anybody ever use one

[oilcooled :)]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-Body-weld...14&_trkparms=72:1688|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

seen this yoke the other day just wondering is it a good alternative to a mig for the light stuff but im suspecting alot of slag problem

 

[Archie]

Ah-ha! The world famous 'Attachment'! Look up some of the posts by GeorgeB; he had one of these and was attempting to weld some thin sheet with it. I believe some of his efforts are documented in the Arc Welding forum.

P.S Without wishing to court controversy, the short answer is 'no'.

EDIT: Some bedtime reading: 1, 2, 3, 4 Number two is probably of most interest.

 

[M1CDQ]

I have come across this before but have no info on if its works
http://m1cdq.co.uk/files/spotWelder#2.pdf

it looks a lot along the same lines

found this http://www.frost.co.uk

 

[oilcooled :)]

i checked out that dudes feed back anyone that bought it is satisfied with it

 

[oilcooled :)]

would it damage a mans welder more to the point if theres diodes in it would it be for ac output only or dc?

 

[series2]

Hi, it would only work on AC. If you used it on DC, dependant on the polarity, it would either have no effect, or stop it from working altogether.

 

[GeorgeB]

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Car-Body-weld...14&_trkparms=72:1688|66:2|65:12|39:1|240:1318

seen this yoke the other day just wondering is it a good alternative to a mig for the light stuff but im suspecting alot of slag problem

Despite my enthusiasm for arc welding, I have to say that I don't think one of those Kel-Arc attachments could ever be viewed as a good alternative to a MIG welder in terms of getting a decent-looking welded joint quite quickly. I still reckon my Kel-Arc device has some potential but I stopped using it when I found I could arc weld 0.8mm metal with no need for the Kel-Arc, after all.

Could I recommend the Kel-Arc unreservedly? NO
Do I think it has some merit and potential? YES

 

[rtbcomp]

Hi, it would only work on AC. If you used it on DC, dependant on the polarity, it would either have no effect, or stop it from working altogether.

DC will get through a bridge rectifier no matter what the input polarity is, it will get blocked by a single diode only.

 

[series2]

DC will get through a bridge rectifier no matter what the input polarity is, it will get blocked by a single diode only.

That is correct, these things have only one diode resulting in half wave rectifed AC, as such you get a 50Hz 'pulsed' output. It's not a true pulse as it is half a sine wave, not a square wave and you can't adjust the duty cylcle. To some degree it will work, if only by virtue of the fact it effectively halves the output of the welder.

I use Mig for thin stuff, stick for 3mm+. Being that you can get a useable MIG welder for around £100, why try and use stick for thin sheet?

I have a friend who welds for a living, construction work RSJ's etc. I once watched him arc weld two bean cans together to prove to an apprentice that it could be done, a nice weld too. He's been welding every day for 35 years, and uses Mig or gas for thin sheet.

 

[GeorgeB]

why try and use stick for thin sheet? I have a friend who welds for a living, construction work RSJ's etc. I once watched him arc weld two bean cans together to prove to an apprentice that it could be done, a nice weld too. He's been welding every day for 35 years, and uses Mig or gas for thin sheet.

Because, as an amateur when taking a bit more time is effectively free, it's a lot cheaper in terms of equipment outlay, storage space and the avoidance of repairs, maintenance and consumables like mig tips and, of course, costly gas. For a professional, time is money, and cosmetic appearance may be more important too, so I'm not surprised they avoid arc on thin sheet, most of the time.

 

[series2]

Hi George,

To be able to weld 1mm and less with stick is a good skill, I'm not trying to take anything away from that. My first ever bodywork repairs were done using stick, and passed an MOT (but lets not go there).

What I am trying to say is, if you are starting out welding, the initial outlay for a reasoanble arc welder, rods, etc. is about the same as a reasonable MIG. For DIY use, rental bottles are not nessacery, I use the disposables myself and get through perhaps 5 - 10 per year, cheaper for me than rental/refill charges.

 

[zardoz]

Let me also add it makes a big difference as to what make of Arc rod you use. I didnt realize this and wondered why my old Arc welder was no good with thinner stuff, untill i took home a few rods from college and saw the diifference it made from my cheap Machine Mart rods.

 

[Archie]

Please, please, please, for the love of God let's not start!

 

[snowcat]

Please, please, please, for the love of God let's not start!

second that motion, one more to carry?

 

[GeorgeB]

Hi George,

To be able to weld 1mm and less with stick is a good skill, I'm not trying to take anything away from that. My first ever bodywork repairs were done using stick, and passed an MOT (but lets not go there).

What I am trying to say is, if you are starting out welding, the initial outlay for a reasoanble arc welder, rods, etc. is about the same as a reasonable MIG. For DIY use, rental bottles are not nessacery, I use the disposables myself and get through perhaps 5 - 10 per year, cheaper for me than rental/refill charges.

I'd love to reply but, as you can tell from a couple of posts above, it's clearly frowned upon so I won't! Sad. Time after time, other subjects come round time and time again here - the same questions, the same answers and very similar repeat debates - and that's OK but, the moment some weight was added to the argument for arc welding thin body panels, by a couple of MOT passes, it all changed for this particular subject. Well, the forum is called mig-welding!

 

[zardoz]

Please, please, please, for the love of God let's not start!

Well i was talking of Arc rods not Arc welders.

 

[chevyman_de]

I use the disposables myself and get through perhaps 5 - 10 per year, cheaper for me than rental/refill charges.

Is it really that difficult/expensive in the UK?
In Germany you pay the equivalent of 10 - 14 GBP for a disposable, depending on your source. Several DIY-shop chains carry real bottles as well, up to 20l size. You buy the bottle and pay for the exchange afterwards. It doesn't matter how long you keep the bottle. You bring the empty one in and get a full one in return immediately. Even after ten years, no questions asked.

A 10l bottle is about 135 - 150 GBP, and 30 - 35 for a refill over here. A 10l bottle equals 33 disposables. You can't win with disposables.

 

[Drains]

Because, as an amateur when taking a bit more time is effectively free, it's a lot cheaper in terms of equipment outlay, storage space and the avoidance of repairs, maintenance and consumables like mig tips and, of course, costly gas. For a professional, time is money, and cosmetic appearance may be more important too, so I'm not surprised they avoid arc on thin sheet, most of the time.

Now George, I think you've hit the nail on the head! The beauty of arc welding is its relative cheapness, and for me, that beats lugging around and setting up Mig hands down. I have and use both, in their place.

The good thing about mig of course, is that it's easy. Your argument - if your time is cheap, then there's nothing wrong with doing it the hard way with stick, is spot on. I've avoided plenty of investment over the years by having time to spare, and the ambition to do it my way, or the old fashioned way, which ever worked.

Comment as much as you like (ignore those meanies Archie and Snowcat). I'm just glad that at last you have seen the balanced argument. (or admitted to seeing it, anyway)