New to welding, need help on selection please.

[EddieMunster]

So would i need to put bigger fuse than 13amp in the plug, if so, which one? or would i need some extra equipment, if so, which equipment would i need?

EDIT: & which stick welder would you guys recommend?

 

[Richard.]

2.5's and in a lot of cases 3.2's will burn from a 3pin without too much issue.
It's all I have to use.

 

[Richard.]

So would i need to put bigger fuse than 13amp in the plug, if so, which one? or would i need some extra equipment, if so, which equipment would i need?

EDIT: & which stick welder would you guys recommend?

No you do NOT put a bigger rated fuse in the plug.

 

[cumbriasteve]

.In this case you must be only welding at a fairly low amperage

I was welding well above the power required for the sorts of projects the op is considering and have never yet blown a fuse.

 

[EddieMunster]

Ok so I've been looking at just arc welders that max out at 130amp so they can, without question, run on a UK home socket, I still need help with making the right choice. I honestly haven't got a clue when it comes to welding.

I noticed this on amazon, and was wondering if this is a good one?

GYS GYSMI 130P 130A MMA/ Arc and Stick Welder made in France
"Advanced technology inverter welder suitable for steel, stainless steel and cast iron electrodes up to 3.2 diameter"

https://www.amazon.co.uk/GYS-GYSMI-...=1466036217&sr=8-1&keywords=130amp+arc+welder

 

[mpats]

Bear in mind that the bloke was attacking a COMPOSITE toe'd boot with the intention of going through it, not as others have said as a glancing blow by doing something silly. Your main PPE should never be used, if it is it's a last resort and current saw safety clothing is designed to work very well. I'd say I'm very glad to never have had to try it but I know someone who managed to test his leggings and they worked very well as was with no steel plates added.

On the welder front, I've got a 170 or 180 amp (silly foggy brain is refusing to cooperate and remember which) inverter stick welder which works perfectly well from a 13 amp supply, burning up to to 3.2's quite happily. I think mine was £200something from my local welding shop, and bought because I needed it that day after the old buzzbox went fut. I won't lie, stick was a bit trickier to pick up than mig, but the forum is very, very helpful and once you get the hang of it it's very enjoyable (well, I enjoy it but then I'm odd).

 

[EddieMunster]

So according to this Irishman, even just using a 100amp is fine, and he recommends this for plug and play on a UK house socket.

The job looks decent enough and also looks like all i need.

 

[mpats]

I learned with a buzzbox and it was fine, but the difference when moving onto an inverter was quite noticeable. A lot easier. As said, I can go above 100amps on a normal 13amp supply with the inverter. Also a noticeable improvement on the duty cycle.
However, a buzzbox will be nice and cheap.

 

[Bill Edwards]

You're better off going bigger rather than smaller actually as it should give a more powerful machine that'll not be working as hard for the work you will do and should have a better duty cycle for your work.
As to not blowing fuses you just don't turn it up as high, it's that simple. A 200a inverter won't trip a fuse when running at 100 amps any more than a 100 amp machine would.

You can normally get 140-150 amps off a 13a fuse unless your supply is very poor. The most you really need for a 3.2mm rod is about 120 amps, and you can do all the work you want with a 2.5mm rod at 80 amps - so power isn't your problem for a stick welder.

Will you be using it indoors? If so MIG is worth considering as it is more practical on thin stuff.

GYS are well regarded on here, as is this Parweld unit http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm