Another Newbie to Mig.

[HuMpH]

Hi Folks,
well im a newbie to welding full stop. I have been having a go with a clarke 90 that I bought which uses the small gas bottles.
My first question which may sound stupid, once you turn on the gas to have a play at welding is it continually being used even when you put the torch down to see what mess has been made (my welding) or does it only use gas when you press the trigger ?
I seem to have used a bottle full of gas in just a few minutes and at a tenner a pop it would be cheaper to get it done elsewhere lol.
2nd question I know ppl use those larger bottles so would I be able to get one to use at home in garage or do you need some kind of permit to have bottles ? and what would I need to buy please.

I will of course be reading as much as poss now for next few days and see if the answers have already been given, sorry if they have and I should of read up first.
Great site btw im hooked already with 10mins moochin.

Cheers Ian

 

[spaffmonkey]

Hi Folks,
well im a newbie to welding full stop. I have been having a go with a clarke 90 that I bought which uses the small gas bottles.
My first question which may sound stupid, once you turn on the gas to have a play at welding is it continually being used even when you put the torch down to see what mess has been made (my welding) or does it only use gas when you press the trigger ?
I seem to have used a bottle full of gas in just a few minutes and at a tenner a pop it would be cheaper to get it done elsewhere lol.
2nd question I know ppl use those larger bottles so would I be able to get one to use at home in garage or do you need some kind of permit to have bottles ? and what would I need to buy please.

Cheers Ian

Hi and welcome

i recall someone saying the little bottle dont last more that 10 mins welding
i might be mistaken

The large gas bottles are defanatly the cheaper option
you dont need a permit and you can ither get a lease hire one from boc,
air products and others companeys lease them or keep an eye out on ebay thats where i got mine. also hss hire can get boc bottles for you without leasing them. i use them to refill my big bottle.
and if you got a large bottle you will need a regulator for the bottle and adaptor to fit welder.

hope i havn't boggled you to much with that.

 

[runnach]

Awe right Ian, I no little of the small bottles, but from what numerous others have said in the past, they don,t last long at all mate. Go fr larger rental bottle, others will reply what is best to rent, and where.

Gas should cease flowing when you let go of trigger on gun, most plant,including diy ones have a gas solenoid, this opens/closes on demand.

HTH and cheers

 

[HuMpH]

wow thanks for the fast replies lads, so if im looking on ebay for a bottle what type do I need ? is it a cetain one that takes the argon stuff or will they refill any bottle ? sorry im thick as at the minute lol.
Just been looking on the weldequip site and seen the regulator conversion sets for £40ish Is that the kit you mean ?

Cheers Ian.

 

[spaffmonkey]

wow thanks for the fast replies lads, so if im looking on ebay for a bottle what type do I need ? is it a cetain one that takes the argon stuff or will they refill any bottle ? sorry im thick as at the minute lol.
Just been looking on the weldequip site and seen the regulator conversion sets for £40ish Is that the kit you mean ?

Cheers Ian.

I got my boc bottle off ebay and there was mixed views as people said
all boc bottle are owned by boc and you can only get them filled if you have a boc account. so after panacking a lot I rang the guy i brought it of who said hss hire shop will swap it no worrys without contract. went there a got it.
You should be fine with a size X bottle and i use argoshield light but if your
getting one of ebay ask seller if it is in test. as makes it easyer to swap.
around the top of the bottle there will be two plastic tags that say when
they will need testing again.

just had a quick look on ebay and cannot find any at the moment but its worth keeping a eye out. or if you want one quickly go to your nearest hss
and ask for argonshield lt and say you dont have an empty.

 

[HuMpH]

Thanks again, will nip to hss on tuesday and see how much they are then I just need the conversion kit ?
will this be the right one :http://www.weldequip.com/argonmix-conversion-kit.htm

Just wanna make sure I get the right stuff then I can lock myself in garage and have a proper play.

 

[Mikey D]

Have you had a look in the shielding gas section of the forum? , the BOC offer is still on as well as several other low or no rent options . I have got gas from a hire shop before now but only on short term hire and wasnt all that cheap , ive got no idea what hss are charging tho
That kit from weldequip will do the job yes

cheers mike

 

[arny]

hi all,
im a newbie aswell and i am about to take a 10 week welding course. i have a choice of the different welds i can learn. i am hoping to build a car chassis out of alluminium tubes and would like to know which type of weld to learn and then which welding kit would best suit me for a budget of around £200.

cheers

 

[shenion]

For aluminum, you need an AC TIG, no way for a £200 budget.

An aluminum frame is not something you can just slap together. There are serious stress issues that require specific materials and probably heat treatment.

 

[arny]

ok thanks shenion, is there anything you can recommend? how about stainless steel? and what sort of price range?

cheers

 

[shenion]

For steel a 150A MIG would do. The Clarke 160TM would be the least inexpensive users of this forum would probably recommend.

For stainless, the gas will be more expensive along with the filler wire.

 

[arny]

thank you very much. ill have a look around and see what i can find. thanks for the help

arny