Draper 08165 or similar

[Fozzie Bear]

Hi, This is my first post on the forum but suspect it wont be my last.
I am looking for a reasonably priced (circa £200) MIG welder for thin sheet (45 Gallon oil drums etc) I can't afford a PortaMIG and ideally wanted a gasless model as it will not be in regular use. I also have an arc welder which I use for thicker materials so dont need a MIG with a higher current rating.
A lot of forum members recommend the Clarke Pro 90 but that is a Gas only welder. The Draper is one of the only sub 30 amp gasless welders I can find with four current settings and a known brand name.

Does anyone have any experience of this model, which I understand are made in Italy, or can you recommend another make with a 25 amp rating?

Alternatively if I took members advice and went for the Clarke how long does a standard disposable cylinder last for using 0.6mm wire?

Fozzie

 

[keith19]

Welcome to the forum, Fozzie.

Don't think I've seen many gasless welders that go down to 25 amps; would be nice.

There are some gas/gasless models around a top limit of 90 - 150 amps that might do the job, but it requires quite a bit of practice to use gasless on thin sheet. Will you be working mostly outdoors?

I've welded up old oil drums for barbies with gasless, but the thinnest new metal being used was around 1.2 - 1.6 mm, so not too bad. Thinner stuff we might have struggled with if replacing, say, a large flat area, because most likely the thin metal technique using a series of spaced tack or stitch welds would have to be used. Possible, but time-consuming.

If you can work mostly inside, gas-shielded would be quicker and neater. Do you mean a standard Halfords type disposable cylinder? About 7 - 12 minutes welding, and often waste gas if you don't nip them off when you stop actually welding for a few minutes. Not worth using except for that special job.

 

[Fozzie Bear]

Welcome to the forum, Fozzie.

Don't think I've seen many gasless welders that go down to 25 amps; would be nice.

There are some gas/gasless models around a top limit of 90 - 150 amps that might do the job, but it requires quite a bit of practice to use gasless on thin sheet. Will you be working mostly outdoors? .

You have sussed me . I'm making a batch of BBQs for our village organisations so will mainly be outside, but under normal circumstances I will use it in my workshop

I've welded up old oil drums for barbies with gasless, but the thinnest new metal being used was around 1.2 - 1.6 mm, so not too bad.

These are brand new drums from the local garage so should be the same as above.

Do you mean a standard Halfords type disposable cylinder? About 7 - 12 minutes welding, and often waste gas if you don't nip them off when you stop actually welding for a few minutes. Not worth using except for that special job.

Yes I think they are the cylinders. I have read the post on this forum which lists other sources of Co2 including pub gas which is a good idea. I gave up my oxy-acetylene kit because of the rental cost so don't want to rent another cylinder from BOC. Do you have any tips for sources of larger disposable cartridges?
Again many thank for the info.
Fozzie

 

[keith19]

Well, apart from your friendly village pub landlord (or his suppliers if they're local), have a look through the gas suppliers lists on here to see if there's anyone does gas near you, in decent-sized bottles. Co2 is fine for jobs that don't need to look too neat, like barbie drums, but it's a bit harsher than Argon/Co2 mix, and spatters a bit more. I recall there's some kinds of pub Co2 you have to avoid, so do a search on here before you start so you can be totally clued-up.

We had no trouble welding up the barbie drums with gasless outside, except that my mate's SIP gasless ran out of breath halfway through the first drum, so I had to go get my Clarke to help complete the job!

 

[gavuk]

If you go down the pub gas route make sure its 100% co2....there is a mix used in pubs which contains nitrogen....i would suggest you try a co2 disposable before commiting yourself,they last a lot longer than argon/mix disposable ,sure 50-60minhas been quoted, co2 issold as a liquid not a gas ....
you will need a hose and reg £40 ish and a bottle normally £15 for pub gas .....landlords ,bar suppliers are best bet