Looking to buy first welder

[L2wis]

Anyone close to L2wis (Leicestershire) who could give him a shot on MIG or ARC?

That would be really cool. This is one of the inverter arcs I've spotted but not sure about it on a 13 amp domestic plug

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=262054457827&alt=web

There is a 80 amp version too but I'm thinking that might be too limiting. I'm gutted I missed out on a cheap £30 sip.

 

[skotl]

That would be really cool. This is one of the inverter arcs I've spotted but not sure about it on a 13 amp domestic plug

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=262054457827&alt=web

There is a 80 amp version too but I'm thinking that might be too limiting. I'm gutted I missed out on a cheap £30 sip.

I reckon that would be fine on a 13A plug for the majority of its range.
No clue about the actual machine but it seems a heck of a price for an inverter arc.

 

[L2wis]

I though it looked good from the price too. I know the reputation Silverline come with but they backup the welder with a three year warranty on their products and although the seller says they sell returned or opened boxed products the manufacturer warranty shouldn't be affected. I thought maybe I would be okay on lower power settings but wanted to check general opinion on here.

Maybe I should go for it?

 

[skotl]

I think that arc/stick has a lot going for it; no expensive gas to fart around with, no concerns with using it outside / in the wind (unlike MIG) and you can layer weld upon weld more easily than MIG or TIG. I never really got into it but, the few times I've used my inverter in stick mode (because I ran out of wire or gas) it's performed great.

So I'd definitely consider stick generally and, at that price, you're going to get nowhere near with MIG once you include the gas.

Three year warranty? Yep - it's a thumbs-up from me (but I still don't know much about arc welders!).

 

[L2wis]

Yeah I think it ticks all the boxes for my requirements!

Here is a link to the silverline product page:
http://www.silverlinetools.com/en-GB/Products/Mechanical Engineering/Welding/103047

 

[skotl]

Yeah I think it ticks all the boxes for my requirements!

Here is a link to the silverline product page:
http://www.silverlinetools.com/en-GB/Products/Mechanical Engineering/Welding/103047

I like that the say it's "scratch start" - is there another way to start a stick weld?

Duty cycle is **** at 160A (20%) but what do you expect for £100? 60% at 100A and 100% at 90A seem perfectly reasonable for a hobby welder.

 

[ronan]

I've been welding years and its usually been Tig, either dc on steel and stainless steel, or ac on aluminium (or zinc crap pretending to be aluminium ), or Stick welding (mma). I got coded on the tig, mig and mma, but at work and at home its usually either the tig for light stuff or mma for thicker material. If i were you, i'd go for a stick welder first. Ask around, people buy welders intending to do all sorts with them and they end up gathering dust in sheds, and maybe for sale for not much money.

 

[L2wis]

I don't ever see me needing to use full power at 160 amps either so I think I might go for it!

Thanks for your input guys it's greatly appreciated! I've gone for that silverline off ebay, I'll be sure to logon to the silverline website when it arrives to register it for it's warranty! I read that 3.2mm rods were easier to learn with so I'm going to look for some of them and some 2.5mm's. Along with plenty of 13 amp fuses!!!

Something like this is going to be my first project!

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-projects/Pages/metal-welding-table-detail.aspx

 

[ronan]

Is there no one you know who might give you a demonstration ? Its the best way to learn, having someone who knows what they are doing looking over your shoulder and telling you where you are going wrong.

 

[L2wis]

I've got a family friend who's been a fabricator and welder all his life that might help me out if I'm struggling.

 

[L2wis]

Thanks Pdg! Hopefully it will all work out okay! Once I've got it and had a play I'll be sure to upload some pics and of my projects

 

[L2wis]

I managed to get my hands on some scraps today so I fired up my new welder for the first time!!

I was using the electrodes that came with the unit so wasn't 100% sure on each electrodes thickness so winged it a bit! My auto darkening mask hasn't arrived yet either so I was using the handheld one that came with the unit, okay enough excuses Haha.

 

[skotl]

That's much better than any stick welding I've done - good work

Not much penetration going on in the bottom pic, I think. Perhaps not enough amps, or you're going too quickly?

 

[L2wis]

Thanks , Probably both in terms of amps and speed, I didn't go past 120amps and I think one of the electrodes was 4mm? The welder came with one of each diameter but what they were i don't know. They're little stubs now!!

Next plan is to get some 3.2mm electrodes and then an angle grinder and appropriate discs for cutting, grinding and polishing.

For now though I'll keep practising

 

[L2wis]

Yep it did haha! There was no indication as to what each one was, I've still got one or two of the smallest ones I think. I'm looking to buy some new rods today and not sure on where is best to get them from, seen some cheap on ebay and amazon. Think these cheapies will be okay for a noob/hobby usage?

Super 6 rods:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0075X5Q...m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=1QDRZJCTTB1BGRXTM2Q9

 

[Tom Orrow L]

Super 6? I'd avoid them as they vary significatly depending on batch.
Look around for either Bohler, Oerlikon, Murex, ESAB or Lincoln.. A well known name brand rod makes everything a lot easier.

 

[L2wis]

Evening chaps! I'd a bit more welding this evening with my screwfix electrodes. I think I had the power a bit too high at 120amps so will try again soon at 100-110. The slag was really baked on so I didn't get it totally off got the pics.