Which Welding machine for Teens (13-18)

[Prem Udeshi]

Hi,

I want to get started with welding but I dont know which machine is cheap and usable for 13 year olds. I would like a affordable machine that is also safe for me to use. I am a total beginer.

Thanks,
Prem

 

[Kent]

there is no age restrictions on being able to use any welding kit, some 13 yr olds will be fitter stronger than many 65 or over and they will certainly have better vision on average.
What stuff do you want to weld? what power supply do you have and can you get bottled gases and other consumables ok?

 

[Bill Edwards]

I'm not sure what sort of price things are in Africa, but the first question probably has to be what kind of welding are you wanting to do?

 

[Kent]

you know not all of Africa is undevloped

 

[Richard.]

Age has no relevance on the machine you would chose neither is the country you wish to use it in. The factors that should be bought in to it should be
1 budget. Unless you have an endless amount of money this will be a deciding factor on process, type and brand.
2 what you want to primarily weld
Material thickness, material type,
3 power supply. This will limit the welders output. On a good domestic supply (13a) you should expect to get 180-200amps inverter tig, 130-150amps inverter mma, 150-160amps transformer mig, 160-180 inverter mig. This is very rough mind and transformer based units won't be as good.
4. Support. Find a brand that is supported well in your country/area should you have any problems

 

[Kent]

I think its Lincoln Electric in Africa, there was a chap on here pitching the plasma not long back

 

[Bill Edwards]

you know not all of Africa is undevloped

That isn't what I mean though.

I'm sure I've read the odd thing or two on here that it isn't always easy to get certain welders or gas in some countries. If say small, cheapish MIG welders aren't common in an area it may be quite hard to get hold of one and the gas, which could end up influencing what's chosen. That's all.

 

[Richard.]

That isn't what I mean though.

I'm sure I've read the odd thing or two on here that it isn't always easy to get certain welders or gas in some countries. If say small, cheapish MIG welders aren't common in an area it may be quite hard to get hold of one and the gas, which could end up influencing what's chosen. That's all.

Bill he wasn't referring to your post.

 

[Bill Edwards]

OK, but I'm confused and somehow missing what he was referring to.

I expect it come to me!

 

[eSCHEn]

I think there was a post which has since been removed Bill.

 

[Richard.]

Yes. There was a post suggesting mma as a suitable process for use in Africa as the equipment is easy to come by. Kent responded to this post with a very fair point. This post isn't there any more hens the confusion.

 

[Kent]

yes Bill the post was removed, somebody thought all of Africa was like the old black and white Tarzan films

 

[Bill Edwards]

OK, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[Maker]

I had quite liked being the youngest here.

 

[Kent]

I had quite liked being the youngest here.

If you wait you will soon be among the oldest, it happens far quicker than you think