scotto75
Member
- Messages
- 161
- Location
- Bristol
Hi all,
I'm new to the forum and new to welding. I have read all the posts from other newbies about what gas choices to make, and have come to a couple of conclusions regarding my own requirements. I don't want my first post to be another repeat of the number of other first posts on this subject, but would really appreciate a second opinion.
I have a fairly decent condition Sureweld Monomig 101 in good working order. It currently uses disposable bottles through a very cheap and ineffective regulator. It's come with a bottle of Argon CO2 mix that I have used to test the welder, and everything seems to be working okay - apart from my poor technique!!
I am planning on doing some frame mods to a motorcycle I'm building, but in the meantime would like to spend a long time practicing my welding. I have a bulk load of off-cuts from a fabrication shop close to me. Mixed bits of about 1 - 3mm. I imagine spending a good couple of hours of practice welding in total before going anywhere near the frame, but don't want to waste a fortune on disposable bottles. I have always owned old VW's and have a '57 split screen but, thankfully, it has been completely restored and doesn't need any immediate repairs, and once the few frame mods have been made, I have no idea how long it'll be before I may need the welder again (apart from practicing more).
I have decided...
1 - If I'm going to have to spend £20 to buy a decent regulator for disposable bottles, I may as well spend the £40 to convert to refillable ones.
2 - I will only be welding lightweight sheet steel, so an argon mix is probably preferable over pure co2, and easier to create cleaner welds.
3 - As there may be long lapses in the use of my welder, it would be better to go the rent-free route, such as hobby weld or SWG, rather than the BOC Volkszone offer.
Does this sound good to you, or am I missing something somewhere? (Like using cheap pub CO2 to practice?)
I'm new to the forum and new to welding. I have read all the posts from other newbies about what gas choices to make, and have come to a couple of conclusions regarding my own requirements. I don't want my first post to be another repeat of the number of other first posts on this subject, but would really appreciate a second opinion.
I have a fairly decent condition Sureweld Monomig 101 in good working order. It currently uses disposable bottles through a very cheap and ineffective regulator. It's come with a bottle of Argon CO2 mix that I have used to test the welder, and everything seems to be working okay - apart from my poor technique!!
I am planning on doing some frame mods to a motorcycle I'm building, but in the meantime would like to spend a long time practicing my welding. I have a bulk load of off-cuts from a fabrication shop close to me. Mixed bits of about 1 - 3mm. I imagine spending a good couple of hours of practice welding in total before going anywhere near the frame, but don't want to waste a fortune on disposable bottles. I have always owned old VW's and have a '57 split screen but, thankfully, it has been completely restored and doesn't need any immediate repairs, and once the few frame mods have been made, I have no idea how long it'll be before I may need the welder again (apart from practicing more).
I have decided...
1 - If I'm going to have to spend £20 to buy a decent regulator for disposable bottles, I may as well spend the £40 to convert to refillable ones.
2 - I will only be welding lightweight sheet steel, so an argon mix is probably preferable over pure co2, and easier to create cleaner welds.
3 - As there may be long lapses in the use of my welder, it would be better to go the rent-free route, such as hobby weld or SWG, rather than the BOC Volkszone offer.
Does this sound good to you, or am I missing something somewhere? (Like using cheap pub CO2 to practice?)