Newbie Welder With Questions

[TicTack]

Hi all.
I'm a budding hobby/general fix it welder, researching machines at the moment. My budget is around £600 for a purchase of something like the following:
Single phase.
Gas/Gasless.
Four roller wire feed.
Up to 5mm steels.
Inverter type ???
Euro torch.

I've seen a Wuber, allegedly made in Germany that comes with an 8 litre gas cylinder which you immediately hand in to a local gas supplier for a refill.
My initial questions are:
1: Is there a chance that my local gas supplier is likely to turn around and say, "we don't stock that type of cylinder", therefore leaving me stuffed ?
2: Is 8 litres enough for reasonable use or should I go for 20 litres or so ?
3: I'm a little wary of Chinese made stuff, are my fears unfounded and should I visit a local supplier or sell my soul to online suppliers ?

Cheers guy's

 

[tom2207]

welcome to the forum , there is a very recent thread covering purchasing a machine similar to your specs , well maybe not up to 5mm on mig .. and another link to what seems like a good offer ,, as for 8lt cylinder ,,, better than disposables but you will spend as much on fuel running to get it filled as you will on gas , and it will always run out on a Sat morning when you want to weld on a Sunday ,,, its just how life as a welder goes.

 

[BrokenBiker]

You would need to ask your local gas supplier first...I know my supplier won't touch anyone else's bottles apart from their own as they are under contract etc

 

[eddie49]

Hello and welcome to the Forum !

If the "German" WUBER "250" Amp welder that you refer to is this one:

WUBER Germany Welder 250A Weld Synergy Machine Shield gas cylinder + regulator | eBay UK

Wuber MIG Welder Features. Manufacturer Wuber. Wuber MIG MMA TIG MAG Welder W19005 (250A). MIG MAG MMA TIG Inverter Welder 250A - Flux Gas Multi-Function Welding Machine. Equipped withHot Start, Arc Force, Anti-Stick functions, the welder ensures convenient and efficient operation.

www.ebay.co.uk

then at £600 the price is about three times what it is worth. Or maybe 600 times, since I don't consider it to be worth anything at all....

The gas cylinder has a CO2-style valve and it is delivered empty. I doubt if you will be able to get it filled anywhere.
The internal photo of the welder shows an almost-empty case, with an inverter PCB that is about half the typical size. Rather than 250 Amps, it probably can deliver 140 Amps at most.

There is plenty of advice about realistic alternatives in recent threads in the "Buying a Welder" section.

 

[tom2207]

Hello and welcome to the Forum !

If the "German" WUBER "250" Amp welder that you refer to is this one:

WUBER Germany Welder 250A Weld Synergy Machine Shield gas cylinder + regulator | eBay UK

Wuber MIG Welder Features. Manufacturer Wuber. Wuber MIG MMA TIG MAG Welder W19005 (250A). MIG MAG MMA TIG Inverter Welder 250A - Flux Gas Multi-Function Welding Machine. Equipped withHot Start, Arc Force, Anti-Stick functions, the welder ensures convenient and efficient operation.

www.ebay.co.uk

then at £600 the price is about three times what it is worth. Or maybe 600 times, since I don't consider it to be worth anything at all....

The gas cylinder has a CO2-style valve and it is delivered empty. I doubt if you will be able to get it filled anywhere.
The internal photo of the welder shows an almost-empty case, with an inverter PCB that is about half the typical size. Rather than 250 Amps, it probably can deliver 140 Amps at most.

There is plenty of advice about realistic alternatives in recent threads in the "Buying a Welder" section.

good grief ... it looks like they forgot to put the workings in it ,,,, even from having my Chinese Rohr apart to insulate the case incase the board touches I can see thats small ,,, If eddie49 say no ,,,, then thats all the advise you need ,

 

[TicTack]

You would need to ask your local gas supplier first...I know my supplier won't touch anyone else's bottles apart from their own as they are under contract etc

Is your arrangement a subscription or a one off cylinder rental and pay for refills ?

 

[TicTack]

good grief ... it looks like they forgot to put the workings in it ,,,, even from having my Chinese Rohr apart to insulate the case incase the board touches I can see thats small ,,, If eddie49 say no ,,,, then thats all the advise you need ,

Yeah, I'm finding the research a bit of a nightmare to be honest, I'm beginning to find out that when you start digging, most machines are made in China, even the GYS that is a French company are manufactured in China, the Sealy one are Chinese.

 

[addjunkie]

Car Parts & Spares – Buy Online with Fast UK Delivery | GSF Car Parts

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www.gsfcarparts.com

Is a distributor for SGS non rental gasses. Most gas places dont want to fill a cylinder not supplied by themselves.
Buy Welder from a uk dealer, then you get support if you have issues.

 

[TicTack]

Car Parts & Spares – Buy Online with Fast UK Delivery | GSF Car Parts

GSF Car Parts stocks all of the car parts, accessories, and tools that you’ll need to keep your vehicle in good shape. Free UK delivery. Shop online today.

www.gsfcarparts.com

Is a distributor for SGS non rental gasses. Most gas places dont want to fill a cylinder not supplied by themselves.
Buy Welder from a uk dealer, then you get support if you have issues.

Luckily, I have a gas distributor local to me so once I've settled on a machine I'll go and see them about a cylinder. Hopefully it will be a one off cylinder rental and refills as and when I need them. Don't want to go down the rabbit hole of regular subscriptions like I had years ago with my oxy-acetylene kit.

 

[eddie49]

rental deposit

 

[tom2207]

Yeah, I'm finding the research a bit of a nightmare to be honest, I'm beginning to find out that when you start digging, most machines are made in China, even the GYS that is a French company are manufactured in China, the Sealy one are Chinese.

like I often say ,, you dont ever buy a welder ,,,, you buy a warranty and they lend you a welder to go with it.

 

[Mark 2]

Hi all.
I'm a budding hobby/general fix it welder, researching machines at the moment. My budget is around £600 for a purchase of something like the following:
Single phase.
Gas/Gasless.
Four roller wire feed.
Up to 5mm steels.
Inverter type ???
Euro torch.

What are you intending to weld/fabricate?

 

[BrokenBiker]

Is your arrangement a subscription or a one off cylinder rental and pay for refills ?

I am rent free, so a deposit paid on the bottle when first purchasing has, refundable if the empty bottle is returned without wanting it refilled...

 

[TicTack]

What are you intending to weld/fabricate?

General repairs, (not on vehicles) and higher quality antenna mounting brackets.

 

[Popcorn]

Luckily, I have a gas distributor local to me so once I've settled on a machine I'll go and see them about a cylinder. Hopefully it will be a one off cylinder rental and refills as and when I need them. Don't want to go down the rabbit hole of regular subscriptions like I had years ago with my oxy-acetylene kit.

Check with them coz the branch in Hull, doesn't do welding gas anymore.

 

[aesmith]

1: Is there a chance that my local gas supplier is likely to turn around and say, "we don't stock that type of cylinder", therefore leaving me stuffed ?

I don't know if there are any gas suppliers who'll fill a random cylinder presented to them.

Just also noticed, showing not everyone understands percentages ..

"With a 60% duty cycle at ambient temperatures below 25°C, the welder can operate for 5 minutes at full load, followed by a 5-minute break."