Can you buy welding supplies from B&Q etc?

[TurboShed]

Stupid question and/or me being lazy, but can you buy supplies such as welding wire and tips, from the likes of B&Q? I've heard you can buy cheap welders in Halfrauds, but do they do proper spools of wire, tips, etc too?

 

[English Steve]

In a word - Yes. Halfords do stock MIG wire, tips, shrouds etc as well as MMA rods. Probably won't be the cheapest or best, but they do sell them. If you have a look on the Halfords web site you will see their range.

 

[TurboShed]

Thanks

 

[wyn]

I saw some welding stuff in B&Q last week.Can't remember exactly what they did, maybe wire, tips for the welder they sell.

I saw they were doing about 5 rods in plastic packaging.....probably asking £5 for them* (didn't look at the price)

I think they are the sort of places you go to when everywhere else is closed at 3 on a sunday afternoon and you have to finish the job you're on that day.

Ah here we are exactly what they supply in the link below. Got to be honest it does look quite handy in an emergency.

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/n...ts&x=19&y=6&fh_start_index=0&ts=1221822292855

 

[fingers99]

Much cheaper stuff (and a bigger range) on eBay, your local welding supplier or Machine Mart, though.

 

[TurboShed]

All the tips and shrouds in the Halfords website seem to be SIP. Do these fit other welders? Mine is a Sealey with a Euro torch.

 

[Luke]

Why not buy a few bits of everything as stock, from someone like Weldequip.

That way you get quality, a decent price, and don't need to rush out and get ripped off at a shop!!!

 

[TurboShed]

Well, having now been to B&Q and Halfrauds, I can confirm that both sell welding wire in 5kg reels, and B&Q also sell shrouds and tips which appear to be compatible with a Euro torch. But I'm no expert!

Personally, I'm keen to find a supplier of gas without rental.

 

[fingers99]

Personally, I'm keen to find a supplier of gas without rental.

Aren't we all. Closest I've found to nowt is Keygas in Wrexham at £2 a month. There are a lot of welding suppliers in Liverpool who will be cheaper than the chain stores: I use John Davies on Waterloo Road (aka the dock road).

 

[TurboShed]

Aren't we all. Closest I've found to nowt is Keygas in Wrexham at £2 a month. There are a lot of welding suppliers in Liverpool who will be cheaper than the chain stores: I use John Davies on Waterloo Road (aka the dock road).

Thanks for the tip, I'll check them out!

 

[knoba]

I'd be wary of anything that B&Q sell other than name branded stuff. It always seems to be imitation/cheap/sub standard goods and can end up ruining a good job.

Ahhh... that feels better!

Better to get gear that's recommended and at least one has "the option" of turning out something decent.

288 x 2.4 x 6013 MMA sticks - £15 (my welding supplier - 0.5p each)
10 x 2.5 x 6013 MMA sticks - £3.50 (halfords - 35.0p each)