DIY Welding for a Beginner
Discussion
I feel like my armoury should feature basic welding equipment.
The idea of being able to fabricate things has grown on me in recent months, especially since there are now a couple of tasks outstanding which require a bit of welding (not quite the Dick Strawbridge, mind) . I don't really want to borrow anyone's stuff and besides, one of those tasks is to weld some studs (eight in total) to a steel handrail (in the garden) and it feels like something I should do myself. First up: welding equipment. MIG welder?
It will not be used a lot so spending big on something makes little sense. That said, I also have an old (cast) barbecue which I plan to modify, and there's also a fire box (also cast) which needs something tacked on with a spot of welding. Come to think of it, there are a couple of mods I could make to the rack I carry windscreens on in the van.
Will a MIG tick the boxes, or should I look at MMA?
I have a birthday coming up...
Any advice, tips and recommendations appreciated.
The idea of being able to fabricate things has grown on me in recent months, especially since there are now a couple of tasks outstanding which require a bit of welding (not quite the Dick Strawbridge, mind) . I don't really want to borrow anyone's stuff and besides, one of those tasks is to weld some studs (eight in total) to a steel handrail (in the garden) and it feels like something I should do myself. First up: welding equipment. MIG welder?
It will not be used a lot so spending big on something makes little sense. That said, I also have an old (cast) barbecue which I plan to modify, and there's also a fire box (also cast) which needs something tacked on with a spot of welding. Come to think of it, there are a couple of mods I could make to the rack I carry windscreens on in the van.
Will a MIG tick the boxes, or should I look at MMA?
I have a birthday coming up...
Any advice, tips and recommendations appreciated.
Based upon some positive reviews on a welding forum I bought one of these a few years ago now to replace my ratty old Sealey Supermig:
https://www.uptimewelding.co.uk/uptime-mig-welders...
It is very easy to use and turns our very impressive welds even for an amateur like me - the difference between my old Sealey and this was night and day. The wire feed is especially impressive compared to the old Sealey.
It's worth getting a Hobby weld gas bottle and a decent regulator - these cost me around £100. The small disposable gas bottles are expensive and useless. Last time I checked it was around £50 to refill the Hobbyweld bottle but it lasts ages.
https://www.uptimewelding.co.uk/uptime-mig-welders...
It is very easy to use and turns our very impressive welds even for an amateur like me - the difference between my old Sealey and this was night and day. The wire feed is especially impressive compared to the old Sealey.
It's worth getting a Hobby weld gas bottle and a decent regulator - these cost me around £100. The small disposable gas bottles are expensive and useless. Last time I checked it was around £50 to refill the Hobbyweld bottle but it lasts ages.
I can highly recommend R Tech.
https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/
Their kit is excellent and UK made and their customer support is absolutely brilliant.
They even have tutorial videos on their site to get you going.
https://www.r-techwelding.co.uk/
Their kit is excellent and UK made and their customer support is absolutely brilliant.
They even have tutorial videos on their site to get you going.
I have a modestly priced Clarke MIG. It's great for most jobs. The one thing I'd stress is this - throw the mini gas bottles - they are junk. Total junk. Go to your local reseller and grab a bottle of Hobbyweld Argomix with a regulator. It'll set you back £80 or £90. £70 of that is the bottle deposit - but you'll rarely return it. I'm years in and still on my 1st bottle.
Getting the gas right is absolutely KEY to successful welding. I had a lesson with a mate who's a metal fabricator which taught me the basics and I've learnt through practice. Nothing wonderful, but I've repaired a seriously rotten tractor mower deck, put a metal patch on my Transit wing - and welded bars to things that I needed to stop moving etc.
The breakthrough was getting the big gas bottle, and binning the gasless wire. Oh, and get a solar powered auto mask.
Welding cast iron is somethign I've had zero success with btw - others will chime in, but I totally failed at it.
Getting the gas right is absolutely KEY to successful welding. I had a lesson with a mate who's a metal fabricator which taught me the basics and I've learnt through practice. Nothing wonderful, but I've repaired a seriously rotten tractor mower deck, put a metal patch on my Transit wing - and welded bars to things that I needed to stop moving etc.
The breakthrough was getting the big gas bottle, and binning the gasless wire. Oh, and get a solar powered auto mask.
Welding cast iron is somethign I've had zero success with btw - others will chime in, but I totally failed at it.
I've also got a Clarke MIG welder the 151EN I think - it's done what I want it to do, the biggest limitation is me rather than the welder. Definitely get one that uses gas, big bottles if you can but I've found the small bottles of argon mix to be OK. The gasless welders are a waste of time
Wouldn't even consider trying to weld cast iron, like plastering it's a bit of a dark art
Wouldn't even consider trying to weld cast iron, like plastering it's a bit of a dark art
I believe the R-Tech is the same device underneath as my portamig (not sure if they’re made any longer), made in the U.K. so I’d second that recommendation.
Importantly, spend that bit extra to bump you out of the very basic ‘hobby’ welders with disposable gas; this should be a purchase that will be an investment for the next few decades so worth getting something decent.
I did an adult education welding class at the local college, was great as it gave me the opportunity to learn MIG, TIG and gas.
Importantly, spend that bit extra to bump you out of the very basic ‘hobby’ welders with disposable gas; this should be a purchase that will be an investment for the next few decades so worth getting something decent.
I did an adult education welding class at the local college, was great as it gave me the opportunity to learn MIG, TIG and gas.
Most Mig machines will run MMA. R Tech are good machines but expensive in comparison to others.
Remember to check what amps you have at the place of welding. Anything decent to do reasonable thickness stuff will need 16A but some are 32A and most will need a round plug.
This will give an idea of welder amps vs thickness https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/buying.htm
Gas is the costly part of MIG welding. Try not to get into lease arrangements with the likes of BOC etc. It's worth checking the welding forums
Remember to check what amps you have at the place of welding. Anything decent to do reasonable thickness stuff will need 16A but some are 32A and most will need a round plug.
This will give an idea of welder amps vs thickness https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/buying.htm
Gas is the costly part of MIG welding. Try not to get into lease arrangements with the likes of BOC etc. It's worth checking the welding forums
carinatauk said:
Most Mig machines will run MMA. R Tech are good machines but expensive in comparison to others.
Remember to check what amps you have at the place of welding. Anything decent to do reasonable thickness stuff will need 16A but some are 32A and most will need a round plug.
This will give an idea of welder amps vs thickness https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/buying.htm
Gas is the costly part of MIG welding. Try not to get into lease arrangements with the likes of BOC etc. It's worth checking the welding forums
Hobbyweld is the way to go:Remember to check what amps you have at the place of welding. Anything decent to do reasonable thickness stuff will need 16A but some are 32A and most will need a round plug.
This will give an idea of welder amps vs thickness https://www.mig-welding.co.uk/buying.htm
Gas is the costly part of MIG welding. Try not to get into lease arrangements with the likes of BOC etc. It's worth checking the welding forums
https://hobbyweld.co.uk/products/hobbyweld-5-mig-w...
Lotobear said:
Definitely this, or Adams Gas if their stockist is more local to you.Gassing Station | Homes, Gardens and DIY | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff