What welder?

NJV6 · Post by **NJV6** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:26 pm

I'm getting inspired by all the build threads and am considering a welder for simple mods. I've never tried but they tell me practice practice practice.

Bearing in mind a budget - what sort of welder would suit me? I'm thinking arc, but want suggestions and also Why's.

Mostly the uses will be mild steel - things like suspension fab work, bull bar & general farm repairs.

I'm sure others will look at this so lets keep it useful.

MAHINDRACJ4A · Post by **MAHINDRACJ4A** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:51 pm

we brought a arc when i wanted to first learn

now i think back i should have of brought a mig instead of the arc
im on the look out for a mig now

NJV6 · Post by **NJV6** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 8:56 pm

MAHINDRACJ4A wrote:
now i think back i should have of brought a mig instead of the arc

Yes, but Why?

MAHINDRACJ4A · Post by **MAHINDRACJ4A** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 9:15 pm

The Web wrote:
Arc - easiest, cheapest. Great for all around steel welding. Works well on thicker metal as well.

MiG - (metal inert gas) uses an automatic wire feed into the weld and uses a flux core or gas shielding. Its a great all around form of welding and works great for thin gauge steel and sheet metal, and depending on the amperage/size can do some heavy gauge applications as well.

Tig - (Tungsten Inert Gas) as far as I know it works great on sheet metal and is less likely to overheat and warp the metal. This method is the hardest to learn but can lay down the best welds at the hands of a well practiced welder.

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE!

If you're looking for an all around welder though I'd probably suggest getting a decent MIG welder. (NOT a cheap 200-300 dollar warehouse unit!!) They're very versatile and are easier to use than TIG and the wire feed is much more convenient than using welding rods and works better on sheet metal than ARC.

iv been told that to get an gas mig not a gasless as the gasless produce more splatter

loppee · Post by **loppee** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 10:13 pm

Get a mig welder if you have not welded before as it is ezyer to learn than arc,but make sure you buy one that is around 220 amps. my mig at work is 600 amps.

rangimotors · Post by **rangimotors** » Wed Sep 26, 2007 9:39 am

Our one at home can use gas but if you haven't got any gas you can put the gassles wire in it, I can only assume that its the same with all of them. Its a bit ruff without the gas but good to have some gassless wire if someones to lazy or cheap to fill up the bottle, im below novce with weilding anyway so if im doing anything important i only tack it and get a pro do finish the job (i really must learn at some stage)