some help needed please

[Mark_rugby]

hi been reading this site for a couple of months or so, and its been really helpful.


now i'm after some advice. i'm building some stairs

and i'm going to be welding 10mm mild steel brackets onto a 5 inch pipe with a wall diameter of 5mm

my intention is to bevel the edges of the brackets to root weld them, then cap it.

i'll be welding both sides of the brackets

trouble is the only welder i have to hand is a little clarke mig 110

and i'm guessing this wont be up to the job

i've seen this at a good price

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/p...r-inverter/path/plasma-cutters-arctig-welders

along with this.

http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/range/guid/F10B2442-5334-4FC4-9745-373B46C9BA78


i've done a bit of welding, still very much a novice.

my other option is a clarke 160t

i need to run it from a domestic supply, will both of these welders be ok for this?
cheers

 

[runnach]

Hi Mark,

I don't have much experience with small single phase mig machines, but as you already have one to hand, why don't you try an experimental run, as you are going to be welding 10mm to 5mm, dissimilar thickness can always be problematic to a degree!

Do a test piece, then do a destructive test, try to do a 2mm deep hacksaw cut along the weld (I assume fillet welds?) then batter it to death! From here you will be able to see if you have sufficient fusion all round? I would also look at a pre-heat on the 10mm t prior to commencing welding, maybe save you a few bucks at the end of the day?

HTH...........

 

[Hitch]

Your 110a Mig wont be upto it.... it may have enought however, if you weld it uphand. But that may not look very pretty if your inexperienced.....

The stick set would do it, are you okay using stick?

That sort of thickness would usually be around 180amps+

Whats the design of the staircase btw?

 

[zzr1200]

The inverter with 3.25 rods should be fine, root run and capping runs. Just depends on your stick welding?

PS. use -ve electrode=deep penetration

 

[Mark_rugby]

cheers for the advice guys

to be fair i have no idea how i'd be at stick welding (or tig) as i've not tried it.

so it's fair to say whatever i do i'm going to have to put a bit of practice in first

btw: its a central spine stair case.

 

[steve53]

Hi Mark,
Over the past years I have worked for 3 UK welding distributor and the best advice I can give is this:
Before you buy anything from Machine Mart or companies of that ilk (Please be assured I have no axe to grind) talk to a local welding distributor, tell them what you are looking at and ask for a price on 160 or 180 amp inverter and tig torch/MMA leads and regulator. Most good distributors will have demonstration machines, so try before you buy. I have personally used more than 7 different companies for inverter machines and can say that characteristics vary (hence the try before etc). You will probably find that the machine may be a little more expensive than the Clarke but the distributor should be able to better the price on the leads etc. I would not sell any machine to a prospective customer until they had test driven! Good Luck.

 

[irondarren]

I have an inverter fusion unit, which does 200amps on the TIG and 180amps on MMA/Stick, nice unit welds smooth. as steve say there is a big difference in quality of machines, test driving one would be your best bet

 

[Drains]

Mark, I happen to know there is still a brand new Castolin Eutectic 140A Inverter, with lift and pulse tig, going in the region of £300. Look on the "eutectic special offer" thread, and contact G Jones. Be very nice, cos he would be doing you a big, big favour on one of the best quality machines on the market. (list price just under £700)