Good afternoon everybody! This is my first post and sorry for going over yet again the same old ground ( I seem to be mirroring Doobrey’s thread) but I have read as many previous threads as possible and now I’m in the old ‘paralysis of indecision’ state. Also sorry if this is a bit longwinded but I guess you won’t be able to give the best advice without knowing all the ins and outs....
What I want to do: I’m interested in building various wood fired bbq related projects, grills, griddles, firepit and tools type stuff, all for my own use and amusement. Materials will be 3-5mm plate, 25mm box section and angle etc.. I don’t expect any really heavy duty stuff.
Where I’ll be doing it: In my domestic garage with simple basic equipment, bench (wooden, not welding), vice, grinder, hacksaw etc.
Welding experience: None whatsoever! However I’m reasonably good with my hands and familiar with normal tools and things mechanical. I’m happy to learn by experience on old bits of scrap.
Now the sort of things I want to make I could buy initially for around £300-400. ............but where’s the fun in that?
My thoughts are ‘Ok it’s all fairly simple fabrication techniques, there are ample videos out there showing how it’s done why not save some money and give yourself something to do over the coming darker days by making it yourself? Let’s say the budget is £400 tops
My initial thoughts were to buy a Gas Mig system as it appears to be easiest for beginners, I would be working inside and No Gas/ Fluxcore welding just looked, well, messy. I don’t want something cheap from eBay, I’d rather have something more quality and ‘known’. I was thinking along the lines of the GYS Smartmig 162. Trouble is by the time you add in helmet, PPE, and particularly Gas, the budget has been blown significantly. So do I compromise and go for a cheaper welding machine (like what??) or maybe try another approach and get a modern Stick Welder? It seems I could get the Parweld XTS 162 plus all the gear for less than £240 (and a TIG option if I really get carried away!) Bearing in mind the rustic nature of the stuff I’m thinking of making is a posh Mig outfit really necessary? I won’t be doing any car stuff, definitely no body work, maybe a bit of stuff for my boat in the future but the TIG outfit would be good for Stainless.
As a total beginner I’m aware that I might be missing an obvious point but can anybody tell me what is wrong with my (almost made) decision to now go down the Stick route?! All comments welcome!
What I want to do: I’m interested in building various wood fired bbq related projects, grills, griddles, firepit and tools type stuff, all for my own use and amusement. Materials will be 3-5mm plate, 25mm box section and angle etc.. I don’t expect any really heavy duty stuff.
Where I’ll be doing it: In my domestic garage with simple basic equipment, bench (wooden, not welding), vice, grinder, hacksaw etc.
Welding experience: None whatsoever! However I’m reasonably good with my hands and familiar with normal tools and things mechanical. I’m happy to learn by experience on old bits of scrap.
Now the sort of things I want to make I could buy initially for around £300-400. ............but where’s the fun in that?
My thoughts are ‘Ok it’s all fairly simple fabrication techniques, there are ample videos out there showing how it’s done why not save some money and give yourself something to do over the coming darker days by making it yourself? Let’s say the budget is £400 tops
My initial thoughts were to buy a Gas Mig system as it appears to be easiest for beginners, I would be working inside and No Gas/ Fluxcore welding just looked, well, messy. I don’t want something cheap from eBay, I’d rather have something more quality and ‘known’. I was thinking along the lines of the GYS Smartmig 162. Trouble is by the time you add in helmet, PPE, and particularly Gas, the budget has been blown significantly. So do I compromise and go for a cheaper welding machine (like what??) or maybe try another approach and get a modern Stick Welder? It seems I could get the Parweld XTS 162 plus all the gear for less than £240 (and a TIG option if I really get carried away!) Bearing in mind the rustic nature of the stuff I’m thinking of making is a posh Mig outfit really necessary? I won’t be doing any car stuff, definitely no body work, maybe a bit of stuff for my boat in the future but the TIG outfit would be good for Stainless.
As a total beginner I’m aware that I might be missing an obvious point but can anybody tell me what is wrong with my (almost made) decision to now go down the Stick route?! All comments welcome!