Anyone bought this welder in Aldi?

jack of all

I'm thinking of upgrading from the cheapie 13 amp non-cooled welding kit I've owned for the past 12 years. Has anyone any experience of this kit from Aldi:
http://www.aldi.ie/ie/html/offers/special_buys3_24115.htm

Looks like decent value, fan cooled and comes with a 5 year guarantee. I'm a very occasional amateur welder and generally only break out the gear for repairs etc; any opinions on this offer? Thanks

slimjimmc

Seems it was on sale in the UK a year ago and discussed on hukd.

Note the ad says it's a 8KW unit and that the "Unit not suitable for standard domestic 13 Amp power socket".
You may need a 32A or 40A supply since 8KW @ 230V is about 34A which is far too high for a standard 13A socket.

jack of all

Thanks for reply, will look at that ;link. Power supply is not a problem have access to a suitable workshop space to use it.

CJhaughey

I have one the same without the fan-cooling, I run it off a standard 13 amp plug all the time with no problems.
I don't know what the fan-cooled one is like but I can only run 1 2.5mm stick before it cuts out from overheating and takes about 10 minutes to cool down.
TBH If I was buying a welder again, I'd spend double the money and buy a small inverter welder rather than that one.

jameshayes

Thread hijack....

on the same day they are selling the welder, they are selling a reciprocating saw, an electric one (710w) does anyone know if they are any use?

I've used a cordless hilti one before and it was pretty snazzballs

jack of all

CJhaughey wrote: »

I don't know what the fan-cooled one is like but I can only run 1 2.5mm stick before it cuts out from overheating and takes about 10 minutes to cool down.
TBH If I was buying a welder again, I'd spend double the money and buy a small inverter welder rather than that one.

Yeah, I'm having second thoughts about this to be honest. I'm surprised your unit cuts out after only one 2.5mm stick. The 13A unit I currently have is not fan cooled and has rarely cut out on me. Don't know anything about inverter welders, must check it out. Thanks for the feedback.

Pottler

jameshayes wrote: »

Thread hijack....

on the same day they are selling the welder, they are selling a reciprocating saw, an electric one (710w) does anyone know if they are any use?

I've used a cordless hilti one before and it was pretty snazzballs

They're crap. The ones in Lidl(green) are excellent - actually cut better than the Hilti believe it or not(I've both). Regarding the welder, it's a toy, simple as. Spend a bit more and buy a good one, you'll get more use out of it and it will be nicer to use. They do make excellent door-stops though, which is all they're fit for.

jack of all

I went in to have a look at it in the flesh today, decided against it when I looked into what wiring I'd need to run it. I thought it'd be ok running off the 16 amp supply but obviously not. Hard to know who's going to be buying these units really. Think I'll save up for a nice inverter, any ideas what brands to look at?

CJhaughey

jack of all wrote: »

I went in to have a look at it in the flesh today, decided against it when I looked into what wiring I'd need to run it. I thought it'd be ok running off the 16 amp supply but obviously not. Hard to know who's going to be buying these units really. Think I'll save up for a nice inverter, any ideas what brands to look at?

The Sealey xmas catalogue has 80amp inverters for 129+vat at the moment.
also 100 amp gasless Mig for 181.95 +vat.

Richard tea

After a few months of sitting up in the shed I finally tried out the Aldi welder today. I fitted a normal 3 pin plug to it and off I went. Lets just say it will be a good while before I attempt any project. I didnt push it, I only put the amp up to about 90 I think. I know some lads mentioned that 120 amp or above can cause problems. I will at some stage get a proper connection fitted for the welder but in the mean time for just 15 mins of practicing on scrap metal the 13amp socket will do.

In the excitement of seeing sparks fly I completely forgot about ventilation
I used one of the smallest rods for about 4 minutes and even at that I have a metal taste in my throat. I had a fan and all set up for ventilation but just forgot to switch it on. Ah well off to youtube with me now for more info and tips.

MikeSoys

ive one of those havent used it yet...you thinking of getting a adequate ---
I got a 160A Turbo Fan Cooled Arc Welder and was thinking I could use it fully if I got a 32 amp plug installed at the farm house9or a 30A FUSED SPUR...thingy).. - it's a old farmhouse and still has the old plug connections from when the esb put electricity to the house.. The house electricity is really only used for house lights like parlour, kitchen and yard light etc...

I'm just wondering what would people expect to pay to get a 32 amp connection installed near the fuse box so i could hook up a adequate extension cable 5-10 meters out in the yard for welding?...

I would like to get someone who is genuinely qualified/certified for doing electrical work [rather then joe bloggs who is a handy man and can hack a solution together] - so assume they would be more expensive?...any advice ...cavan region....