first welder

tommyboy26

I am just finished first year of a mechanical engineering degree and want to learn how to weld over the summer. I have no experience welding at all but have an idea for a project to do over the summer break that requires some welding.


would this be a good welder to start with

https://www.lidl.ie/en/special-offers.htm?articleId=19087

bare in mind that i am a mature student with a family so funds are very very low:o

CJhaughey

Those buzz boxes will work but you will quickly find their duty cycle to be an impediment to decent welding.
They cut out after just a few rods and you will have to wait till it cools down before you can resume welding.
I think you would be better off buying an inverter welder they are more expensive but better to work with, if you can afford one.
What are you welding? If its thin then a gasless mig might be better.

cletus

https://www.lidl.ie/en/special-offers.htm?articleId=19081

Lidl have an inverter welder on the same day, although it is twice the price, at €99

listermint

Would have thought for starter kit something like this would have been more appropriate.

Or go slightly up in price bracket for a kit that can be used with or without gas

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sealey-MIGHTYMIG100-Professional-No-Gas-Welder/dp/B002HMRTV2

tommyboy26

CJhaughey wrote: »

Those buzz boxes will work but you will quickly find their duty cycle to be an impediment to decent welding.
They cut out after just a few rods and you will have to wait till it cools down before you can resume welding.
I think you would be better off buying an inverter welder they are more expensive but better to work with, if you can afford one.
What are you welding? If its thin then a gasless mig might be better.

I am hoping to build a petrol go kart. i was thinking of using 2" box steel for the frame.

cletus wrote: »

https://www.lidl.ie/en/special-offers.htm?articleId=19081

Lidl have an inverter welder on the same day, although it is twice the price, at €99

whats the difference in an inverter?

cletus

tommyboy26 wrote: »

I am hoping to build a petrol go kart. i was thinking of using 2" box steel for the frame.

This might be of interest
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLNp7TZf13Bq51vSFATcTj2TF-Rduvh5Sy

whats the difference in an inverter?

Here's a fairly thorough explanation

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/inverter-welders-what-inverter-welder-inverter-welders-explained

CJhaughey

You will find those small buzz box welders will very easily heat and burn though thin steel, their amperage control is pretty poor and they stick and heat up and cut out.
Inverters tend to be easier to use and the more you pay the better featured they are, I appreciate that funds are low but wastiing 50 on something that will just annoy and discourage you from welding is not a good use of money.
A gasless mig isn't much more and will produce decent welds but tend to be sparky and not that nice to use, gas fed migs are a lot better to weld with but require regular gas refills if used on a regular basis.
I feel that its better to buy a decent welder when you get enough money together, buying a machine that cuts out after 2 rods will be tedious to weld with if you have a lot of welding to do, inverters tend to be better in terms of duty cycle than transformers especially if they are air cooled transformer welders.
You will also need a decent pair of gloves and a helmet, handheld shields are last century especially if you are trying to tack something awkward and want to hold it as you tack.
Newer shields are solar powered self darkening and are a joy to use.
Personally I'd save up and buy a kit like this :
https://wholesaleweldingsupplies.ie/index.php?route=product/product&path=831_69_649&product_id=4677
It has a decent warranty as well, 3 years return to base.

tommyboy26

thanks for all the advice. i think i will pass on the lidl one and try save for a better one