I've not been on here since I built my kit car and trailer - for which I used a buzz box arc welder - the trailer not the kit car .
Aforementioned buzz box died a month or so back and I found myself in need of sticking some metal together (I can't in all honesty call what I do "welding")
So...I went on the hunt for a little mig, the last one I had was a SIP, and ended up in a skip after a ton of wire feed issues, so I never got to learn how to use it, so this time I kept an eye out for a more solid 240v mig.
Landed on a Butters AMT 1800 with Murex torch, full argonsheild big cylinder and parweld auto dimming mask for £325. It's not the deal of the century, and I know the BOC bottle will need to be returned when empty, but the amount I weld it should last a year or more - so I am happy and it was local, I'm fed up of winning a "bargain" and then spending £80 in fuel to get it and losing a day of my weekend
Looking forward to getting to grips with it!
I ran an initial test bead yesterday, and all works well - my settings are miles off, but I can learn them when I have more time.
I will be posting up more as I go, with photos asking for hints and tips.
Few initial thoughts - the weld pool spits a lot less than ARC welding, I haven't managed to get any nice "coins" yet - I;m not even sure if that is a thing on MIG welding and not having slag to knock off is lovely - though you don't get the sense of satisfaction when you lay a nice bead and the slag peels itself off...
Aforementioned buzz box died a month or so back and I found myself in need of sticking some metal together (I can't in all honesty call what I do "welding")
So...I went on the hunt for a little mig, the last one I had was a SIP, and ended up in a skip after a ton of wire feed issues, so I never got to learn how to use it, so this time I kept an eye out for a more solid 240v mig.
Landed on a Butters AMT 1800 with Murex torch, full argonsheild big cylinder and parweld auto dimming mask for £325. It's not the deal of the century, and I know the BOC bottle will need to be returned when empty, but the amount I weld it should last a year or more - so I am happy and it was local, I'm fed up of winning a "bargain" and then spending £80 in fuel to get it and losing a day of my weekend
Looking forward to getting to grips with it!
I ran an initial test bead yesterday, and all works well - my settings are miles off, but I can learn them when I have more time.
I will be posting up more as I go, with photos asking for hints and tips.
Few initial thoughts - the weld pool spits a lot less than ARC welding, I haven't managed to get any nice "coins" yet - I;m not even sure if that is a thing on MIG welding and not having slag to knock off is lovely - though you don't get the sense of satisfaction when you lay a nice bead and the slag peels itself off...