Newbie help - new mig setup

[lidgett99]

Hi all.

I am totally new to welding. I'm trying to branch out more, learn more to do more. Anywho, I'm hoping someone can guide me.

I need a welder that will weld 25mm box steel, prob 2mm thick. It's for a bed frame (rock and roll type) and the idea is that I'll be doing a few of these a month. We convert camper and welding is something we leave other people to do but is costing a bit. On top of this I may need to do body work welding however that isn't the priority.

I know I'm not going to be able to do anything amazing to start, but I need to practice, and practice with equipment that I know I can't blame for the shoddy work.

I need everything from scratch, budget around £500 possibly but realistically £300

I'm presuming mig btw, would arc be better? Also a guide to gas or gasless would be nice. It's the bloody cost of the gas I can't get my head around. And I know this site has loads of excellent advice but I just want some specific knowledgeable advice on just this type of thing.

And help would be much appreciated......

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Hi there, you would probably be best off with a small mig of around 150-200a
something like the clarke 160tm is a good light professional machine that is about right and you wont be running it flat out on anything you list but its nice to have a bot of extra oomph where needed
http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/mig160tm-welder

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mig-210-A...ultDomain_3&hash=item1c22d9e362#ht_3882wt_942

the swp might be better as it's a eurotorch machine and a higher duty cycle



will

 

[keith19]

Just a note of caution re the swp. Lowest amps come in at 45A.
This should be okay on your 2mm box, but it will be rather harsh for bodywork (0.8 - 1.2 mm?) if you intend to do that later on.

 

[Lawnmowerboy]

Doh, Didn't read the full specs. we use it at work and the thinnest stuff we've welded is 4mm so dont get under about 120a

Cheapo Co2 would be alright, it isn't as nice as argoshield but does the job well. Have a look in the shielding gas section for the volkszone sticky thread. The Volkszone offer was for another forum but most of the people when signing up to boc then they have just asked for this no probs. Also the regulator that comes with the swp fitd the argon bottle, i'm not sure about the clarke.