So, thought I'd join up and see what this is all about. It's been years since I welded anything, and back then it was all stick really unless you were loaded. Did some fabrication work for Compair back in the early 80's and was reasonably proficient with a stick welder, well, I didn't get any re-work thrown back at me anyway.
So, bought an old Defender needing a few chassis repairs. Not bad enough to warrant a new chassis though. Did a load of research by lurking on here and also various reviews on Youtube etc, and I stumped up for an R-Tech IGBT Mig 180 with a few extras. Got a hobbyweld bottle, automatic mask, gauntlets, apron and some steely boots. Now just need to learn to use it all. I like the fact it can do the MMA so if I turn out to be crap at MIG I can revert to stick. Initially set up with 0.8 wire and it does seem smooth on some 3mm angle iron I had laying around. Hard to get the settings right though, still aiming for that bacon sizzling sound but the welds have stood up to a 4lb club hammer assault. Decent penetration and stronger than the steel itself. Managed to start a tear in the steel during the strength tests, but the welds held up just fine.
Looking at the LR chassis it seems to be 2.5mm steel so the 180a rating ought to be enough. I will run the welder off a 16a commando socket as well to get the full power available.
Off to the local steel stockholders to grab some sheet for making repair sections, and see if I can raid their scrap bin for some practice material.
As for the alloy bodywork, well that's another day. Many secondhand parts available though so not overly worried.
Wish me luck!. Dom.
So, bought an old Defender needing a few chassis repairs. Not bad enough to warrant a new chassis though. Did a load of research by lurking on here and also various reviews on Youtube etc, and I stumped up for an R-Tech IGBT Mig 180 with a few extras. Got a hobbyweld bottle, automatic mask, gauntlets, apron and some steely boots. Now just need to learn to use it all. I like the fact it can do the MMA so if I turn out to be crap at MIG I can revert to stick. Initially set up with 0.8 wire and it does seem smooth on some 3mm angle iron I had laying around. Hard to get the settings right though, still aiming for that bacon sizzling sound but the welds have stood up to a 4lb club hammer assault. Decent penetration and stronger than the steel itself. Managed to start a tear in the steel during the strength tests, but the welds held up just fine.
Looking at the LR chassis it seems to be 2.5mm steel so the 180a rating ought to be enough. I will run the welder off a 16a commando socket as well to get the full power available.
Off to the local steel stockholders to grab some sheet for making repair sections, and see if I can raid their scrap bin for some practice material.
As for the alloy bodywork, well that's another day. Many secondhand parts available though so not overly worried.
Wish me luck!. Dom.