Club 80-90 Forums

I'm looking at getting myself a welder for those little jobs that pop up now & then, We have gas migs at work which I use now & then but while looking round I found there are also gasless mig sets which I have never used, Are these any good? whats the difference in weld quality & technique? It would be a bonus if I didn't have to buy & store gas. There is always the arc sets which I haven't used for about 20 years but I would prefer mig. What do you use/prefer to use. Don't want to spend much as it will spend more time sat doing nothing than it will hours of working (I hope)

someone will contradict this but I think they are rubbish

spitty horrible welds that are hard to set up and get a constant nice smooth run...but I could have used a dodgy set

I've got a little one (oo-er missus) which is fine for light jobs. I got it for the convenience, just plug into domestic socket and off you go. I don't think it would be much use for anything other than bodywork though.

weldore wrote:someone will contradict this but I think they are rubbish

Someone who welds doors for a living should be listened to.

Paul

voodoopenguin wrote:Someone who welds doors for a living should be listened to.

Paul

Absolutely. I'm not saying they're ideal, just convenient and capable of sticking two bits of light metal together.

voodoopenguin wrote:

weldore wrote:someone will contradict this but I think they are rubbish

Someone who welds doors for a living should be listened to.

Paul

dint say I was any good at it though

Like I say hopefully won't be using it too often but when I do I don't want stop,start spit n fart, bird "pooh" & spatter everywhere as I'm no pro so don't need the job making harder.

The flux simply cannot shield the welding process from air/contamination as well as a proper shielding gas...

rainman wrote:I've got a little one (oo-er missus) which is fine for light jobs. I got it for the convenience, just plug into domestic socket and off you go. I don't think it would be much use for anything other than bodywork though.

I would love to see father jack welding with gasless

A R S E !

my opinion as a welder of 30 years,gasless migs are not fit for purpose,they make welding more difficult and the end result is way below standard.

The cost between a gasless/Gas welder isn't too far apart so when you factor in the extra work of removing spatter, untidy welds, etc then a gas model is way better in my opinion.
Better still, use a proper Argon/co2 mix gas instead of those little cannisters as if you are doing a lot of welding work, i.e more than one panel, these little cylinders will soon run out and being more expensive, not at all cost effective. I use these people for my gas: http://www.adamsgas.co.uk/index.php/hobby-gas-welding" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;. Hope that helps

weldore wrote:someone will contradict this but I think they are rubbish

spitty horrible welds that are hard to set up and get a constant nice smooth run...but I could have used a dodgy set

No contradiction here and some one learning to weld not good

No brainer!! gas mig it is then, thanks for your advice.

I use several different welders and agree that gasless us terrifyingly cxxp. For a hobbyist, a second hand inverter arc woyld be good value because when used with quality rods, the quality of a dc (rather than ac in a normal arc welder) is exceptional & the amps can be turned right down for tin work. Good luck & don't get uv sunburn like I did this week whilst welding inch thick plate. My thigh was very pink & did smart in the shower!