This is a cry for help!

[jimmypolo]

Hi all
I've been attempting to learn to weld on and off for about 10 years now. I did a beginners welding course at Moulton college in Northampton to start with and then life sort of happened and I'm really struggling to remember what I learnt.
Occasionally I can stick two bits of metal together but I'm not entirely sure if it's luck or judgement?!
I don't know if I know enough about the gauges to trust what I'm looking at for example.....
I've had a Hillman Imp which I had to sell because I couldn't restore it. I've had my Polo for about 7 years now and I have to learn how to fix it because otherwise I'll have to find another hobby. Cos not fixing cars is such a boring hobby.
Any help would be massively appreciated.
Tea and biscuits guaranteed

 

[Bsmith]

What welding equipment do you have?
Welcome to the forum.

 

[angellonewolf]

pic of mechine would help and more details

 

[eddie49]

According to this earlier thread by the OP:

J

Thread 'Finally getting round to using my welder (about 10 years later...)'

Mar 16, 2024

Hi all
So I did a welding night class at the local agricultural college about 10 years ago and got myself a parweld xtm 171c through this very site I believe. The plan was to fix up my Hillman imp but then kids happened and I never had the time. Fast forward to now and the imp has long gone to be replaced with my 94 VW Polo which due to flooding and old age now needs to be fixed.
Much like with myself and the Polo, time seems to have affected my welder which doesn't seem to be running as I want it to with the wire seemingly not feeding consistently. Also I can't seem to dial in the...

• jimmypolo
• Replies: 6
• forum: Introductions

it is a Parweld XTM 171C.

Here is a manual for it:

https://wiki.london.hackspace.org.uk/w/images/c/c6/Instruction_book_XTM161-171.pdf

Apparently the machine can do 30 to 170 Amps, with OCV of 19 to 29.5 volts, on-load voltage 15.5 to 22.5 volts, and 6 voltage steps.

 

[frank horton]

is it just cars u wanna weld or make/repair gates and the like....?
if it's welding rusty cars u need 1-1 tuition if u have no skill base...
I always strated student off welding angle iron and plate (builds confidence) then graduate to MIG for thin stuff....
of course u have some where to work....?

 

[BrokenBiker]

get some 5mm steel, max the machine out and practice till it makes sense

 

[northwest]

get some 5mm steel, max the machine out and practice till it makes sense

This is very good advice. Do NOT practice on the car, you will become discouraged, start simple, remember: Baby steps.............

 

[BrokenBiker]

This is very good advice. Do NOT practice on the car, you will become discouraged, start simple, remember: Baby steps.............

i speak from experience...my first ever attempts at welding were trying to weld an exhaust on a corsa C the morning of its mot with a buzz box stick welder and some 2.5mm 6013s...was an absolute nightmare.

 

[northwest]

i speak from experience...my first ever attempts at welding were trying to weld an exhaust on a corsa C the morning of its mot with a buzz box stick welder and some 2.5mm 6013s...was an absolute nightmare.

You cearly like a challenge and I have a few here you could have a go at if you want, first off is a load of machine code that is constantly giving me errors, even if I delete out the line that is giving me grief, I am going to pass it over to someone far more experienced than I to have a look a before those ideas of a short rope and a long drop actually become reality*





*only kidding guys!

 

[BrokenBiker]

You cearly like a challenge and I have a few here you could have a go at if you want, first off is a load of machine code that is constantly giving me errors, even if I delete out the line that is giving me grief, I am going to pass it over to someone far more experienced than I to have a look a before those ideas of a short rope and a long drop actually become reality*





*only kidding guys!

i used to like a challenge...now i spend more time planning a job than actually doing it