My first metal bender

[jimmypolo]

Hi
So I'm attempting to make a metal bender similar to tonybnmw's design. I've got 3mm steel angle and I'm using 0.6mm wire with gas.
Firstly should I put the 0.8 I have back in the machine (I'm just being a bit lazy cos I've been practicing thin sheet welding up til now)
Secondly I keep tripping the fuse after a short stretch of weld?
Any thoughts on what might be causing the fuse to trip? If I put the thicker wire in would in help or do I need an electrician to beef up the consumer unit?
Cheers Jim

 

[jimmypolo]

It's a parweld 171

 

[BrokenBiker]

On 3mm, you will waste a bit of wire using the 0.6 compared to the 0.8, but I'd still expect to be able to get good welds with the right technique, but the 0.8mm would be my preferred choice. I only used 0.6 for body work and I dont bother with that anymore, its either 0.8 solid or 0.9 flux core now and thats all I use for everything.

As for the fuse, you may find putting the 0.8mm on stops that happening, it may not. I take from the photo you are on voltage setting 4 of 6 on a 170amp machine? It could be as simple as at that setting, its drawing too much current for your supply. Is it a dedicated supply for the welder or are there other things running off it?

I have been fortunate enough to never trip a breaker with a welder...I have run my mig flat out on 2 max and right at the top of the wire speed for that setting on a 50 meter extension lead with a 13amp plug top and never managed to trip a fuse, and my tig runs off the same lead at a guaranteed 200 amps quite often as I like practicing on 5mm plate.

 

[jimmypolo]

The welder is the only thing on that fuse. It goes through a blue 16a plug (like 110v plugs but blue) I'll swap the wire for 0.8 and see if that helps.
I have been using 0.6 on the thinner sheet and it's a lot easier to get decent welds.
As for electricity. I used to climb trees doing power line clearance so I've done some electrical safety courses. The main thing I learned was not to mess with electricity so I have a blind spot when it comes to volts and amps etc. They're the things that kill you?! Not chainsaws or falling out of trees obviously

 

[jo1010]

Because of inrush current from the striking arc replace the B type MCB with C type. And maybe check your cabling in the entire run from the MCB is man enough

 

[BrokenBiker]

The welder is the only thing on that fuse. It goes through a blue 16a plug (like 110v plugs but blue) I'll swap the wire for 0.8 and see if that helps.
I have been using 0.6 on the thinner sheet and it's a lot easier to get decent welds.
As for electricity. I used to climb trees doing power line clearance so I've done some electrical safety courses. The main thing I learned was not to mess with electricity so I have a blind spot when it comes to volts and amps etc. They're the things that kill you?! Not chainsaws or falling out of trees obviously

The 0.6 is better on thinner stuff as it cant carry as much current, so a given setting with 0.6 will likely be cooler than the same setting with 0.8.

As suggested above if thats the only item on that supply, change for a c type MCB

 

[jimmypolo]

C type MCB on its way and I'll pull my finger out and change the wire.
Cheers all