Where do i start?

[shan.e]

Hi all,

Just joined up, as looking to learn how to weld, primarily to get our VW camper on the road but looking through some of the projects members have posted on here has really excited me to what could be achieved with this skill!

I have been reading up on welding but think i need it dumbing down a bit more!

Looked at MIG no gas welders as for some reason i think they seem easiest to use as worried having a gas supply is a lot more dangerous. Looking at Clarke MIG no gas.

Going to primarily welding on our van so what power do i realistically need? - i have been told a clarke 90EN wont be good enough and to go for a clarke 150 turbo instead as would be easier to use and will do just about anything.

How do i power the welder? Sounds stupid but have read you CAN plug into house socket and others say you need to have a special plug put in. Or should i buy a generator and run from this?


Sorry for really stupid questions but really no nothing so keep it really simple.
Let me know if you need more info

Cheers
Shane

 

[rtbcomp]

Welcome to the forum.

Gas would be better for you, CO2/Argon mix preferably. I bought a gas/no-gas MIG to get the best of both worlds.

Get fitted up with a proper refillable "pub" sized bottle from a welding supplies place, use the correct fittings and regulator and safety isn't a problem.

You will be OK with a 13A socket welding bodywork, get a welder with the lowest possible current output. I used a 90EN on my Landrover chassis with no problems, I already had a cheap buzz-box (AC stick welder) for thicker stuff.

 

[lshigham]

Hi all,
Looked at MIG no gas welders as for some reason i think they seem easiest to use as worried having a gas supply is a lot more dangerous. Looking at Clarke MIG no gas.

Thin stuff is difficult with no gas, get a bottle of argonshield light and it'll be much easier. There's nothing dangerous about the gas so long as you don't do anything daft (like leaving it unsupported so it falls over and smashes the regulator off), it's mostly inert argon.

 

[shan.e]

Great thank you both, will look at gas combo :-)

 

[lshigham]

Whats the budget?

 

[shan.e]

Would be happy spending £200-£250 may have to wait for deals on at machine mart :-)

 

[ajlelectronics]

Funny about Machine Mart vouchers, we have any number over the spring and Summer, but now that I need one, zilch! I want one of the temorary garages, so 20% makes all the difference.