What Welder Do i Need?

[BenWeld]

Hi All,

Never welded before, looking to start so i dont have to order as much in for my projects.

The first project i would like to do will be in june, it will require butt (or mitre if i want to be fancy) joint welding 5mm mild steel box section (100 x 50mm).
Other than 3-5mm mild steel stuff, i would also look to try my hand at 2-3mm stainless steel at a later date. As well as come aluminium work (3mm).

I've been looking at some cheap options like the Draper 200A MIG inverter 230V from ToolStation.
Should i be looking at MIG for the range of projects i have in mind? would this machine be good enough to weld 5mm mild?

Also a question about power supply, the one mentioned requires 32A supply, what is the process of getting 32A socket in the garage?

Thank you

 

[Wozzaaah]

Hi and welcome to the forum.
That mig will do you well for the mild steel and stainless but you may need to fit it with a spool gun if you want to weld aluminium.
It's a bit cheaper from Lawsons
You'll need to get an electrician to run a 32a supply from your consumer unt to your garage.

 

[BenWeld]

Thank you for the welcome!
thats good then, what difference does the gas composition make? Im think 95/5 (i have no reason for the choice)
So its a seperate supply, understood!

 

[addjunkie]

95/5 up to about 6mm. As a learner I doubt you would notice the difference between the different percentages.

https://www.sgsgases.co.uk/product-category/mig-and-tig-welding/10-co2-argon-cylinders/

Gases suitable for MIG and TIG Welding

Do you MIG/TIG welding and are unhappy with high rental bills? Look no further - with our rent free cylinders, you pay a one off fee and that is all!

hobbyweld.co.uk

 

[Wozzaaah]

"95/5" is ok for most diy use on mild steel, you'd only go with a different mix if you're constantly welding thicker stuff.
(It's actually not as simple as 95/5, the mix also contains a small percentage of oxygen so it's approx. 93% argon, 2% oxygen and 5% co2)
For stainless you'll need a different mix (one with less co2) and for aluminium you'll need pure argon.

 

[BrokenBiker]

ive used a 200 amp mig for years up to 6mm steel, thicker with good joint prep and also car body work repairs with 0.6mm wire

ive been using 5% co2 in rent free bottles from local motor factor and the stainless repairs ive done on a mates cheap exhuast have come out ok and lasted just fine.

for aluminium tig is ideal but with the right set up it can be done with mig but you will need a seperate bottle of pure argon anyway.

stick welding is also a good option for thicker mild steel, and there are stainless rods available, but a DC stick welder will eliminate any ability on aluminium.

 

[Barking Mat]

I'd start with a cheap Lidl arc welder, for sure it won't do alu, but will get you into welding cheaply.