Hi All.

[Rusty]

Recently signed up here after finding this a really interesting site.
Started my working life [ 16 yrs old ] as a sheet metal worker this was mostly gas welding plus some arc and later tig for ally and stainless.We used to make guards to cover the moving parts on printing machines plus the ink trays [ tig ] then silver soldered to stop possible leaks,I left after my apprenticeship finished and having an interest in cars continued with my skills working for local garages on things like a Jag XK 150 rebuild plus any M.O.T failure welding.I then built a garage at the end of my garden and used to rebuild m.o.t failure mini's [ plenty of welding there !] I decided to change from gas to MIG after careful consideration and boy did I struggle !!
It took me ages to get used to MIG after many years with gas but now I wouldn't be without it.
I still do some work in the garage but now work for an agency at a local car import centre where I fit audio, DVD systems ,parking sensors ,etc,etc to the new cars basically preparing the cars for the dealers at the customers spec.
Thanks to Weldequip who's helped with problems I have been having with my Nu MIG welder [ NOT recommended ! ]

 

[malcolm]

Hi Rusty,

Sorry to hear about the Nu MIG problems elsewhere on the site. Hope it gets sorted (though it was starting to sound like a bin it and start again job if they won't provide support).

What was it about MIG that you prefer over your oxy kit? Just the ease of use with the one handed operation and lower heat input?

 

[Rusty]

Hi malcolm,yes,shame about the Nu Mig i only did an Astra gte rebuild and it stopped working ! Still it is crappy quality.I also have an old sip migmate 100 which i have kept as a spare and this is much smoother to use.
I used oxy/acet for years and it is very handy for all sorts of jobs including welding / brazing of course, but i had full size bottles with the associated rental costs plus the safety issues to consider also with gas the torch is just left burning away when your working and you need to be so careful where you rest it ! i could tell you some stories about near fires and explosions !
Surprisingly although i have been welding on and off for years i did struggle with the mig at first but when i realised the importance of accurate power / wire speed setting my welding improved.
Also less distortion, single handed welding, which leaves the the other hand to hold panels etc, no ' wandering ' flame to worry about !, plus just a single half size gas bottle.
Thanks for your interest.

rusty.