Quote from: Maddog on January 10, 2014, 11:25:40 PM
Can the mig be gasless? I know the welds look better with gas, but is it not an option to try without just to get you going?

yep you get wire with a flux core

everywhere i read said use gas.. hobbyweld do gas cylinders without rent much cheaper than boc or using disposables...

Yeah, use gas. Disposables are useless, in my experience.

Get a proper bottle, or you're just making life difficult for yourself.

Woohoo,  got my welder from Essex last night.  A lot of miles and it is a big lump. Just got to scrape the money to get the gas and a mask now.
The guy I bought it from runs a company called Essex industrial gases in Maldon.  He advised to not just use co2 but instead a co2 and 5% argon mix, because the co2 on its own breaks down to create a plasma and this then runs very hot...the addition of argon  acts to cool so you can run with less amps... and so more control on thinner metal...less chance of blowing through.

Quote from: ash on January 12, 2014, 10:42:16 AM
Woohoo,  got my welder from Essex last night

Don't say hello then! 

Quote from: Nat on January 12, 2014, 11:02:11 AM

Quote from: ash on January 12, 2014, 10:42:16 AM
Woohoo,  got my welder from Essex last night

Don't say hello then! 

Hi Nat

The closest I got was the park and ride at j18 on the A11. It was a flying visit as I had to also pick up a part for my poorly boiler from Dunstable. .I had to dash back as we had no hot water or central heating and everyone was sat there shivering. I was also within a couple of miles from my sister s place in st Albans,  but the clock was against me

How far are you from there ?

And here it is. I tested it on an old socket (sorry M6) without the gas, and got the full bird shit effect. Seems to have all the bells and whistles on it apart from a Eurotorch conversion...will be doing that if I break this one. It is a big lump...very pleased I got it for £100 though..even if I did have to do a 280 mile round trip to get it.

Quote from: ash on January 12, 2014, 10:42:16 AM
Woohoo,  got my welder from Essex last night.  A lot of miles and it is a big lump. Just got to scrape the money to get the gas and a mask now.
The guy I bought it from runs a company called Essex industrial gases in Maldon.  He advised to not just use co2 but instead a co2 and 5% argon mix, because the co2 on its own breaks down to create a plasma and this then runs very hot...the addition of argon  acts to cool so you can run with less amps... and so more control on thinner metal...less chance of blowing through.

yep have a look at hobbyweld as they sell the rent free bottles with the co2 argon mix..

Quote from: m6rk on January 12, 2014, 03:16:56 PM

Quote from: ash on January 12, 2014, 10:42:16 AM
Woohoo,  got my welder from Essex last night.  A lot of miles and it is a big lump. Just got to scrape the money to get the gas and a mask now.
The guy I bought it from runs a company called Essex industrial gases in Maldon.  He advised to not just use co2 but instead a co2 and 5% argon mix, because the co2 on its own breaks down to create a plasma and this then runs very hot...the addition of argon  acts to cool so you can run with less amps... and so more control on thinner metal...less chance of blowing through.

yep have a look at hobbyweld as they sell the rent free bottles with the co2 argon mix..

How far away are you from Maldon Mark ?

about 45 mins so not too far..

The guy I bought this from has a gas production and bottling plant there (Essex industrial Gases)  . When he fills a 10 litre bottle, he does it to 200 bar (or 2000 litres of gas), When a lot of other suppliers fill their bottles, they only do it to 137bar (or 1370 litres of gas)
If I could get my gas off him, I would but he is just too far away

They probably deliver up your way as well as he said they supply about 1000 pubs in the area, ask for Geoff if you call. He is a really nice chap

http://www.pubgas.com/shop/category/38-welding-gases

ahh cheers for that ash

Still on the hunt for a welder.. but found a welding course down the road so gonna sign myself up

Quote from: m6rk on January 12, 2014, 10:24:20 PM
ahh cheers for that ash

Still on the hunt for a welder.. but found a welding course down the road so gonna sign myself up

Watch that video of a college welding lecture up the thread. They go through principles of Mig welding, and best practice in both it and the follow on one. Should be enough to get you going.

Quote from: ash on January 12, 2014, 11:27:09 PM

Quote from: m6rk on January 12, 2014, 10:24:20 PM
ahh cheers for that ash

Still on the hunt for a welder.. but found a welding course down the road so gonna sign myself up

Watch that video of a college welding lecture up the thread. They go through principles of Mig welding, and best practice in both it and the follow on one. Should be enough to get you going.

That welder of mine sells new for just over £400. It was well worth punt and the trip to pick it up.

What is your budget as the hobby welders for £150 are a bit lacking in finesse. I was shown an inverter welder for about £350 in my local welding supplier (Noz-Alls)...they are being manufactured under their own brand name to their own spec. It had a higher spec than mine but weighed a little over 1/3rd of its weight. They showed me it, and the spec was really very good. I can find out more if you are interested

Having done some reading on http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/ i've narrowed it down to two models

Either a clarke http://www.weldequip.com/clarke-160tm.htm

or if I can find the cash a portamig

http://www.weldequip.com/portamig-mig-welders.htm