Joshua1993 Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Good evening Ladies and Gents, I am looking for some advice on welding. It's not something I've done before but something I would like to learn. I understand it's something which takes time and practice but I have plenty of time on my hands at the moment. After a little research I believe I would like to buy a mig welder, preferably something half decent but secondhand to save on costs. If you could give any advice it would be much appreciated. Also may I ask if it is going to be costly? I'm not after anything fancy. Just something half decent which will be used occasionally for small home-projects. Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subsonicnat Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Bought cheap welders before,do not last 5 mins,,Go as high as you can on price. Gas is best as you do not get slag,gasless ones you will get slag... Try for second hand one,,you are in no hurry,so wait for decent one,,if you can get it at the right price,,one with TIMER,,You will not regret it,,almost does the welding for you.. Lovely timed welds are a treat to look at and look very proffesional.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stormhound Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Agree about not buying a cheapie. I'd recommend one of the R-Tech range. Very good bits of kit at not too much money. Very good company to deal with as well. I've got the 180amp inverter set and it's very easy to use and gives very good results. It will work with gas or gasless with the correct wire and polarity change. Can also be used as an MMA or TIG set with right handset. I'm a fairly experienced DIY welder but this set certainly isn't beyond the scope of a novice either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnphilip Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Get an auto darkning mask, they will help you loads, i always struggle to find were to start the weld. I now use an air fed one as i wear glasses and the used to steam up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I've got a cebora mig welder, it does everything I need, I believe it's the same as a snap on. It seems a good diy machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkfanz Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 i bought an oil cooled stick welder 40 years ago by pickhill engineeers,only 110 amp but the amount of work its done in them years is incredible,still going strong.but do have a little mig as wll these days,,dont buy cheap,get the best you can afford.pays in the long run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I've got a cebora mig welder, it does everything I need, I believe it's the same as a snap on. It seems a good diy machine. hello, very good machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex C Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Every apprentice who went through the training school where I worked, had to become proficient at Stick welding before being allowed to go anywhere near a Mig set. Much cheaper to buy, wont keep running out of gas. Only down side it they struggle to do light gauge stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Every apprentice who went through the training school where I worked, had to become proficient at Stick welding before being allowed to go anywhere near a Mig set. Much cheaper to buy, wont keep running out of gas. Only down side it they struggle to do light gauge stuff. hello, long before that most apprentices including my self were taught only arc welding (large oil cooled) as the mig system was not available until around the 1970s early 1980s, as big as a fridge, welding crane chassis/ jibs/large compressor beds, now and to much advantage the handy MMA and small mig welders are good tools, my advice to joshua is buy a small digital arc welder to start, up to 100/120 amp, rods to suite that amps get a load of clean scrap metal off cuts sheet and plate to 5mm from local engineers and practice practice, and decent auto mask as john mentioned, BUT BEFORE YOU START RESEARCH WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU GET ARC EYE, eg if you get a flash without a mask it is very painfull and can damadge eyes so please be very carefull. good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medic1281 Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 hello, very good machine That's nice to know, thanks. I think it's a 130 pocket turbo or something like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 That's nice to know, thanks. I think it's a 130 pocket turbo or something like that. you welcome i had one my self back a few years well quite a few got years of service sold it a got a electra beckam a quality make, now just have a cheapish 160 MMA, and so diddy and light, magic!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bostonmick Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 going back a few years now the local tech college used to do a ten week one evening a week course on basic welding if they still run these it would be well worth a few pounds doing it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gordon R Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 I might be the odd one out, but I would get a second-hand stick welder. They are as cheap as chips. Unless you are doing very thin metal, they are fine. I have a large stick welder and a MIG, so have some experience. If I don't weld for a few weeks, my welds are very untidy, but if I weld regularly, I can be quite neat. Don't dismiss no-gas MIGs. I have owned gas and no-gas and found no-gas better to run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scotslad Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Might be worth saying wot type of stuff ur expecting to weld? Thicknesses how clean (painted or rusty) the metal is etc. Depending wot ur wantig to build might influence wot type of welder suits u best. Generally indoor, thin clean metal is Mig territory while thicker dirtier/rustier or outside ur best with a stick/arc I've had an old Clarke arc welder must off had it 20 odd years now never missed a beat, great tool, bought a clarke mig (gasless) welder but must admit i've never got the hang of it and usually prefer the arc. Both were not dear welders and have done the job fine so far Have recently just bought an inverter arc welder (about 170 quid) as my genny couldnae power my old arc welder, it absolutley brilliant and far easier to weld with than the old stick welders, althou i have been told its far more fragile too, so doubtful if it will still be going in 20 yrs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 going back a few years now the local tech college used to do a ten week one evening a week course on basic welding if they still run these it would be well worth a few pounds doing it. PLUS 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 hello, it is just a thought for those who have and use a MIG on PW and use CO2 as your gas like we do at the farm, with a PUB bottle get your self an inline heater if you do not already use, ours is putt!!!!and i have been trying to find a decent one as replacement, if anyone knows a supplier ?? would be appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSpredder Posted September 11, 2016 Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Dont buy anything until you have had a good look at this site: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ Be sure to read the sections on "Buying a welder" and the forum members' comments on different models, and also look at the "Tutorials" section. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshua1993 Posted September 11, 2016 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2016 Thank you everyone for all your comments. I've read all of them and that's a lot of useful information you've given me, much more than I expected! That's given me a lot to think about now on how I wish to proceed, I'll certainly take this info onboard Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert 888 Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 What thickness steel are you welding,is the steel going to be new stuff or rusty. Whatever you buy,get someone to set it up for you, who knows what they are doing. I have a cheap 130amp gas mig for home ideal for cars and trailers,stick (arc) at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davyo Posted September 12, 2016 Report Share Posted September 12, 2016 Get an auto darkning mask, they will help you loads, i always struggle to find were to start the weld. I now use an air fed one as i wear glasses and the used to steam up. Yep,that 1st flash knacks,up all night with what felt like powdered glass in my eyes.(mig) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegia Posted September 13, 2016 Report Share Posted September 13, 2016 sometimes Machine Mart do their (equivalent to) VAT free promotions, it might be worth waiting until one of these to get your MIG machine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Heron Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Go to night school for a few weeks you need to learn mma and tig welding for your home projects the last person to use gas was Noah building his arc gas is only used for cutting scrap now all accurate cutting is done by laser or plasma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldypigeonpopper Posted September 15, 2016 Report Share Posted September 15, 2016 Good evening Ladies and Gents, I am looking for some advice on welding. It's not something I've done before but something I would like to learn. I understand it's something which takes time and practice but I have plenty of time on my hands at the moment. After a little research I believe I would like to buy a mig welder, preferably something half decent but secondhand to save on costs. If you could give any advice it would be much appreciated. Also may I ask if it is going to be costly? I'm not after anything fancy. Just something half decent which will be used occasionally for small home-projects. Thanks in advance. hello joshua, let us know what you get ? and keep us posted on your new hobby. cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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