no just worked as pipe welder X-rayed welds. building new and maintenance on piping systems for power plant steam generation systems is all
no just worked as pipe welder X-rayed welds. building new and maintenance on piping systems for power plant steam generation systems is all
johnny curt 1
Well-Known Member
it dont matter what make or model welder you get really theres only 2 main rules to it
1 make sure its got more than 100 amps otherwise youd have better luck using a bic lighter
2 dont fook about with self flux cored wire and just use co2/argon mix gas
with the self fluxing stuff youll never get a clean weld as theres no regulation to it so youll get welds that look like gerbil turds for months and totaly dishearten yerself with the whole welding process and probably give up as most do
with the gas theres an easily cureable solution to its main downfall
if you use the little white cylinders available at hellfrauds or B&spew theyre gonna cost yer bout £15 a pop and would only last roughly 1 hour or so and the little toy regulator tap on the top of them is less use than a chocolate teapot
to cure this you just need a good mate that happens to be a landlord at the local watering hole and a decent regulator and some high pressure hose to connect it to the gubbins in the machine
personally i use a 20 odd yr old SIP migmate turbo 130 that ive tweaked to give up to 190 amps by using a bigger transformer and as low as 29 amps with an ickle transformer for delecate stuff ( at a push i can weld fray bentos pie tins if i need to )
to get maximum adjustment and versatility out of this rig i use .06 wire as its a lot more controllable on the thin stuff and its just a question of speeding the hell otu of it for anything up to 10mm thick
a suggestion while you learn to weld try making something of use for the welder such as a trolley so yer dont have to drag and lift the bugger evrywhere when you finally do begin with a progect such as a landy chassis
this will also boost your confidence in marking measuring and setting out ending up with what you want and something to show for your efforts rather than ending up with a mangled heap of sharp edges destined for the scrap yard
hope this helps
but i couldnt be bothered reading the entire thread arguments anorl
1 make sure its got more than 100 amps otherwise youd have better luck using a bic lighter
2 dont fook about with self flux cored wire and just use co2/argon mix gas
with the self fluxing stuff youll never get a clean weld as theres no regulation to it so youll get welds that look like gerbil turds for months and totaly dishearten yerself with the whole welding process and probably give up as most do
with the gas theres an easily cureable solution to its main downfall
if you use the little white cylinders available at hellfrauds or B&spew theyre gonna cost yer bout £15 a pop and would only last roughly 1 hour or so and the little toy regulator tap on the top of them is less use than a chocolate teapot
to cure this you just need a good mate that happens to be a landlord at the local watering hole and a decent regulator and some high pressure hose to connect it to the gubbins in the machine
personally i use a 20 odd yr old SIP migmate turbo 130 that ive tweaked to give up to 190 amps by using a bigger transformer and as low as 29 amps with an ickle transformer for delecate stuff ( at a push i can weld fray bentos pie tins if i need to )
to get maximum adjustment and versatility out of this rig i use .06 wire as its a lot more controllable on the thin stuff and its just a question of speeding the hell otu of it for anything up to 10mm thick
a suggestion while you learn to weld try making something of use for the welder such as a trolley so yer dont have to drag and lift the bugger evrywhere when you finally do begin with a progect such as a landy chassis
this will also boost your confidence in marking measuring and setting out ending up with what you want and something to show for your efforts rather than ending up with a mangled heap of sharp edges destined for the scrap yard
hope this helps
but i couldnt be bothered reading the entire thread arguments anorl
johnny curt 1
Well-Known Member
johnny curt 1
Well-Known Member
jeez i got tested by me grandads brother the oldschool way
weld a cap on either end of a 6" bore cylinder weld a nozzle to it put it in the boiler works test chamber and see what pressure it can take before it fails
got 185 bar out of mine and 216 bar out of me brothers before the innevitable bang
weld a cap on either end of a 6" bore cylinder weld a nozzle to it put it in the boiler works test chamber and see what pressure it can take before it fails
got 185 bar out of mine and 216 bar out of me brothers before the innevitable bang
ere thor what codes and restrictions have yer got on yer welding
1500psi. all position stick with tig consumable inserts. 400 series stainless, monel,inconel and k monel and all carbon steel as design specs cmo,crmo, tek10 and 120 pressure hull vessels.( Subs) Specs may have changed since retirement from welding in 1991
Johny does Holly Loch ........... On a AS ring a bell....... before they left
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johnny curt 1
Well-Known Member
so guessing from that little collection youve done atleast 30 yrs in the welding game or had a really extensive course
so guessing from that little collection youve done atleast 30 yrs in the welding game or had a really extensive course
sept 1971 entered a 28 week course 8 hrs a day 5 days a week only 5-7 hrs class room a week, rest in a 6x6 welding both burning rod
and practice and practice. If you failed the test you had 1 repair attempt ( on x-ray) or failed and booted out of school.
Welding is easy, just damn boring.
Just buy the best SECONDHAND(so you get more for your money) mig you can afford and argonshield type gas to get good penetration even with a low powered welder.
Practice on clean metal.
Just buy the best SECONDHAND(so you get more for your money) mig you can afford and argonshield type gas to get good penetration even with a low powered welder.
Practice on clean metal.
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Do this, they have guides and all sorts. not that I have a welder.. but it's next on the list
kes86
Active Member
Another vote here for the mig forum, and also the weldequip shop on the forum.
Clarke welders are good, but avoid SIP/Cosmo the forum will explain why. We invested in an SWP220 from there, and it is fantastic, Just finished a GRP 4 Mk 1 Escort build, and also all the welding for the Defender.
For most automotive work, apart from serious thick metal, the 150 Clarke will be fine.
Clarke welders are good, but avoid SIP/Cosmo the forum will explain why. We invested in an SWP220 from there, and it is fantastic, Just finished a GRP 4 Mk 1 Escort build, and also all the welding for the Defender.
For most automotive work, apart from serious thick metal, the 150 Clarke will be fine.
Wesley Pegden
Well-Known Member
it dont matter what make or model welder you get really theres only 2 main rules to it
1 make sure its got more than 100 amps otherwise youd have better luck using a bic lighter
2 dont fook about with self flux cored wire and just use co2/argon mix gas
with the self fluxing stuff youll never get a clean weld as theres no regulation to it so youll get welds that look like gerbil turds for months and totaly dishearten yerself with the whole welding process and probably give up as most do
with the gas theres an easily cureable solution to its main downfall
if you use the little white cylinders available at hellfrauds or B&spew theyre gonna cost yer bout £15 a pop and would only last roughly 1 hour or so and the little toy regulator tap on the top of them is less use than a chocolate teapot
to cure this you just need a good mate that happens to be a landlord at the local watering hole and a decent regulator and some high pressure hose to connect it to the gubbins in the machine
personally i use a 20 odd yr old SIP migmate turbo 130 that ive tweaked to give up to 190 amps by using a bigger transformer and as low as 29 amps with an ickle transformer for delecate stuff ( at a push i can weld fray bentos pie tins if i need to )
to get maximum adjustment and versatility out of this rig i use .06 wire as its a lot more controllable on the thin stuff and its just a question of speeding the hell otu of it for anything up to 10mm thick
a suggestion while you learn to weld try making something of use for the welder such as a trolley so yer dont have to drag and lift the bugger evrywhere when you finally do begin with a progect such as a landy chassis
this will also boost your confidence in marking measuring and setting out ending up with what you want and something to show for your efforts rather than ending up with a mangled heap of sharp edges destined for the scrap yard
hope this helps
but i couldnt be bothered reading the entire thread arguments anorl
Good sound advice which just about sums it all up for competent DIY.
chunkymunky
New Member
Well I'm having vagari's mig soooo guess I might make my own swing away carrier
I have a Thermal Arc multi mode inverter welder that does MIG/TIG/ARC and its amazing. None of the issues of a transformer welder and gives really nice welds in all positions.
I also have a Migmate 130 and its terrible in comparison. I keep it rigged for quick stainless jobs like fixing exhaust brackets etc. Other than that I don't really rate any of those cheap machine mart type welders.
Buy cheap, buy twice is my experience. Hence why I have 2!!
I also have a Migmate 130 and its terrible in comparison. I keep it rigged for quick stainless jobs like fixing exhaust brackets etc. Other than that I don't really rate any of those cheap machine mart type welders.
Buy cheap, buy twice is my experience. Hence why I have 2!!
chunkymunky
New Member
One I'm buying is sealey mightymig 150amp. Not going to be doing sizeable work. I have 20lengths of steel scaffold pipe and some galvanized u shape lengths. Planning on making an epic workbench and storage.
chunkymunky
New Member
Will do. Will ventilate too and face mask too. It's hard to know what to do with so much metal!
andrewblueboy
Active Member
im using a clarke 150 on pub bottle and been faultless,diff like the idea of making a trolley for ya mig. nothin beats makin ya own and saying i made that
chunkymunky
New Member
Well if you he the welder why not!
