Newbie from UK

[Rust Warrior]

Hi all,

I'm just dropping in here, having just signed up to the forums. I'm in Herefordshire, UK and about to educate myself on how to MIG weld using a gasless MIG welder so I can do some patch welds on my old work van. I've gone totally OTT with the PPE, which is better than the opposite. I'm starting off with the following.

HZXVOGEN MIG145II Gasless MIG Welder (145 amp, hobby-level / starter machine)

Auto-darkening 1/1/1/1 welding mask

Spare Lazer Tools welding googles (back-up / extra protection)

Full fire-retardant head and neck covering

Dickies fire-retardant coveralls

Welding safety gloves

P3 Respirator

Ear plugs

6 feet x 6 feet welding curtain (for splatter and spark containment and to protect neighbours and passers by).

I'm going to be doing plenty of practice welds first, using 1.2mm mild steel sheeting and 0.8mm flux core wire. I've done a fair bit of reading already, and watched a few Youtube videos to get some nuggets of information. I'm sure it will be several practice runs and a few blow-throughs before I get the hang of things. I'm just waiting on the last few bits of PPE and a dry day to get started.

 

[marlinspike]

Welcome to the forum. Welding with gas is so much easier but try gasless and see how you get on. The tutorials on here are good.

 

[Barking Mat]

Welcome to the forum, loads of experience and top advice here.

What kind of van ?

You'll need a grinder.

 

[jonclancy]

Welcome! Good to see you’re taking your PP seriously.

This is a great, friendly place with tons of advice on offer.

 

[Rust Warrior]

Welcome to the forum, loads of experience and top advice here.

What kind of van ?

You'll need a grinder.

I forgot to mention I bought an air-driven grinder (I have a compressor). I've also got a reciprocating saw. It's an old Ford Connect van with rusty rear jacking points.

 

[Rust Warrior]

Welcome! Good to see you’re taking your PP seriously.

This is a great, friendly place with tons of advice on offer.

Thanks. I'm taking absolutely zero shortcuts with PPE. I'd rather overdo it that get burns or arc eye.

 

[Barking Mat]

Thanks. I'm taking absolutely zero shortcuts with PPE. I'd rather overdo it that get burns or arc eye.

Nowt wrong with having a fire extinguisher to hand too.

I work on the principle if you've got one, you hopefully shouldn't need it.

 

[nickk]

Welcome,Herefordshire,home to a lot of fabrication companies.