suggestions for welder

[Ezgoing]

Hi guys,


I am considering purchasing a welding unit.

my requirement is for a unit for doing bits and pieces of repairs to trailer, Bikes, Etc.

Has any one purchased any of the units in B & Q.
Should i be thinking inverter?
What is the minmum frequirements for welding stainless steel?

Any advice / suggestions welcome.





Rgds

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by Ezgoing

Hi guys,


I am considering purchasing a welding unit.

my requirement is for a unit for doing bits and pieces of repairs to trailer, Bikes, Etc.

Has any one purchased any of the units in B & Q.
Should i be thinking inverter?
What is the minmum frequirements for welding stainless steel?

Any advice / suggestions welcome.





Rgds

Given your list of questions, I'd go and do a night class and learn to weld first. It'll answer your questions and mean you won't make a lot of expensive scrap.

[shoestring]

I've always considered stainless welding a bit specialist and left it to the experts but if you're looking towards 'hobby' mig welders rather than light industrial i'd suggest at least a 130amp as trailer sections can be quite thick, anything galvanised can be ground back to 'steel' in the area you intend welding and repainted with 'galvanised paint'. I've never tried 'gasless' migs but the smaller gas units tend to use disposable bottles where light industrial/ pro user have larger re-fillable bottles that you need to buy/lease so it'll depend on how much you intend to use it. Don't know if you have Machine Mart or similar but they tend to have a good range Sealey/Clarke etc regards AL

[njensen]

I bought a used ESAB 180amp 15 years ago (MAG). I have had good fun with it, but only for normal steel. I have been thinking about buying an Argon bottle (+whatever) for the stainless stuff but so far i'm sticking to galvanising my parts.

[biffer]

i suggest you have a rethink on stainless, although you can weld stainless with a MIG it is usually only heavy gauge stuff, TIG is the norm for stainless

[doggypaddle]

Originally Posted by gunrunner

I've always considered stainless welding a bit specialist and left it to the experts but if you're looking towards 'hobby' mig welders rather than light industrial i'd suggest at least a 130amp as trailer sections can be quite thick, anything galvanised can be ground back to 'steel' in the area you intend welding and repainted with 'galvanised paint'. I've never tried 'gasless' migs but the smaller gas units tend to use disposable bottles where light industrial/ pro user have larger re-fillable bottles that you need to buy/lease so it'll depend on how much you intend to use it. Don't know if you have Machine Mart or similar but they tend to have a good range Sealey/Clarke etc regards AL

I have a 150 sealey, and its not powerful enough to get a decent weld on thicker sections, the wire feed is not even, the speed tends to vary a bit, but its still a good useable welder for DIY use.
Also have a SIP topmig 195, still not brilliant wire feed, but a lot better for thicker sections, still not briliant welds, tends to be a bit splattery due to the poorly smoothed power supply.
my mate has a clarke 260, same poor splattery welds.
he also has a old BOC lynx, and a Migatronics rallye 195, both of which weld beautifully.
my point is you may be better off with a 2nd hand migatronics or boc than a new diy sealey for the same money.