Welder currently in Lidl

canhefixit

Lidl have a welder in at the min and I was wondering does anyone know if it is any good?

I know nothing about them so any feedback would be good!

JP 1800

It depends on what you want to use it for, as it is an arc welder its uses are limited to heavy gauge steel

canhefixit

JP 1800 wrote: »

It depends on what you want to use it for, as it is an arc welder its uses are limited to heavy gauge steel

I was thinking maybe using it for fixing exhaust, body panels and was thinking about making a workshop with a steel frame maybe 2" box would this do the job?

JP 1800

The welder would only be of use really for box section, for the other jobs a MIG welder is needed, a mig welder is a better all round tool as it will do everything on your list.

canhefixit

JP 1800 wrote: »

The welder would only be of use really for box section, for the other jobs a MIG welder is needed, a mig welder is a better all round tool as it will do everything on your list.

Cheers!

maidhc

JP 1800 wrote: »

The welder would only be of use really for box section, for the other jobs a MIG welder is needed, a mig welder is a better all round tool as it will do everything on your list.

You can't beat an arc for some jobs. For the cost of the Lidl one you cannot go wrong. A decent mig is going to be 10 times the price!

randy hickey

maidhc wrote: »

You can't beat an arc for some jobs. For the cost of the Lidl one you cannot go wrong. A decent mig is going to be 10 times the price!

Not necessarily.

http://www.wholesaleweldingsupplies.ie/index.php?route=product/category&path=43_81_583

maidhc

randy hickey wrote: »

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Not necessarily.

http://www.wholesaleweldingsupplies.ie/index.php?route=product/category&path=43_81_583

250+VAT+gas compared to the Lidl welder which is what €50-80?

I'm not too far off, and besides I think people are much better off learning to use an arc properly first.

Stella Virgo

more migs here :-)...
http://www.jebbtools.ie/welding/mig-welders-ireland

randy hickey

OP, if you want a good all-round welder that you can use on cars, then it's not going to be an arc welder.

Have a look at this forum for loads of helpful advice on the topic;

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php

pred racer

maidhc wrote: »

250+VAT+gas compared to the Lidl welder which is what €50-80?

I'm not too far off, and besides I think people are much better off learning to use an arc properly first.

+1 Arc welder is great for heavier stuff, it is possible to weld an exhaust with an arc welder but its very very difficult

randy hickey wrote: »

OP, if you want a good all-round welder that you can use on cars, then it's not going to be an arc welder.

Have a look at this forum for loads of helpful advice on the topic;

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/index.php

I have an Arc welder, are those gasless migs any good? Ive been told (bar stool type conversations) that without the gas they are useless. But at the prices you posted above I'd be tempted to go for one.

randy hickey

pred racer wrote: »

+1 Arc welder is great for heavier stuff, it is possible to weld an exhaust with an arc welder but its very very difficult



I have an Arc welder, are those gasless migs any good? Ive been told (bar stool type conversations) that without the gas they are useless. But at the prices you posted above I'd be tempted to go for one.

Taken from http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/buying.htm ;

There's a page about gasless welding, but in summary you can't see what you are doing, it spatters a lot, and needs the slag brushing off before painting. On the positive side it can be used outdoors in the wind just as effectively as indoors, and the weld quality and strength is OK once you get the hang of it.

Things become easier with gas shielding. You can see the weld pool, the welds are neater, there is less spatter. The disadvantages are the cost of gas for occasional users, and the need for wind shielding if welding outside.

sean1141

I bought one last year.. Pretty crap tbh but for 50quid i wasn't expecting much.. It cuts out after using 1 rod and you will be waiting about half an hour before it restarts..

Keep your 50 and put it towards a decent invertor welder

maidhc

sean1141 wrote: »

Keep your 50 and put it towards a decent invertor welder

Ids suggest this as a good starter welder
http://www.caulfieldindustrial.com/esab-buddy-arc-180-amp-inverter-stick--tig-welder/p-e13489pd.html

It wont weld anything on car mind, but I don't think you should anyway until you have a lot of practice anyway!

NuckingFacker

canhefixit wrote: »

I was thinking maybe using it for fixing exhaust, body panels and was thinking about making a workshop with a steel frame maybe 2" box would this do the job?

Don't bother. It does make a good weight for holding down the corner of a tent though. If you really want to use an arc welder to weld thin stuff, buy an inverter with a good low down output and use 1.6mm Fincord rods - if an arc is all you will have. If it's a welder, any welder, and it's sub €500, it cost sub €100 to make, so if you want a €500 welder, buy a €1500 welder, if you want a €1500 welder, buy a €3500 welder. If you see what I mean.

I have a Kempi Inverter, tiny and dear - it will happily weld the thinnest material going as well as the thickest. If you're outdoors, arc is great as wind has no effect. Indoors, reach for a mig. If you're buying a mig, only look at the feed rollers - they tell all, the rest is just puff. If the top roller is held down with a "clamp" arrangement and is just an idler/tensioner (look for a simple bearing in the middle and no drive going to it- it's dirt. You need positive power going to both top and bottom rollers and preferably two top and two bottom. Simple rule of thumb, but effective in picking a machine.

The "no gas" Migs(flux-cored wire) are marketed as great for beginners, fact is it's the opposite - gasless is for experienced welders or the results will be weak, spattery and dirt - also it takes a very good machine to run it smoothly and provide a stable arc - go for one that uses gas and has a nice wire feeder. And get an auto-darkening mask.