attempt, is their anything obvious that I have done wrong by looking at the pic. Listen all I am a grown man I can handle the criticism. Be honest as you know it makes sense cheers for the advice........... and criticism i think :LOL:
Click to expand...

Hi,

Nice work - it's all about practice!

1. correct - if you look on the http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/calculator.htm site it has a calculator for which settings are best.

2. Wire speed - check the video on http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/wire-speed.htm for help with this.

3. CO2 is OK - CO2 argon mix is alledgedly better, but my welding isnt really good enough to tell the difference... You can get big bottles of CO2(pub gas) for cheapness or rent free bottles of argon/co2 mix. Wish i'd done this early on but no point for me now!

As to criticism, just keep practising and watch the vids and read the tutorials carefully. Holes means too much penetration or you're moving it too slowly, lumps on top where it's not gone through the opposite!

Rich.
 
The centre line of weld looks as if the gas is off, too low or getting blown away. Lowest one has power set too high. Top looks most promising, perhaps needs the torch moving a little quicker.
 
I think, lowest run is current too high, middle looks to be a mixture of no/too little gas and too slow feed on the wire, top one is definitely much better, feed is still a bit slow and current high, but definitely heading in the right direction. :D
I have always tried to explain the technique as "colouring in" the weld area in very small overlapping circles or with a side to side weave, dependent on material thickness. You don't want to be scribbling the weld into place, just to be gently "shading it in" with light torch action and mostly in the wrist. If you can, rest your elbow on something with the feed and cable bundle running over your arm for support of the weight and then start colouring in....

I would also invest in a bunch of miscellaneous clamps and vise grips to help you. There are vise grips with wide duck bills and long arms etc that can be used in some areas, and also get some welding magnets to hold patches in the cut outs for tacking in. Also, get some thick paper for cutting out to determine the shape of the holes you are filling to transfer to the metal for final cutting. I found it easier to accurately shape a piece of card first then to cut the metal to that shape. An electric or pneumatic nibbler is great for rounded cuts and a good quality set of "aviation snips" for general cutting. The snips come in 3's normally, Left, Right and Straight cutting, makes life a bit easier but not essential.

It can be an addictive pastime, this tool gathering lark......
 
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