I need a couple of small patches welding on the back of the bus so started looking for someone to do it. Then I had a brain wave. Why not buy one of these and teach myself how to weld.
I have 3 cars with a combined age of 95. I work in a garage as a mechanic but have never welded before. It's got to be worth a go. Did a bit of research and this one gets great reviews.
I'll get plenty of practice in before touching the van. Some of the welders I've met have been as thick as castle walls so I guess with my O levels it should be a piece of yellow snow.
Slightly off topic as I cant comment on that particular welder, but I can defo recomend FFX if you do decide to buy any kit. I have recently had trouble with a Sealey vehicle lift bought from their eBay shop, and was very impressed with how quickly they had a replacement sent out without question. (the faulty one was picked up the morning after I emailed them, new one received 2 days later). They paid for all courier costs both ways as well.
I find that amazing unless , it's a posh garage... I'd use a cheap mask first ,then if you can weld with that you will be amazing with a flash helmet ,I am still waiting to transfer to amazing welder...
I'm still toying with the idea, what else do I need to buy ... wire, helmet and gas, as to the first two exactly what. This MIG stuff is all pretty new to me, as an apprentice I did proper old style arc welding and oxyacetylene, and my dad was a tip top ships welder but as he's long gone I can't ask him. As to the gas is the hobby weld stuff OK @volkswombat
Still looking in to this^^. Sealey do a good auto dimming helmet. I think argon/ co2 mix is best for my use.
This year's Christmas list will be a good one. Helmet top of the list. Magnets and clamps lower down. I'll have to buy my own socks and underpants in the sales.
swp do a great range thats what i use not this one , but good for money http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWP-Redli...759189?hash=item2cb36bfa95:g:1jQAAOSwxg5Xzpix http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWP-Redli...147159?hash=item20f5c2f157:g:4u8AAOSw~gRVr1Pa http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWP-Redli...651538?hash=item2cb36a5612:g:QokAAOSwIgNXovBT this is very good http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SWP-Redli...626673?hash=item4191d67ab1:g:ORsAAOSwEeFU-GB8 this is the one i use
Hobby weld argon seems ok to me but what do I know! £100 initial outlay from local motor factor. Wire 0.6 or o.8 mm, I think it was. Helmet wants to be an auto mask, I was lucky enough to get given one by a mate at work. Head strap was broke, but I sourced the bits to fix it for a fiver. Helmet turned out be a pretty expensive good one, speedglas I think it is
Beware of the cheaper Masks I got arc eye from a cheap one ! It didn't always auto dim ! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk