Welding

[AndyBoyd]

From time to time I need to make brackets etc and I have started to think about welding (Seems easy enough when you watch American Chopper :roll: ). I can solder brass and have done so for my furniture projects over the years

My question is is there a book I can order which is a dummies/hobbyist guide to welding

What I ideally would like to do would be to weld steel and stainless steel.

I guess I'd buy a MIG welder (gas or gasless?) from Axminster or someone similar - or maybe I need something else. (I have a 16 amp supply if needed.

I'll buy a visor with an automatic darkening glass - seems easier

Weld outside due to fumes etc

Any thoughts anyone, (I was taught to weld many years ago and did Arc welding and gas welding but only for 2 weeks (part of my post grad. induction into my company) but that was some 20 years ago!

Grateful for any advice

 

[Chris Knight]

Andy,
I have a MIG welder from Machine Mart that is very useful for all kinds of jobs. I got a book I found quite useful "Soldering, Brazing and Welding" by Derek Pritchard ISBN 1861263910.

I also use an auto-darkening helmet. I got the gasless kind but in fact have mainly used it in the workshop with gas so have not used the gasless feature much - which is handy outside in the wind.

With the MIG welder you can weld Stainless, Ally, and in fact bronze too - as opposed to brazing. However, for all these,except perhaps stainless, I think you need gas and therefore can't do it in a windy condition where the gas shield is likely to be disrupted.

Fumes are not too bad normally and I use 3M disposable welding masks. Just be careful not to try and weld galvanised metal which emits poisonous zinc fumes.

 

[AndyBoyd]

Great reply Chris thanks - sounds good

 

[Jake]

Try http://www.mig-welding.co.uk for info. Great site, very helpful people on the fora. The tutorials are really informative and a good place to start.

 

[AndyBoyd]

Cool thanks

 

[Nick W]

Just came across this which may be useful.

 

[Hitch]

It doesnt happen often here, but a subject i can advise on!!

Yes do go over to DIYWelding, theres a forum for the questions, and a how to guide.

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/tutorial.htm

Its a friendly place over there, if its not, ill sort them out :lol:
Powers of the mod and all that :lol:

As for books, i think you could learn anything you need from the forum.

Assuming you have an indoor area to work, or at least a sheltered outside, deffinatly go for the gas option. Unless your doing a lot, in a very small space fumes shouldnt really be an issue. Its nothing like the smoke from stick welding.

You will be able to do steel, stainless and ally with a gas setup.

 

[AndyBoyd]

Thanks Hitch, now I have plenty of input and I'm plotting my way forward,

Cheers

 

[LyNx]

thanks for the links too.

I'm planning on purchasing the DIY rated clarke 151TE which is going to be VAT free in a few weeks for a day special.

Hope this is a good purchase for a new user?

 

[Hitch]

The clarkes do seem fairly popular amongst the DIYers.

Not sure how much it is, but before you buy, check out the local paper etc for a second hand one, of a higher quality.
Might be lucky to pick up a murex or migatronic. Both are a far superior machine.

Dont forget to keep some cash back for your headshield, ovies, gloves, gas....
:lol:

 

[LyNx]

ovies????

To be honest, i wouldn't want to buy a second hand until i understand how to use one and knowing if it works ok.

The clarke one is the 150amp at £189 (discounted price) with a hand shield (will change), a gas bottle (small) and accessories to start up.

Another question. Welding stainless. Is it the same rules as Mild steel? I know you need different wire and gas but is the technique the same?

 

[Hitch]

Ovies more commonly known as overalls :lol:


I suppose there is an issue with being sold a machine that isnt quite right.

But you will beable to lear far easier as you will have much less hassle with wire feed problems and such.


As for the stainless, if your miging it, yes its pretty much the same.

 

[Hitch]

Not sure how much you intend using it, but consider a gas account with proper bottles. The disposables literally last 5 minuites, at £8 a pop, you dont need to use many to equal the cost of a proper bottle.

 

[andycktm]

Go for it Hitch :lol:
I enquired about renting a bottle for gas but it was about £75 plus £20 to fill ,a little steep for the odd job.
i managed to get hold of a pub bottle food grade CO2 but it made no difference,apart from i could fizz my own coke :lol: .
Although i've got tig c&g i like stick myself a little harder to do but no hassle welding on 2mm+.

 

[Hitch]

I hate stick :lol:

Pulse mag is my favorite 8)