Welding...

I

imamartian

... is it easy? if i manage to pick up a cheap welding kit from Lidl or Netto... could i be building a bridge over my house by tomorrow?
 
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Depends what sort of welding kit it is

I learned to weld using oxy-acetylene, i thought that was easy. I didnt get on with straight electric arc, could never get a good arc going for long. But a few years ago i got one of these auto feed wire arc welders, using flux cored wire. I get on a lot better with that, but still not as good as gas.
 
Depends what sort of welding kit it is

I learned to weld using oxy-acetylene, i thought that was easy. I didnt get on with straight electric arc, could never get a good arc going for long. But a few years ago i got one of these auto feed wire arc welders, using flux cored wire. I get on a lot better with that, but still not as good as gas.

But would you say it's do-able for your average DIYer?
 
mig welding is quite easy for DIYers. as a beginner you'd find it easier with a gas- shielded set rather than gasless. it's more to learn and juggle with at first but you'll get better results. don't expect to do loads of heavy runs, though. neither type will cope, but for light work they're good.
 
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If you are talking arc welders the bigger the transformer the easier it is. The industrial jobs that need a forklift to move are dead easy to use. The little tiny ones from netto are quite difficult to use. It's all about striking up and maintaining the arc.
 
Electric arc is dead easy for heavier materials - say 3mm - you just cant go wrong, using about 90 amps.
For thinner stuff, MIG is the only way to go to prevent burning through, using a fairly high wire speed and an excess of gas.
To practice striking the arc, I hold the electrode in a heavily gloved hand, rather than by the holder. Gives great control until you get used to it.
One of the best things I have bought is a welding mask/helmet that darkens immediately the arc is struck. Absolutely brilliant.
Cover your arms to prevent sunburn.....
John :)
 
Welding is not that difficult, but it's like most things a bit of practice makes you better.
The things you must remember, a face mask and heat resistance gloves are a must.
 
also don't weld upside down in a fleece as a burnt nipple and head banged off the sill trying to get the nugget out may be the result. :LOL:
 
open wellies are similar. once the lava settles around your ankle you can then choose between a neat scar the size of a sixpence or a snail trail right down your foot. i always opted for the wait and whistle routine till the smell of burning flesh subsided.
 
also don't weld upside down in a fleece as a burnt nipple and head banged off the sill trying to get the nugget out may be the result. :LOL:

HAH i learned to gas weld laid on my back looking up, doing up old cars, it took me years to get the hang of welding the right way up. One thing i learned was never put your cup of tea on the floor, otherwise it gets full of crap flying off the weld pool.

I used to charge for MOT welding based on time + materials + £1 a burn.......
 
I can totally relate to the burning fleece comment :LOL:

Mig welding is easy for an amateur, however getting a nice looking weld takes practice, so long as you get good pentration it doesnt matter.
 
i've got quite a few burns now. one is quite impressive. :LOL:

welding old cars is a pain in the arse. invariably you are welding onto average quality metal with an average quality MIG with average ability. the thicker the metal the easier it is of course as you can whack the power up for more penetration without blowing through. thin car panels are a compromise between penetration and looks.

i agree with you cortinav8, making it look good is low down on the list.


lincsbodger. i taught myself the right way up on a bench and was then completely unprepared for the poor results upside down on a rusty turd. :LOL:
 
I've had a few plays at welding, but it's counter intuitive for me..
as an electrician we tend to try and prevent shorts circuits and arcs and flashes..
 
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