Aldi Mig.....Verdict?

[mosschops]

Hi All,
New to mig welding,
Thinking about the aldi/powercraft model, some still available in local store.
Any feedback or comments, good or bad, from anyone that bought this new model,
Know its pretty basic, but if puts down a reasonable weld, it might meet my needs. No major projects planned for near future.
mosschops

 

[BChild]

Hi All,
New to mig welding,
Thinking about the aldi/powercraft model, some still available in local store.
Any feedback or comments, good or bad, from anyone that bought this new model,
Know its pretty basic, but if puts down a reasonable weld, it might meet my needs. No major projects planned for near future.
mosschops

Use the search facility - I'm sure it's been covered in at least a couple of threads.....

 

[BChild]

Here and Here and Here

There you go but do try the search facility it's quite good on this forum

 

[pedrobedro]

Omega Wolf (Powercraft) tools warehouse is near here in Kirkby in Ashfield NG17 7LF and their help line is 08707 323023. Their stuff is badged Walter Werkzeuge as well in some cases.

 

[CTB]

Sewnsews want 50 Euros for them here!

 

[scotclayshooter]

I picked up this cheap welder from Aldi just to do 1 job while i was 106 miles away from my normal gear, It worked fine with no problems bought for £40 and sold it for £20 recently and now have a Thermal arc 175 inverter for carrying around in the van.

 

[philpullan]

^^^^ive got 1 of those pictured above so has my mate they just pop 13amp fuses did yours ?

 

[GeorgeB]

^^^^ive got 1 of those pictured above so has my mate they just pop 13amp fuses did yours ?

IMHO these welders do exactly what it says on the tin, albeit not with the refinement of something like a Lorch.The above ALDI arc welder specifically excludes using it on the top 160A setting with a 13 amp fuse. I don't think they could make it any clearer. I think the latest machine from LIDL is limited to 80A so a 13 amp fuse should be fine, even if you don't read the instructions.

 

[the snooper]

oooh i say

 

[philpullan]

IMHO these welders do exactly what it says on the tin, albeit not with the refinement of something like a Lorch.The above ALDI arc welder specifically excludes using it on the top 160A setting with a 13 amp fuse. I don't think they could make it any clearer. I think the latest machine from LIDL is limited to 80A so a 13 amp fuse should be fine, even if you don't read the instructions.

mine kept blowing fuses when arcing up was around middle seting on its setting window thingi so its now used for storing dust on il stick to using the old clarke


phil

 

[scotclayshooter]

It blew the first fuse quickly but 1 6" nail and some trimming with a angle grinder fixed that problem

I was thinking of linking 2 plugs to 1 outlet in a Y to see if it would stop the problem but got the inverter so dont have that problem now.

 

[Tangmere]

It blew the first fuse quickly but 1 6" nail and some trimming with a angle grinder fixed that problem

I was thinking of linking 2 plugs to 1 outlet in a Y to see if it would stop the problem but got the inverter so dont have that problem now.

 

[brightspark]

It blew the first fuse quickly but 1 6" nail and some trimming with a angle grinder fixed that problem

I was thinking of linking 2 plugs to 1 outlet in a Y to see if it would stop the problem but got the inverter so dont have that problem now.

that is not good idea atall that would mean if u plugged it into the ringmain it would be fused at 30 amp . the cable on welder probably rated to 16 amp
. one thing could be done. solder a piece of 15 amp fuse wire over a blown 13 amp fuse in the plug soldering the holder as well this stops the conections getting warm and gives an extra 2 amp which makes a big difrence. the rating is still correct for welder and cable ive done it on my welder and compresor . its been on many years without problem

 

[scotclayshooter]

that is not good idea atall that would mean if u plugged it into the ringmain it would be fused at 30 amp . the cable on welder probably rated to 16 amp
. one thing could be done. solder a piece of 15 amp fuse wire over a blown 13 amp fuse in the plug soldering the holder as well this stops the conections getting warm and gives an extra 2 amp which makes a big difrence. the rating is still correct for welder and cable ive done it on my welder and compresor . its been on many years without problem

I challenge you to find a welder on a farm in the north of Scotland that does not use a nail or bolt as a "fuse"

My thought was that the 2 plugs sharing the power would stop them heating up, And a dead short would trip the MCB before the cables melted.

If its a garage or workshop its easy enough to fit a 16 amp supply and i have a short cable so i can plug it into a 13 amp socket when needed

 

[Wozzaaah]

Better thing is to do the job properly and install the proper supply for the machine!

This is a DIY forum aimed towards people who are inexperienced, suggesting downright dangerous practices like that is NOT the sort of thing we want to see on here scotclayshooter!
I'm not even sure what your Aldi welder has to do with this thread either, the thread's about Lidl machines.

I challenge you to find a welder on a farm in the north of Scotland that does not use a nail or bolt as a "fuse"

So that makes it acceptable to recommend it to others?

 

[brightspark]

I challenge you to find a welder on a farm in the north of Scotland that does not use a nail or bolt as a "fuse"

My thought was that the 2 plugs sharing the power would stop them heating up, And a dead short would trip the MCB before the cables melted.

If its a garage or workshop its easy enough to fit a 16 amp supply and i have a short cable so i can plug it into a 13 amp socket when needed

all i can say about that is bigger fool them if thats what they want to do i hope health and safety and insurance company feel the same about it

 

[scotclayshooter]

Better thing is to do the job properly and install the proper supply for the machine!

This is a DIY forum aimed towards people who are inexperienced, suggesting downright dangerous practices like that is NOT the sort of thing we want to see on here scotclayshooter!
I'm not even sure what your Aldi welder has to do with this thread either, the thread's about Lidl machines.


So that makes it acceptable to recommend it to others?

Re-read my posts did i suggest anyone do this i was just sharing MY thoughts.

I will go delete my posts if you so require seeing as i was off topic with a cheap ALDI welder insted of LIDL

 

[Wozzaaah]

No, you didn't suggest it but you did it and said it fixed the problem.

The issue is that someone might read the post and think "ooh, my fuse pops if I crank it up but matey on the forum says he doesn't bother with a fuse and uses a nail instead, I reckon I'll do the same as he says it's fine to do so".

It's not fine to do so as you know, the fuse is there for a reason!

I will sort this thread out later as it's gone way off-topic.

 

[scotclayshooter]

And yet you never jumped on Brightspark for soldering a bit of 15 amp over a blown 13 amp fuse........

 

[Wozzaaah]

You're right, I didn't, but what he's done is still relatively safe as it's still a fusible link. The 15A fuse wire is lower rated than the cable which means it will still be the weakest link in the event of an overcurrent situation.