Stevolution
New Member
- Messages
- 7
- Location
- Wiltshire
Hello all. Been reading through the very helpful tips on this site.
Arc welding to date.... time to switch to MIG.
Got a Clarke MIG151EN welder in the basket (seems good price, and it will run on my workshop electric).
Want to try and get a grip with all kinds of materials.... mild steel, then aluminium and finally Stainless.
So, thrown some 0.6mm and 0.8mm steel wire in the basket, and some 0.8mm wire for the aluminium (leave the stainless for now).
Questions...
I want to convert to gas from the get-go, and plan to get a dual gauge off Amazon (or somewhere similar). Side entry (does the entry point matter?), 5/8" bottle connection. Not sure what the outlet size is (3/8"?)
Therefore, I have found the Clarke 3/8" hose to connect to that.
Where is the best place to obtain the gas? I imagine just a Google and a phone around.
Planning to go with ArgoShield light gas bottle, but will that work for Aluminium? I understand pure Argon is better for Aluminium, but I don't really want to shell out for two tanks of gas at the start.
Life of the tips? Worth getting spares I assume
Life of a 5kg roll of welding wire? Probably long enough for me to start playing around I imagine.
New auto-dimming helmet, apron + gloves. Have I missed anything?
A few new wire brushes I imagine will be needed as well.
Any advice gratefully received!
Steve
Arc welding to date.... time to switch to MIG.
Got a Clarke MIG151EN welder in the basket (seems good price, and it will run on my workshop electric).
Want to try and get a grip with all kinds of materials.... mild steel, then aluminium and finally Stainless.
So, thrown some 0.6mm and 0.8mm steel wire in the basket, and some 0.8mm wire for the aluminium (leave the stainless for now).
Questions...
I want to convert to gas from the get-go, and plan to get a dual gauge off Amazon (or somewhere similar). Side entry (does the entry point matter?), 5/8" bottle connection. Not sure what the outlet size is (3/8"?)
Therefore, I have found the Clarke 3/8" hose to connect to that.
Where is the best place to obtain the gas? I imagine just a Google and a phone around.
Planning to go with ArgoShield light gas bottle, but will that work for Aluminium? I understand pure Argon is better for Aluminium, but I don't really want to shell out for two tanks of gas at the start.
Life of the tips? Worth getting spares I assume
Life of a 5kg roll of welding wire? Probably long enough for me to start playing around I imagine.
New auto-dimming helmet, apron + gloves. Have I missed anything?
A few new wire brushes I imagine will be needed as well.
Any advice gratefully received!
Steve