Hello also from NZ.
I have a BOC 180p and has been great for panel steel so far, all the way down to 30amps and very easy to use. Good for bigger stuff if you ever get inclined too. I got mine for $700NZD, but I'm not sure if they are still available or not. They don't have some of the fancier...
Assuming you are going to TIG it, then yes there will be problems. Needs to be exceptionally clean. The casting alloys can be quite porous, and hold oil annoyingly well. Sometimes you have to heat the crack up with no filler many times to get all the oil out.
You could probably do some maths and work out some approximate loads, but would be educated guesswork at best. Taking static loading from your current trailer sounds like you suggested sounds like a good starting point, then just compare it to max stress in the material and you'll get some good...
Apologies for being unclear.
Helmet was not darkening, constant shade 4 (or whatever the "off" state is), regardless of any welding or light applied to it.
Battery was then replaced.
Helmet is now always shade 12 when the new battery is in, even in dim light, none of the dials are doing...
Just before you ask, it is an auto-darkening one :p
Tecmen, ADF 7305. Hadn't been used in a couple of months, found to not be dimming at all, so I replaced the battery. Now it's dark all the time and won't go back to normal. Any ideas? What kills these things? I had a look at the circuit board...
Well, I own two hondas and nothing else so didn't feel inclined to generalise. However it seems like they owned stock in fastener companies with the amount of phillips head screw that get chewed up on these things.
Looking good. Make sure you clean the metal thoroughly first and maybe turn your gas up a little, there shouldn't be any of that brown soot you are seeing there.