Bit of welding advice please

Now firstly I havent done any welding for a while, but I learnt on an Arc welder (Welding Bus Chassis for MOT) then when I was allowed to use the Mig I never looked back.

Been thinking for a while about investing in a Mig but with 4 kids never have the spare cash have been wary of Arc as I always found it difficult to weld thinner steel without making holes, but the kit is more affordable. Recently been looking though and noticed that you can get 2mm sticks and I presume these would be better for the thinner stuff?

Also would a small arc welder do or should I be patient and get a mig? (considering my obvious lack of knowledge)

you can also get 1.6mm sticks get some of these and practice but you might have to try a bit harder to get stuff to stick upside down( under your chassis) but works out a bit cheeper than mig/mag

Stick welding has it's place as it's hugely versatile for industrial welding, however for your needs I would suggest a MIG unit.
Stick welding thin panels is a pain even for the most competent welder.
When I was looking to buy my first Mig unit I was wary of the cheapo stuff. I did end up buying a Clarke 185 not expecting much but let me tell you I have many welding plants but my old Clarke unit has given excellent service.
It'll weld the thinnest of car metals and give good results (good penetration) up to 6mm.
It's the most versatile, portableish unit I've ever bought.
It's been through many reels of wire and unbelievably on it's original liner and rollers..
I've only ever had to change tips. (It's 15 years old FFS)
Bung on a bottle of argon or a C02 fire extinguisher (with regulator off-course) and your good to go.
Buy a Mig unit, get competent and you'll find repairs a doddle bud.

Dartmoor Discovery said:

Now firstly I havent done any welding for a while, but I learnt on an Arc welder (Welding Bus Chassis for MOT) then when I was allowed to use the Mig I never looked back.

Been thinking for a while about investing in a Mig but with 4 kids never have the spare cash have been wary of Arc as I always found it difficult to weld thinner steel without making holes, but the kit is more affordable. Recently been looking though and noticed that you can get 2mm sticks and I presume these would be better for the thinner stuff?

Also would a small arc welder do or should I be patient and get a mig? (considering my obvious lack of knowledge)

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Ok you got the experience, just like ridding a bike or having sex. You never forget, just need practice to get back your game. Go to smaller rod and practice, set a mock up of what you are going to weld and practice and........ Remember clean steel is happy steel no rust or scale and its easier to weld. Use 6012 or 6013 welding rod check with welding supplier,the general welding rod you buy over counter are not good/more of a farm welding for thicker metal rod. I was a high pressure welder in the Navy so I do have the experience.

john winsemius said:

Ok you got the experience, just like ridding a bike or having sex. You never forget, just need practice to get back your game. Go to smaller rod and practice, set a mock up of what you are going to weld and practice and........ Remember clean steel is happy steel no rust or scale and its easier to weld. Use 6012 or 6013 welding rod check with welding supplier,the general welding rod you buy over counter are not good/more of a farm welding for thicker metal rod. I was a high pressure welder in the Navy so I do have the experience.

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:doh:
Bollox, for general auto application you can't be a Mig unit....trust me.

I got stuff said:

:doh:
Bollox, for general auto application you can't be a Mig unit....trust me.

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I trust no one what are your welding credentials? What do you think we used before MIG was invented.
I can train a monkey to mig weld.
And your Bollox comment Fook off You think you being from UK makes you smarter than me/and me being a Yank I don't know anything. When someone knows something I listen so I might learn something. That is why I am on this site to learn about Defenders, and I pm the people with the knowledge to answer my question. And if I can help anyone with there problems I will.

op2:

Cheers for the answers guys,

I always found Mig easier as John says you can teach a monkey to mig weld
but the equipment is so much more expensive to set up. (though an LZ member has PM'd me a possible option to consider)

Arc is not as easy in operation (especially layed under a vehicle) but If thinner rods are good for thinner sheet welds it is tempting as I could afford a better quality welder for my paltry budget.

I'll give it some thought!

john winsemius said:

I trust no one what are your welding credentials? What do you think we used before MIG was invented.
I can train a monkey to mig weld.
And your Bollox comment Fook off You think you being from UK makes you smarter than me/and me being a Yank I don't know anything. When someone knows something I listen so I might learn something. That is why I am on this site to learn about Defenders, and I pm the people with the knowledge to answer my question. And if I can help anyone with there problems I will.

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Get on yer horse an drink yer milk Burdett or ahl run ye outa town. :hysterically_laughi

Dartmoor Discovery said:

Cheers for the answers guys,

I always found Mig easier as John says you can teach a monkey to mig weld
but the equipment is so much more expensive to set up. (though an LZ member has PM'd me a possible option to consider)

Arc is not as easy in operation (especially layed under a vehicle) but If thinner rods are good for thinner sheet welds it is tempting as I could afford a better quality welder for my paltry budget.

I'll give it some thought!

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You have to size the rod to the material. You don't use 3/16 rod at 210 amps designed for 6" armor plate on a defender frame, that is 1/8" thick requiring 3/32 rod at 65 amps.
It's the old adage of the right tool for right the job.

john winsemius said:

You have to size the rod to the material. You don't use 3/16 rod at 210 amps designed for 6" armor plate on a defender frame, that is 1/8" thick requiring 3/32 rod at 65 amps.
It's the old adage of the right tool for right the job.

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so by the time youve fooked around working all that **** out and running to the suppliers and wasteing half aday , i would rather turn a knob on the mig welder and either turn the amps up or down to suit the materials useing i know which i would perfer to do !!!!

robint said:

so by the time youve fooked around working all that **** out and running to the suppliers and wasteing half aday , i would rather turn a knob on the mig welder and either turn the amps up or down to suit the materials useing i know which i would perfer to do !!!!

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This is what makes the world a wonderful place with all different ideas and way of doing things.

Would you use a bolts of a sae of grade3 in place of a bolt being spec-ted for a sae grade 8. The only thing in common is they are bolts.

The real question was can i weld my frame with a acr welder with stick rod because a mig welder is to much money for my budget. So you have got on a rant of what you would do ,with out the knowledge of the original question.

john winsemius said:

This is what makes the world a wonderful place with all different ideas and way of doing things.

Would you use a bolts of a sae of grade3 in place of a bolt being spec-ted for a sae grade 8. The only thing in common is they are bolts.

The real question was can i weld my frame with a acr welder with stick rod because a mig welder is to much money for my budget. So you have got on a rant of what you would do ,with out the knowledge of the original question.

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were all not as full of bull**** oops i mean knowledge like you im not ranting by any means was mearly saying my opion like you have ....... are those the bolts out of your neck by any chance

My advice is buy a second hand Mig through local ads or on ebay or gumtree. Less skill required and can work out just as cheap.

crashbox said:

My advice is buy a second hand Mig through local ads or on ebay or gumtree. Less skill required and can work out just as cheap.

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think your find he,s got a mig now

robint said:

think your find he,s got a mig now

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'tis the only sensible option.

robint said:

were all not as full of bull**** oops i mean knowledge like you im not ranting by any means was mearly saying my opion like you have ....... are those the bolts out of your neck by any chance

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Yep

And looking for a new place for them would you like to bend over

john winsemius said:

Yep

And looking for a new place for them would you like to bend over

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awwwww ill send the big p a pm sure he,ll be interested

Lateral thought - how about signing up for a welding course at your local adult education college (assuming they do one). You`ll get the chance to re-acquaint yourself with ARC and try out mig - and try before you buy has to be a good option plus you are practising all the time.

No brainer init... arc's great but **** fer motas