Hi gents,
New to the forum. As I've never so much as touched a welding torch before, I hope you'll forgive me if my first post is a question rather than something more useful to others.
I make furniture as a hobby and I'm interesting in learning how to combine different materials together in my work. An idea for a new table design had me begin to research metal fabrication and ultimately, welding. After going through the various possibilities, due to the thickness of steel I want to work with, I decided MIG was probably the best to start with, mostly due to the apparently gentle learning curve.
I need a MIG welding unit that is capable of structural welds on 6mm mild steel. I'll be working with RSJ/ibeam, box and c sections. I'm unsure of the exact specification of the steel as yet, but from my understanding that would influence more the choice of wire than the welding unit itself.
From reading around I think I'm looking at a unit of between 160 and 180 amps. I have a 16A supply available to me.
What concerns me most is ensuring that I can get a well made unit with a decent but perhaps not professional level duty cycle profile.
Budget is adjustable. As this isn't my primary discipline I don't need a professional grade machine capable of being used day in, day out, just something solid and reliable with decent warranty backup. I'd prefer something physically made in the UK, Europe or USA.
It has to be relatively easy to use if at all possible, any more than two or three buttons and I start to get lost when it's something new.
I'd really appreciate any suggestions you may have.
Thanks,
Martin
New to the forum. As I've never so much as touched a welding torch before, I hope you'll forgive me if my first post is a question rather than something more useful to others.
I make furniture as a hobby and I'm interesting in learning how to combine different materials together in my work. An idea for a new table design had me begin to research metal fabrication and ultimately, welding. After going through the various possibilities, due to the thickness of steel I want to work with, I decided MIG was probably the best to start with, mostly due to the apparently gentle learning curve.
I need a MIG welding unit that is capable of structural welds on 6mm mild steel. I'll be working with RSJ/ibeam, box and c sections. I'm unsure of the exact specification of the steel as yet, but from my understanding that would influence more the choice of wire than the welding unit itself.
From reading around I think I'm looking at a unit of between 160 and 180 amps. I have a 16A supply available to me.
What concerns me most is ensuring that I can get a well made unit with a decent but perhaps not professional level duty cycle profile.
Budget is adjustable. As this isn't my primary discipline I don't need a professional grade machine capable of being used day in, day out, just something solid and reliable with decent warranty backup. I'd prefer something physically made in the UK, Europe or USA.
It has to be relatively easy to use if at all possible, any more than two or three buttons and I start to get lost when it's something new.
I'd really appreciate any suggestions you may have.
Thanks,
Martin