Hello from a newbie in Manchester!

[Longview13082]

Hi all,

A big hello from South Manchester.

I received an Impax 120 MIG/MMA welder for my birthday and thought it's about time I learned how to weld..

We have an old Talbot Express motorhome, so I'll have plenty to practice on!

I've been watching lots of videos, and have bought everything I think I need (except HobbyWeld 5, which I'll get on Monday), and am going to have a crack at gasless today with some flux core.

If there is one bit of advice you could give me, what would it be?

Wish me luck!

BW,

Lewis

 

[Puglet1]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
There are guys on here that can help and advise you on anything regarding welding plus almost anything else that you might want assistance with.
It’s the best forum around if you ask me.

 

[Barking Mat]

A warm welcome from another (ex) Mancunian.

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

If there is one bit of advice you could give me, what would it be

I wish I had been told to get a proper gas bottle and a good auto helmet.

My main advice would be to say...if you want help/advice just ask...and post pics which helps.

And welcome of course...it's a good bunch on here.

 

[Longview13082]

First attempt? I think its about 3mm mild steel (I stupidly didn't check), I had this at 80 amps with Screwfix's Impax flux core stuff (0.8mm). This was just two short box sections.

Second attempt was bad, I blew straight through it!

I then did lots of different flat(?) welds across the section, and varied the amps from 60 (top) to 80 (bottom). They are crap, its really hard!

I then tried a corner join before rain stopped play

Maybe I can look back at these photos in a few years!

I did have two main issues, the first was that the wire would just completely melt (spark, then be eaten up and I'd have to feed another half inch through. Second was the opposite, the wire would just feed through too quickly and it would push me away from the join. There is no wire speed on the welder, but I did do the wire on a block of wood test before starting, maybe the feeder is still too loose. I have so many other problems, but it was really nice to finally try it.

BW,

Lewis

 

[Wildefalcon]

Are you cleaning the metal first? Flap disk?

 

[bourbon]

I think that unit is also able to take gas as well. you will need a regulator and obviously the gas. It will run a little cooler and you will be able to weld thinner steel. are you using the 'chicken' mask that came with it? throw that away and get an auto darkening mask. believe me. it will help

 

[addjunkie]

This may inspire you……

Thread 'Project Talbot (not so) express'

Sep 12, 2024

oreyt
got meself another 'project'
the mrs really fancied a campervan and I have always liked the idea of having one n all so we started looking a few months ago with a budget of 4 grand.

Wanted summet that's not cramped but not massive as it's our first campervan so I wanted it to be useable in carparks, fit on the driveway etc. Started looked at citroen c15s but as cool as they are, for less money you can have much more space.

So we started looking at Talbot expresseses. We both fancied something retro and a bit of a dooer upper. I wanted the inside to be in good condition but the...

• Danez
• Replies: 83
• forum: Automotive, Bike & Trailer Build discussions

• 

 

[drjim]

Welcome to the forum, I'm also S Manchester. Not actually used my MIG for many years, so not much use for advice other than to say practice a lot before trying the real thing, and the rust holes will always be (much) bigger than you think so invest in plenty of grinder discs! Good luck with the project.

 

[tom2207]

Welcome to the forum ,,, best bit of advice ,,, quit now .

oops too late youve started ,, lol ...
see if someone local will let you do half a day with them , you will gain a lot of knowledge in half a day under someone's supervision.

 

[tom2207]

oh , and if your on your own learning ,,,, get a fire extinguisher or two and or a bucket of water or a garden sprayer for water ,,,, sparks can really get out of hand very quickly especially if you have no one fire watching for you.

 

[Longview13082]

I think that unit is also able to take gas as well. you will need a regulator and obviously the gas. It will run a little cooler and you will be able to weld thinner steel. are you using the 'chicken' mask that came with it? throw that away and get an auto darkening mask. believe me. it will help

First thing I did was get a Parweld mask as the other one that it came with was naff! I think I've spent £350(!!!) quid on safety equipment/discs etc/table/2 grinders and I am getting gas+reg+tubing on Tuesday from JRTraders of S. Manc, thanks for the advice! I now need to get a fire extinguisher and bucket of sand, as I had forgotten about that!

 

[Longview13082]

This may inspire you……

Thread 'Project Talbot (not so) express'

Sep 12, 2024

oreyt
got meself another 'project'
the mrs really fancied a campervan and I have always liked the idea of having one n all so we started looking a few months ago with a budget of 4 grand.

Wanted summet that's not cramped but not massive as it's our first campervan so I wanted it to be useable in carparks, fit on the driveway etc. Started looked at citroen c15s but as cool as they are, for less money you can have much more space.

So we started looking at Talbot expresseses. We both fancied something retro and a bit of a dooer upper. I wanted the inside to be in good condition but the...

• Danez
• Replies: 83
• forum: Automotive, Bike & Trailer Build discussions

• 

Awesome!!!

 

[Longview13082]

Are you cleaning the metal first? Flap disk?

I actually didn't flap disc it beforehand, so assume some of the crappy welds may also be due to the mill scale? I think I was also going waayyy too fast as was worried of blow through. Hopefully the gas will help with that. Given that I live in Manchester, I'll probably have to invest in some big tarp/welding cover so that I can weld with gas outdoors!

 

[tom2207]

I actually didn't flap disc it beforehand, so assume some of the crappy welds may also be due to the mill scale? I think I was also going waayyy too fast as was worried of blow through. Hopefully the gas will help with that. Given that I live in Manchester, I'll probably have to invest in some big tarp/welding cover so that I can weld with gas outdoors!

get some other bits of steel , thick , thin whatever ,,,, ad burn through a few ,, learn the sound and the feel of burning through and see how the puddle drops , burning through when your learning is all part of the process ,,, better to learn what a good hot puddle looks like than to have a plate of welds that looks like a caterpillar farm,;

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

For working on cars a power file is worth considering....lot of us on here have the B&D which looks very diy but its very good.