arc welder for 13amp supply.

[jef88]

Budget & requirements? Or I should really say requirements?, and then give you the budget!
weldequip

yea just gimme it straight, im earning a bit of extra cash this month anyway

requirements = practice. so i'm gonna be welding most things, and whatever the case, i'll end up trying to weld things too thin/thick for the welder to actually cope with. (like I say, just to practice)

 

[snowcat]

yea just gimme it straight, im earning a bit of extra cash this month anyway

Personaly If you can afford a few hundred quid then get yourself an Inverter, you wont regret it........

 

[jef88]

Personaly If you can afford a few hundred quid then get yourself an Inverter, you wont regret it........

I've thaught about this, but when people say 'easier' (ie smoother etc) it puts me off a little...

I don't know if this is true with arc welding, but whenever I've learnt somthing, I've found you get get more knowledge learning the 'hard' way. A good example is guitar. learning acoustic guitar makes you alot more careful with your fingers, where as electrics, you can press a string either side on the frets and the sound still comes out okay, sorta "forgiving", so I'm wanting to learn to do things properly. I don't know if that comparison makes any sense, or if it actually relates in anyway to inverter vs. transformer, but i'll let you decide that.

Thanks alot,
James.

 

[weldequip]

Inverter would be good James, they put out DC current so run the rods much smoother (less sticking than you would get with AC) + you can also use them for basic TIG welding.
If you just plan on using it to learn on & then upgrading when funds/needs allow then no need to spend silly money (although quality kit is definately more forgiving).
If you just want something to play with that you can still dust-down out of the garden shed 10 years hence...cheap AC transformer set.
weldequip

 

[Wozzaaah]

James, with both AC and DC mma welding the actual process is the same it's just that the arc is much smoother, softer and quieter with DC than it is with AC. Trust me, use an AC machine then a DC one and I know which one you'll prefer .

 

[jef88]

righto. I suppose the next question is, does anyone know of a fairly reasonable and well priced stick inverter I don't know what brands to choose (I'm a stahwille or snap-on man usually) because this is a new industry to me.

 

[jugs]

Do you have a beard, drive a Volvo & have an interest in railway engines per chance?
weldequip

Yes, a long white one

Yes, a blue 740

Yes. (plus 3/4 of a mile of 7 1/4" track to run them on.)

Sounds like you want to fight
So step outside...



















.......I'll hold your coat

 

[matt1978]

I am also confused about the information that they have given in the write up of that machine..........says the welding range is 65-150 amps........and then gives the electrode diameter range of 0.8mm-2.5mm (I am not even sure 0.8mm rods exist? I think its 1.0mm is smallest?) But the point is that the minimum and maximum amperages specified dont tally with the minimum and maximum electrodes sizes, 160 amps would easily burn a 3.2mm rod and poss even a 4.0mm. (Maybe its because it would only weld at 160 amps for something like 10 seconds before the duty cycle is exceeded! So you have to ask, why bother selling it as a 160 amp machine)

Also Jef, I appreciate your new to all of this, but if your used to working with quality tools such as Snap-On etc, I think you would be very disappointed with the quality/performance of this machine.

Save your pennies and buy yourself a decent 140 amp or 150 amp Inverter from a good reputable manufacturer, with good duty cycles.........you'll be glad you did in the long term

 

[snowcat]

righto. I suppose the next question is, does anyone know of a fairly reasonable and well priced stick inverter I don't know what brands to choose (I'm a stahwille or snap-on man usually) because this is a new industry to me.

I have both Fornuis and Lorch Inverters, you wont go far long with either of these, if you have a look at a wright up iv done in the welders and welding machines section on the Lorch T series (although obviously not the machine for you but it will give you an idea of the quality of the machines), and Matt1978 Lorch's new web site plug your see theres a few of us in the job raving about the kit..... with some discount and a prompt to the right dealer a 150amp lorch inverter could well be in your budget.... that will run rods all day (I have) on a 13 amp plug socket, nahhh problems and weighs nothing, member Wyn also has one and will for sure give you as glowing report..........

Id avoid the draper and the sealy type sets that are about in all the big shops, not because there especially bad, just IMHO very overpriced for a mediocre set, If you going on a budget in the DIY side then there will be a few on here that can recomend some decent set in that sector

 

[wyn]

As Snowcat says, i find the small Lorch inverter to give a real nice weld and is a quality machine. Mine was £395 ish all in, (VAT, delivery etc) from Wellington Welding.

I was on the lookout for something to replace a Clarke 200A buzzbox and mainly use 3.25 rods for a couple of hours at a time.

 

[chriskelland]

That'll be with most people on this forum will it not?! Do you have a beard, drive a Volvo & have an interest in railway engines per chance?
weldequip

Hi Weldequip and All,

Hmmm, seems we have all met them, mine was into 5" but no track in the garden.

Chris.