Yet another "what to buy" advice thread.
After looking for ages and failing to find a nightschool class locally I've decided to bite the bullet, buy a MIG welder and teach myself with resources such as this site, and good old hands on trial & error, I mean I'd end up buying one after such a course anyway! (Or so the justification to the wife goes :P)
First step was to look at what the local B&Q offered, then reject them out of hand and go read up what would *really* be worth buying/avoiding, so here I am.
I want to be able (eventually) to weld up a strong desk for one of my hobbies (Racing simulators) with 25mm/2mm box section steel, the design so far is here:
Yes, I may be overestimating my final ability, but aim high, hit lower and all that :P
My total (unmovable) budget is £250, I've been quoted steel costs of about £25-£30, want to leave a £25 or so budget for contingencies/consumables, leaving me £200 for a MIG. I'd prefer to buy new, as dealing with used equipment / possible equip failures at the same time as learning will probably be too much to take on. (I'm probably already out of my depth, but if you don't try etc.)
If I had not found this forum I'd probably have bought something stupid already, but I didn't (Thanks!) - That said, my original budget for a mig before finding this place was about £100 or so, so while I think my new budget is slightly more realistic, it's not going any higher without severe pain at home with the other half, one jump she'll handle, another jump in costs will be the death of the project, and possibly myself too :P
(Time's are hard, and I'm having to deal with a client/employer going bust owing me over 2 grand, self-employment sucks some times )
So far I've looked at the Clarke 100-105amp gas/gasless models, or the Sealey Mightymig 150amp, which seems to be available in some places for a shade under £200, but I'd welcome any and all advice offered,
Thanks in advance,
Alan.
(Edit: Changed pic to latest, not-so-overengineered version)
After looking for ages and failing to find a nightschool class locally I've decided to bite the bullet, buy a MIG welder and teach myself with resources such as this site, and good old hands on trial & error, I mean I'd end up buying one after such a course anyway! (Or so the justification to the wife goes :P)
First step was to look at what the local B&Q offered, then reject them out of hand and go read up what would *really* be worth buying/avoiding, so here I am.
I want to be able (eventually) to weld up a strong desk for one of my hobbies (Racing simulators) with 25mm/2mm box section steel, the design so far is here:
Yes, I may be overestimating my final ability, but aim high, hit lower and all that :P
My total (unmovable) budget is £250, I've been quoted steel costs of about £25-£30, want to leave a £25 or so budget for contingencies/consumables, leaving me £200 for a MIG. I'd prefer to buy new, as dealing with used equipment / possible equip failures at the same time as learning will probably be too much to take on. (I'm probably already out of my depth, but if you don't try etc.)
If I had not found this forum I'd probably have bought something stupid already, but I didn't (Thanks!) - That said, my original budget for a mig before finding this place was about £100 or so, so while I think my new budget is slightly more realistic, it's not going any higher without severe pain at home with the other half, one jump she'll handle, another jump in costs will be the death of the project, and possibly myself too :P
(Time's are hard, and I'm having to deal with a client/employer going bust owing me over 2 grand, self-employment sucks some times )
So far I've looked at the Clarke 100-105amp gas/gasless models, or the Sealey Mightymig 150amp, which seems to be available in some places for a shade under £200, but I'd welcome any and all advice offered,
Thanks in advance,
Alan.
(Edit: Changed pic to latest, not-so-overengineered version)
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