New welder

[buster123]

Hi all,
I'm considering making/welding a roof structure to accept a panel sandwich roof and will need to be strong enough to walk on if needed. My only experience of welding is whilst at school using oxytetracycline 40yrs ago..

I've had some very high quotes to do the job and to be honest they don't give me much confidence. So I'm considering doing it myself.
I'm considering to try stick welding but have no experience but I'm pretty good at learing new things (generally..)

What type of welder will be suitable for say 2mm and 3mm wall box section?
This will probably be a one off job so I don't want to spend a fortune but I want a machine that is capable and fairly easy to use.

What can you recommend for a newbie?

Thanks

 

[chrismac]

I think you should buy a small inverter and give welding a try, or get a loan of a machine and see how you get on before committing to some structural steel work, for all you have to do any cheap 140 amp plus machine will suit your needs.

but your welding needs to be up to scratch before attempting the job I would say.

for a one off do you not have a mate who could lend a hand for a few hours here and there.

Good luck

 

[jo1010]

If 3mm is your maximum thickness just go for a cheap Clarke mig or similar and use flux core wire. That will be easier than learning stick and you won't have the expense of gas. They won't be neat welds tho and you'll still need practice on scrap beforehand

 

[Mark 2]

Id go with arc. Fluxcore is not for the beginner.

 

[dutch2u2]

I'm with Mark2 on this