Over thinking purchase

[BBD]

I'm going to build a trailer and decided to buy an stick welder most of the metal will be 3 mm thick with a couple of pieces 5 mm, nothing thinner.

I'm terrible when it comes to making purchases, I get talked into going way over the top very easy, like a kid in a toyshop.

I'm looking to spend around £100, £200 at a push, also want to get one of those auto dimming helmets, so around that price I keep coming back to Clarke.

Going to be running it on 13 amp socket but there seems to be loads of clarkes

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/search/filter/arc erlders/type/any/page/1

but questions I've got are: Is it any easier to use a better machine? ie to start the arc, keep it going etc, as I don't mind spending a little extra if it means I can save time on learning. Are the results from some stick welders better than others?

I need to learn as quick as possible, as I need to build a trailer over the next month. I'd rather practice loads to do it right first time, time isn't a real issue.

But is there any benefit in spending £200 on the arc welder and get something like:

http://www.unitedwelding.co.uk/thermal-arc-175se-240volt-176-p.asp
or
http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm

If the results are the same I'm guessing I'd be better off with the Clarke and save a few quid.


But like I said I'm easily persuaded, you could talk me into spending £500 but I really don't want to.


Would like to make purchase today, but I'm struggling...

 

[BrokenBiker]

as i have said in your other post, i have the xti and it is a very good welder. Easy to start the arc, smooth and stable on every rod ive tried with it, and the tig function is quite good too

 

[reedx]

The inverter based welders are also much smaller and lighter, so easier to store and transport.

Colin

 

[daleyd]

If you have the money and your in a hurry to get started (and have never welded before) I'd agree with brokenbiker, the inverters are very easy to use and have a lot of features you don't find on a cheapy buzz box that are a godsend to a new welder. (Arc force, anti stick etc)

That's not to say you can't produce decent welds with a buzz box, but it's just going to be easier with a decent inverter. They both have their pros and cons, ie the transformer type have very little to go wrong etc, whereas the inverter types have more electronics in them. (Though if you buy a decent make from a decent supplier try should see you right should the worst happen) again it's not to say they are unreliable, just that there is more to go wrong.

The inverter types are a lot lighter and portable as well. £200 should get you a good one like the parweld mentioned above, a cheapy auto helmet (£40)and a set of rods and your good to go.(assuming you have some heavy gloves and general ppe already)

 

[BrokenBiker]

i wear heavy duty garden gloves when im stick welding, easier to get the rods into the holder i find. Apart from that either a good set of flameproof overalls or cotton jumper to protect from the arc. Don't wear anything synthetic, it melts to your skin

 

[BBD]

Thanks...

Obviously if it saves me hours on learning I can justify the extra. I do have gloves etc but will probably just get another pair of gloves with better wrist protection.

I'm thinking about getting a load of 2.5 and 3.0 electrodes but assume I'll use mostly 2.5 on 3mm steel.

 

[BrokenBiker]

to be honest you don't need 3.2mm rods. I use 2.5 rods on everything up to 5-6mm unless stated otherwise for a drawing or whatever.

 

[BBD]

i wear heavy duty garden gloves when im stick welding, easier to get the rods into the holder i find. Apart from that either a good set of flameproof overalls or cotton jumper to protect from the arc. Don't wear anything synthetic, it melts to your skin

good call about the overalls, been meaning to buy some for ages, will stop wifey shouting at me when I get covered in paint, glue, oil, brake dust, etc..

 

[daleyd]

good call about the overalls, been meaning to buy some for ages, will stop wifey shouting at me when I get covered in paint, glue, oil, brake dust, etc..

She'll just shout at you for getting your nice new overalls dirty now

 

[BrokenBiker]

don't put them in the washing machine or she will shout at you for breaking it lol

 

[BBD]

Kind of surprised that WeldEquip etc don't do packages for newbies like me, just sent them an email, hope they'll do me a deal fingers crossed.

 

[BBD]

don't put them in the washing machine or she will shout at you for breaking it lol

lol I don't go near it, though I did fix belt on last one... last time I used one I shrank a really nice polo shirt... "someone" never said the thermostat wasn't working.

 

[God mode restorations]

i would go with the inverter if your budget allows for it...as brokenbiker said you get arc force and anti stick...they are small and light and very powerful for the size....

 

[BrokenBiker]

if you are looking for anything else to add to the inverter i would get some longer leads. At least 3M really, i found the 1.5M leads too short and had to keep moving the machine, which is fine until it reaches the end of its power cable

 

[God mode restorations]

haha...i no exactly what you mean on that one...need to get longer ones for mine....

 

[mrc79]

I wouldn't get a Clarke inverter. I bought one from machinemart and was really disappointed with the quality of the machine and electrode holder so took it back. I ended up getting the parweld 160xti from weldequip and was very impressed with the quality of the machine. I use it for 3mm steel using 2.5mm rods and it produces nice welds.

 

[BrokenBiker]

haha...i no exactly what you mean on that one...need to get longer ones for mine....

I went up 2 sizes for cable csa and put some 10M cables on it, cables don't get hot even when running 4mm rods @ 160 amps, and ive welded for well over the stated 35% duty cycle at full amps too, nothing seems to stop it

 

[Specialist]

I have read your question, and I would advise since you need to take up welding quickly, to buy the nicest inverter you can afford. That alone will help you immensely in getting started right. Other thing to take a look at is a good auto helmet with variable shade. As you practice, you will develop a sense of how to work, how to hold the electrode, and it will become automatic after a time. When you can produce consistent, sound welds that hold up to destructive testing (eg breaking a weld with a hammer should produce cracking and breakage in the base material, not the weld), then you can move on to starting your project. It is better to run a bit too hot, and get better penetration, then to run too cold and not get enough fusion. Practice makes perfect, as with mostly anything. If you have any specific questions, fire away.

 

[baconbarm]

From personal experience, I can recommend the thermalarc that you pasted earlier.

http://www.unitedwelding.co.uk/thermal-arc-175se-240volt-176-p.asp

Other decent brand inverters are probably just as good, but ive owned one of these for 6 months or so and I can say its a cracking little machine.

 

[BBD]

Thanks guys...

I've decided on an inverter, was trying to buy the itx today, but kind of ran out of time, and Steve at WeldEquip suggested SWP 3037 helmet
http://www.weldequip.com/swp-3037-helmet.htm

which he says accepts the magnification lens... (are the magnification lenses any good?) he's waiting on stock on that one.

will the 2.5mm electrodes weld the 5mm steel okay, everything I've come across suggests it is...

Been looking at loads of videos, looks so easy lol bet I'm in for a shock.