BlueWeld 150/1 Mig Welder

[cantfindausername]

As I'm looking around for set ups I see this one, that looks quite good for what I need.

Only question really is about power supply. It says it needs 16amp.

Would this run on a 13amp house supply? If so, would it mean that I couldn't use it for the full 5mm of steel it says it can do?

Still trying to get my head round this side of things.

Thanks,
Ant

 

[malcolm]

All the 150 amp welders will be rated at 16 amps input current. We're supposed to run them off the little round blue plugs (UK).

My own 150 amp welder runs off a 13 amp fused plug. The fuse blew once when I stuck the tip to the workpiece, and the contacts inside the plug did get a bit corroded and smoke a little once. But that's at my own risk - we're supposed to use the blue round plugs on a circuit designed to run 16 amps.

 

[Toyoden]

amps

Hi Ant, have read this question before in another site and not related to welding, the advice given was to change the fuse wire to 16amp so it won't keep blowing fuses, don't know if it is possible where you are, but here in Oz you can change the sizes of fuse wire, shhhhhhhh don't tell anyone , other way around it is, when welding, turn off any devices that are using the same line, I have a separate line to my Shed, so no power issues, single phase.

 

[malcolm]

Even I wouldn't change the fuse. There are good reasons why you can only buy 13 amp fuses for UK 3 pin plugs. Not least the plug is marginal for a continuous 13 amps, but the wires in the wall could be marginal too.

 

[Toyoden]

Fuses

There you go Ant, don't play with e l e c t r i c i t y . Like others have, fire is always an issue, like in a car can overload the fuse, but it has to go somewhere fire from overheating can result, so don't do as I said, here in Oz it may work, not there.

 

[cantfindausername]

Thanks guys. I won't change the fuse so no worries there.

I guess if I ran it on full power for short bursts it would be ok right?

And does that BlueWeld welder seem like a good deal?

Thanks,
Ant

 

[Toyoden]

Amps

G'day Ant, why not buy circuit breakers, so if anything does happen, the switch will shut the power off before you get any problems, safety first, then all you have to do is reset the switch, if it hspprns too often, may be a minor problem, hypothetical anyway, as Malcolm said your 16amp welders are supposed to run on 13amp fuses.

 

[cantfindausername]

G'day to you too! yeah I might get an inline circuit breaker or something like that.

I'm going to enrole in an evening course at college to teach me the fundamentals before I start to really practice in my own time.

I went to an open evening last night and he said the hardest part is knowing what to set up correctly.

 

[Toyoden]

Setups

Yes, setting up is the hardest, using a Mig will speed up your learning process, in no time you will be able to do a weld sufficient enough to do some body work on cars, Stainless is harder but still in time you will be doing SS welds, personally for a real nice SS weld, same goes for Ali, is Tig, not that I do it anymore, but when you get the hang of it, for me anyway, the welds looked great, did some pushbike stuff a few yrs ago, Tig was the only way the boss wanted welds done, esp as most bikes nowadays are Ali. Still do a gr8 weld with Mig, lost the nack for a while but getting it back. As you are learning, practice what you are taught until you get to the next lesson, some good info here for starters, get some scrap sheet metal not SS ($$$$) and get used to a technique, find one that suits you, like Malcolm I prefer two hands, getting older and not so steady anymore, for me , plus I have an auto shade mask, and the best thing since sliced bread for me, no more whiplash , playing with scrap helps with settings as well, you will hear ppl talk of a sizzle, like bacon on a bbq, that's the sound you are after when welding, not popping or air rushing, you will know when you hear your lecturer welding at College. I did a Panel beating and a Spray painting course two yrs back, am now getting into welding thin stuff, cars are hard, did my sons ute last yr, was easy, body work was heavy as was the panels, restored my 4x4 last yr as well, now roadworthy and looks gr8 with new metallic paint, went quiet for a while away from the gun and took a bit to get it right again, with Mals recommendations I soon got it right again.

 

[cantfindausername]

Would be nice to do tig, but its the expense I cant afford at the mo. Maybe in the future if I find I have a nack for welding.

I think I'll do a few lessons before spending out on a welder set up. I've eyed up the auto masks too.

I've had a quick go on an industrial mig before. and my weld was alright. It was only a couple of runs on the legs of a truss, but the main man was quite impressed with the quality for a first timer.

The more I think about it though the more I get confussed.

The lecturer said I could try tig out too to see if I like it.

I'm going to my mates workshop on saturday so might see if they have a tig I could have a go on too. That would be sweet.

 

[Toyoden]

Tig

Hi again, Don't worry about Tig for now, get good with Mig, Tig can come later, get the practical stuff first, better to be a master of one than a medioka of many. Doing lessons is a good idea, sure see how Tig etc works, for now there are far more experienced Mig, Arc welders around to give you the advice needed. Getting confused is normal, decision time will come soon enough, my advice, Mig sounds like you are very keen and enthusiastic, keep that enthusiasm up, and in no time, you will be giving advice as well. Have fun doing what you enjoy hey

 

[cantfindausername]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm just getting ahead of myself with the Tig. As you so rightly say... "better to be a master of one than a medioka of many"

I really couldn't agree more with that saying.

Do you think it would be worth purchasing a set up sooner rather than later so I can practice outside of college lesson time? Its my birthday in a few weeks so could go about getting some stuff from that.

 

[cantfindausername]

woopsy-doodle.... here's the link that I meant to post in the first one

http://www.thewelderswarehouse.com/acatalog/Mig_Welders.html

 

[Toyoden]

G'day again Ant, the mig looks really good, will be able to cope with everything you will want to weld, if you are 100% sure you will be doing a lot of welding and becoming a DIY guy, then yes get it now, then you can practice along the way as you are being taught, when you finish your course you will have the necessary skills to go straight into it without having to wait to purchase and get used to a new welder, your instructor also will be able to help you with setups etc with your machine, more than likely take the welder to class one day and he will go over the machine with you, to familiarise you with it, if it was me, I would buy it or get it for birthday present, lucky you if you get a welder for a b/day pressie. Your instructor will also be able to see what size spools etc it will take, also setups for SS, Ali and mild steel are different, certainly helps having an instructor go over everything. ps, good birthday pressie list for family, if they need ideas, welding helmet, gloves, apron, you get the drift lol. 1st project, make yourself a welding or workbench on wheels that lock, some good pics in other welding sites to make one.

 

[Toyoden]

http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=4891
Hopefully a pic will show a welding trolley

 

[cantfindausername]

Thanks for the link, I'll go have a look at that later. Got loads to do today as I'm off work

I think I will be putting a few things down on the list for my b'day. Got most bit I think I'll need. But I'll post up the links/list first to make sure I got it all covered with the helpful knowledge of you guys

Thanks for all your help and support. Great little community here! Hope to stick around.

Ant

 

[Bigjoe]

Hi Ant,
Ive looked at the blueweld 150 and it looks good,it looks very similar to a Telwin machine (anyone please correct me ) and the MT15 torch is a good reliable i torch as far as i know.

As for learning,be prepared to get singed plenty of times but most of all get loads of scrap and enjoy!!

Joe

 

[weldequip]

It IS a Telwin machine. Same as the Sealey & nowt special.
weldequip