Sam(GTD)
Member
- Messages
- 57
Hello there, new to this forum and i must say it looks like a wealth of information.
I'm not new to welding but i'd certainly still consider myself very much an amatuer, in the past i have used a couple of mig welders for odd jobs. (An old SIP 150 and one of those SIP handymate gasless).
This was basically odd jobs on car sills, and a few little projects etc.
I really don't like the gasless welder, the wire feed is awful.
My brother introduced me to welding (he was welding steel boat hulls and custom vehicles at the time)
Basically i am involved in an upcoming custom vehicle (road) project and i need to do some very neat fabrication of both automotive grade aluminium (sheet and tube = bodywork and chassis typically in the region of 1-4mm but will need to do some thicker components no doubt) and i can't divulge too much about the project but it is highly likely i will be welding high performance stainless too.
Basically think light weight vehicle frame fabrication, typical work you'd find on a sports bike or small kit car frame and some panel work. (such as welding tabs onto sheet)
I understand that this element of the project will be very challenging having only done some mig fabrication before but thankfully i am a very quick learner and intend to practice, practice practice (i have a variety of side projects and a current, lower grade vehicle project)
I was intending to buy a decent MIG welder (passed a great deal on an ESAB and a variety of others) but considering the majority of aluminium and specialist work i'm guessing my only option is a TIG setup.
Problem is i have never used TIG before and am considering learning from a pro although i feel the resource of the internet combined with enough practice should be sufficient for what i need.
Ideally i want a 'do it all machine', i don't want to have to buy 2 welders to do the project.
Any recommendations on a decent welder to look at (there seem to be a lot of cheap makes about but am unsure which are the mickey mouse ones) i'm on a relatively limited budget and obviously want to spend as little as possible (second hand gear if possible) say a budget of £300-400, possibly 500 if absolutely required.
Thanks for any help, sorry for the long post and any incorrect ideas (as i say i am still an amateur)
Oh and i should add i am limited to 230v single phase, got 13amp plugs only at the mo, i presume due to the lightweight nature of the project i only need a relatively low amperage welder.
-Sam.
I'm not new to welding but i'd certainly still consider myself very much an amatuer, in the past i have used a couple of mig welders for odd jobs. (An old SIP 150 and one of those SIP handymate gasless).
This was basically odd jobs on car sills, and a few little projects etc.
I really don't like the gasless welder, the wire feed is awful.
My brother introduced me to welding (he was welding steel boat hulls and custom vehicles at the time)
Basically i am involved in an upcoming custom vehicle (road) project and i need to do some very neat fabrication of both automotive grade aluminium (sheet and tube = bodywork and chassis typically in the region of 1-4mm but will need to do some thicker components no doubt) and i can't divulge too much about the project but it is highly likely i will be welding high performance stainless too.
Basically think light weight vehicle frame fabrication, typical work you'd find on a sports bike or small kit car frame and some panel work. (such as welding tabs onto sheet)
I understand that this element of the project will be very challenging having only done some mig fabrication before but thankfully i am a very quick learner and intend to practice, practice practice (i have a variety of side projects and a current, lower grade vehicle project)
I was intending to buy a decent MIG welder (passed a great deal on an ESAB and a variety of others) but considering the majority of aluminium and specialist work i'm guessing my only option is a TIG setup.
Problem is i have never used TIG before and am considering learning from a pro although i feel the resource of the internet combined with enough practice should be sufficient for what i need.
Ideally i want a 'do it all machine', i don't want to have to buy 2 welders to do the project.
Any recommendations on a decent welder to look at (there seem to be a lot of cheap makes about but am unsure which are the mickey mouse ones) i'm on a relatively limited budget and obviously want to spend as little as possible (second hand gear if possible) say a budget of £300-400, possibly 500 if absolutely required.
Thanks for any help, sorry for the long post and any incorrect ideas (as i say i am still an amateur)
Oh and i should add i am limited to 230v single phase, got 13amp plugs only at the mo, i presume due to the lightweight nature of the project i only need a relatively low amperage welder.
-Sam.