Anyone into welding?

[Mirez]

I've done quite a bit in the past but always with someone else's kit. Now, I've got some railings to make along with some brackets and it makes sense to get a welder of my own.

Any advice? I've had a Clarke gasless 130(I think) one on the past which was utterly shite, whilst its only for occasional use I would rather have some decent, budgets about 1k.

[johnnyroper]

I have a fairly cheap Clark turbo mig en150 I think gas and gasless, for a hobbyist itââ,¬â,,¢s not a bad machine on gas but the bottles donââ,¬â,,¢t last too long and you have to allow the machine to cool if doing a fair amount of welding.
For railings you want something a bit more manly.
Something like this.

https://www.toolstoday.co.uk/xtm201di-digital-multi-process-inverter-welder-mig-tig-mma-230v?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiM7Rv5KX4wIV6J3tCh2i4wwhEAQYAyABEgJ5xvD_BwE

If you are good at welding I can supply my BMW DPF and replacement flexi for you to test your new machine on😂

[brianh]

Everyone I've asked says the gasless type isn't very good, your better with the ones that use a co2 shield. You can get a bigger cylinder which works out cheaper - I was told your best bet for finding a cheaper option was to ask around the local pubs, but you can also find places about that will sell you a cylinder (ebay being one option, I picked up the one I've got from Doncaster from Yorkshire co2 gas, found on eBay).

Presently we have "borrowed" a Cebora machine which has been ok, but still getting to grips with it.

If its thicker stuff your dealing with, an Arc welder might be what you actually need, how thick is the material you want to weld together?

[Mirez]

Cheers chaps,

Nothing that stressful, basic plate and box section. I certainly wouldn't try gas less again it was awful!

[regw]

I had a gas MIG set for years for keeping old Bangers on the road and
My motor bike projects.
Results as always, mainly depend on prep work and materials but Argon CO2 mix is nice
if you can afford it, CO2 is fine for most jobs though.

My first time with gasless was orrible, I vowed never to touch it again.
fast forward to too old for crawling about under cars & vans I flogged it all off
until I got a chance to buy a 'spares or repair' portable gasless set for Ã,£25
which I fixed quite easily

I reckoned it would be handy for occasionally tacking stuff together
when nothing else would do but found it actually worked damned well !
the welds are pretty clean with good penetration on materials up to 6mm

Railings might need an ARC for better penetration it depends on the thickness of material
but stick welding like TIG needs more practise than what is effectively a glue gun for metal

As always practise and preparation V important.