Starting Out

[David12]

Hi Guys,
I've retired early am building a workshop and want to make gates and fence panels. I'm planning to use flat bar and box section and probably the largest solid section would be around the 15mm square mark although I would like the flexibility to go a little bigger and do small stuff as well. Is this possible on domestic mains supply and what would be the best power out put MIG welder to get and can anyone recommend a decent make.

I did a bit of oxy/acetylene when I was an apprentice in nineteen canteen but that's my only welding experience so I'm pretty much starting from scratch. Your know how would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum:

I did the same about 5 years ago, worked out a bit too well and ended up being busier than I was before retirement, tried to keep it on a part time basis but requests for fancy gates kept tempting me, in the end I decided I wanted my time for myself so packed in totally apart from some hobby welding to keep amused.

I bought the 235 Portamig and had no problems at all, although of course there are many other equally as good machines but anything less in power may not meet your requirements.

In reality you will require your leccy supply to be upgraded, which is usually no problem for a qualified person.

Although I had the best intentions I never got around to that and ran mine off a normal 13amp plug and even doing short runs on full power never had a blown fuse, this is not the norm however and most machines will pop a fuse once you go over 150amps, some even lower than that.

You could of course use an arc set for your welding, will run off a 13amp plug, cheaper initial outlay but not as fast or as clean to use, not as easy either if you are learning.

 

[the snooper]

just in case you thought arc had an advantage, arc sets will also blow a 13 amp fuse used at high amperage,

 

[cumbriasteve]

just in case you thought arc had an advantage, arc sets will also blow a 13 amp fuse used at high amperage,

True but you should not need to go to a level that blows the fuse, an inverter will run a 3.2 rod at around 100 to 120 amps, which will weld anything the poster has mentioned, a mig would require a fair bit more power to achieve the same.

 

[the snooper]

True but you should not need to go to a level that blows the fuse, an inverter will run a 3.2 rod at around 100 to 120 amps, which will weld anything the poster has mentioned, a mig would require a fair bit more power to achieve the same.

Forgot to mention I was referring to a transformer based machine

 

[BrokenBiker]

if your minimum thickness is about 2mm i would get a stick welder like the parweld xti 160. I have one and its brilliant, although others are available. Any thinner and i would want mig. You are in the same boat as me and i ended up with a mig fir thing and an arc welder for thick. Pretty much the only way to do it for less than a grand

 

[David12]

Welcome to the forum:

Thanks for the responses I'm a bit uncertain where to go now cos of the mig v stick thing. Mig seemed the best option for me because I've read it's relatively easier to learn but there are advantages to stick as well although it's more difficult to achieve a professional standard weld. Decisions, decisions. I always research things to death before I buy tooling cos I've made daft purchases in the past but I have to admit this is a tricky one. I looked at the Portamig and it's within budget can you tell me what gauge of material you were welding with it please.


I did the same about 5 years ago, worked out a bit too well and ended up being busier than I was before retirement, tried to keep it on a part time basis but requests for fancy gates kept tempting me, in the end I decided I wanted my time for myself so packed in totally apart from some hobby welding to keep amused.

I bought the 235 Portamig and had no problems at all, although of course there are many other equally as good machines but anything less in power may not meet your requirements.

In reality you will require your leccy supply to be upgraded, which is usually no problem for a qualified person.

Although I had the best intentions I never got around to that and ran mine off a normal 13amp plug and even doing short runs on full power never had a blown fuse, this is not the norm however and most machines will pop a fuse once you go over 150amps, some even lower than that.

You could of course use an arc set for your welding, will run off a 13amp plug, cheaper initial outlay but not as fast or as clean to use, not as easy either if you are learning.

 

[Jan]

If you can arrange it, it's best to get a sparks in to run a 32 or even 40 amp supply to your workshop. It won't break the bank and will repay the cost in a short time. I've been working on erecting a 'new' (to me) garage/workshop on my back garden for a while and will definitely be going down that route once it's watertight. Fortunately I only have to bridge a gap of under 2 metres to the extra consumer unit in the structure, so the materials costs won't be onerous.

 

[David12]

I've already got armoured cable running underground to the workshop from the house where there's an existing CB for an external supply and I'm getting a sparkie to check what's required to upgrade. I have to wait till he comes back from Tennerife though

 

[Robotstar5]

.... and I'm getting a sparkie to check what's required to upgrade. I have to wait till he comes back from Tennerife though

You're paying him too much

 

[David12]

Yes the poor soul is under a lot of pressure what with paying for his 3 holidays abroad every year and his golf club membership. There's also the stress of thinking up ever more elaborate excuses for not turning up when he said he would. It can't be easy.

 

[Jan]

I'm having much the same problems getting any of my cars back on the road ...