Newbie 13amp question

[keith19]

With all respect to Wellyweld, you won't anywhere need 160 amps to weld 16swg, which is only about 1.6mm.

It's nice to have a machine with a bit in reserve though, as you may need your 150 amps for brackets and the like.

One thing you need to check out is how far are you going to be running your power supply from the flats? If it's from a ground floor across a yard it shouldn't be a problem. But if it's plugged in three floors up and dangled out of a window or run down stairs, you are going to need as thick a cable as you can manage to avoid volt drop. 2.5 mm cross-section cable is about the biggest you can fit to a 13 amp plug. That's the blue arctic cable used on caravan sites, etc.

 

[wellyweld]

Apologies to Keith 19, he is entirely correct, I missed the comment about 16g material & was looking at an earlier post re thickness to be welded. Yes I would concur the smaller units are fine although most have pretty low duty cycles but if it's a DIY job this shouldn't present too much of a problem.At the risk of sounding to salesmanish & I don't know how they compare on price the Redline 150 has been a very reliable little unit for us with plenty of sales & zero faults so far.

 

[Padstar]

Managed to gain access into the landlords cupboard yesterday and have a look at the DB :-)

20amp breaker for the external sockets. So i guess this will run a 150amp machine no probs? Its on a flick breaker so even if it does go it will be no issue.

Are the previously mentioned units still the best to go for. I know its ot huge by anyones standards but i have set myself a £200 budget. With a machine mart VAT free day that will buy most of their 150amp machines. Does anyone know anywhere doing deals at the moment of places that sell machines that are better than MM (are MM machines good quality? I have never had issues with any of their stuff before.)

Recieved my catalogue from MM over the weekend but had no promotion or VAT free day info in there which i was dissapointed with as i spend a few quid in there. ANyone got a voucher they are not using?

 

[stuvy]

keep an eye on ebay/preloved/gumtree as you can get nearly new welders for good money on there.

As for the voucher when i get one emailed through if you still need it il pm it over to you

 

[rich r]

The thing that tends to cause breakers to trip when welding is the sudden surge of current. Standard household MCBs are usually Class B - hence the 20A breaker you saw is probably marked B20. For welding, often a Class C one is better as it is a little less likely to trip as soon as you start welding.

Having said that - I'm pulling the full 16A through a B16 rated MCB in my garage, arc welding with 4mm rods (at 160A), and only trip it once in every 5 times I strike the arc...

 

[Padstar]

Hi guys. I am now on the market for a gassless mig welder. I was looking at the machine mart machines http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/010110125 but then stumbled across these which are about £50 cheaper.

Is there any reason why they wouldnt be as good or better (higher capacity units than the MM ones).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271023082248?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280917785862?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

If you think these units are as good then is there any benefit in going for the 195 unit or will the 155 unit be sufficient?

 

[octo0072000]

Hi guys. I am now on the market for a gassless mig welder. I was looking at the machine mart machines http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/010110125 but then stumbled across these which are about £50 cheaper.

Is there any reason why they wouldnt be as good or better (higher capacity units than the MM ones).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271023082248?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280917785862?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

If you think these units are as good then is there any benefit in going for the 195 unit or will the 155 unit be sufficient?

well there both located in Holland so repairs and returns will be a bit of a problem i would have thought.
neither much good for car work 40amp min

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi guys. I am now on the market for a gassless mig welder. I was looking at the machine mart machines http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/010110125 but then stumbled across these which are about £50 cheaper.

Is there any reason why they wouldnt be as good or better (higher capacity units than the MM ones).

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271023082248?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

or

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/280917785862?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

If you think these units are as good then is there any benefit in going for the 195 unit or will the 155 unit be sufficient?

Why suddenly gasless? Is it due to having to work outdoors?
I wouldn't buy any of those machines tbh, one is made by Wolf and the other two by Giant, all come from China.
If you HAVE to buy one, get the Chinese Clarke, at least you'll get decent backup and spares will be available should they be needed.
Personally I'd save a bit longer and get something better or keep an eye on the for sale section on here, some cracking machines appear from time to time.
Don't rush in and buy something that looks good on paper, it may turn out to be a complete waste of money.

 

[Padstar]

I went down to machine mart today to purchase this http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/010110125

On the advise given I had planned to stick a plug on it and run off my standard plug as discussed previously. The guy in there was sure it must be hard wired and could not run from a plug.

Do any of you have this unit and have run from a plug or are you sure it would be ok from a plug (they are non refundable). If not the largest unit they have that runs off a plug is a 130amp (another 70 quid). Would this cover what I need it for 16swg.

 

[madkayaker]

At its lower settings it will work on a 13amp plug. The staff in machinemart don't know what there talking about most of the time

 

[Wozzaaah]

What MK says! ^
Just put a plug on it and get !


Edit: You do realise it's only 135A, not 145 despite the model name?

 

[Padstar]

How much of a lower setting? I don't want to do £150 and only be able to use on its lowest settings. But if it will work for the majority of its range then I will go for it.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Wozzaaah]

It's only 135A!! Despite what MM say, you should be able to run it flat out.

 

[madkayaker]

A run a 160amp mig on 13amp and in three years have blown 4 fuses

 

[Wozzaaah]

I can beat that....my 220A Butters mig has a 13A plug fitted!
Admittedly it does tend blow the fuse during long welds at it's upper settings but fuses are cheap.

 

[madkayaker]

My 350a only has a 16 plug bug it is three phase!

 

[Padstar]

Ok so the genarl view is that MM talk from the book but in reality sticking a 13amp plug on the end will be fine.

Thanks for the help I will pick it up during the week and c how it goes. Fingers X'd

 

[madkayaker]

General rule is 130A will run all day every day on 13Amp fuse. But many of us run bigger mig's on 13amp and live with occasional fuse replacement especially if full power gets used occasionally. Yours will run very well. However don't go replacing fuses with 6mm bolts as that's just stupid!

 

[Padstar]

Cheers guys. I am sure I can live with a few replacement fuses.