Basic welder wanted for simple fabrication

[vexedben]

Hi, I'm currently building a dirt buggy and need to do some welding for seat mounts and the like. I've been thinking of looking at arc welding as its cheaper start up costs. The max I will be welding is 3mm steel thick steel pieces. Can any one help me with where to start.

Many thanks

Ben

 

[cornishwelding]

An inverter would probably suit what you want to do, but what would be the minimum thickness you would want to weld? that is more important than the maximum thickness you want to weld.

If you want to then weld some thin panels etc, the stick could well be a bit on the fierce side, but you could add a TIG torch to it at a later stage to do the thin stuff, that would involve getting a bottle, but you would need that if you went the MIG route.

 

[vexedben]

I would be looking to weld a minimum of 1mm maybe. It's only for brackets and stuff and the chassis is made of 2.5mm thick steel so it would have to be able to weld things to that sized tubing.

Ben

 

[jonjoe]

you will be doing nothing but burning holes using a stick welder

 

[vexedben]

So should I look at mig welders instead?

 

[cumbriasteve]

A fair bit of experience is required to have any success using arc on thin material, even then it's something most people try to avoid due to the difficulty.

I have arc welded for more years than I care to mention and even then I would only consider attempting 1mm if I was really pushed and had no alternative...I would still be looking to use heatsinks and strike plates to avoid blowing through....in other words I would not advise it at all.

Something like a 135 or 150 Clarke MIG would be my suggestion, the 135 is fine for the work you mention..the 150 is better if you get hooked on projects and ever want to do the occasional 5mm job.