Cheap MIG welder at Supacheap auto

[mike-s]

I picked up a cheap 100Amp MIG welder yesterday for $159 (Reduced from $199) from supacheap Auto as a Christmas present to myself.

It is just a gasless model, but once i worked out how to use it (A big help was this tutorial) and after about 4 hours of mucking about with it yesterday and this morning, I seemed to get some half decent results. If anyone is interested in picking up doing this sort of thing, then getting this one seems like a decent first step to take, especially as it has a 10Amp socket. I also have a stick welder, but despite a number of attempts, i just couldn't get the hang of it and certainly need more practice in using it.


That's what i got with it after 4 hours practice, having never used mig before in my life.

[Sulli]

so you pushin or pullin the weld ?

[mike-s]

Pulling usually, it seems to do the stack-of-coins nicely when you do that, but seems alright still when it's pushed, just slightly flatter.

[h.b.bear]

with a mig you are suspose to push and with a stick you pull,its better when weld is flat as it sreads over the join giving it a better hold and if grinding you wont have as much to grind.try angling the hand piece at different angles as you will find with a mig it will do a better job with handpiece more verticle than when you have it tilted.I havent used a gasless one before so it may be different,if so disregard my bullshit but remember practice makes perfect

[StuMiller]

Push with gas wire, pull with gasless wire. If you're using gas wire on light gauge mild steel, Argoshield Light will give you the best results. Cigweld do a great gasless wire. I think it's called Supercore 15, available in .6mm and .8mm and in minispools....
Hope that helps!


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-42.818184,147.608189

[mike-s]

Heh, That's the wire I'm using, supercore 15 0.8mm on a minispool. I also have a spool of 0.9mm, though I'm thinking of taking it back and getting another 0.8 as i don't believe my machine can take 0.9mm. I tried for a while to use the wire that came with the welder, it along with wire feed speed seemed to be part of the problem I was having. The spatter reduced noticeably when i changed the wire.

I might try and use the came-with wire later once I've gotten the hang of it to see how much of a limiting factor it was in getting the hang of it.

As to the metal I'm practising on, It's a 8x40x1cm sheet of steel i was given (i have another one of similar thickness but much larger size to muck with too). I have practised on some 3mm stuff too, and gotten good/full penetration there, but i have significantly less material to play with. Still, I'm happy practising on this and only getting welds that are about 1/3 to 1/4 penetration into the metal as it is only being used to learn.

[StuMiller]

If you change the wire size for a larger diameter, you may need to change the torch liner, drive roller and maybe the tips on your torch. Spares maybe an issue if you burn your tips etc.... If you need a hand, feel free to PM me.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-42.818109,147.608254

[mike-s]

i have bought a bundle of tips for 8mm & 9. ill take the .9's back tomorrow and exchange for 6's or 8's.

[StuMiller]

Cool, let me know if you need a hand.


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I am here: http://maps.google.com/maps?ll=-42.818065,147.608326

[JimZXR]

Sorry for reigniting this thread but I'm considering buying a small home welder for making up a subframe for my Streetfighter and am looking for advice on the most cost effective way to get a welder that'll do the job and last for what I need it for.
Have spotted the ones in Supercheap and am tempted to pick one up but would prefer something that can also do gas aswell as gas less for when in getting my hand back into it.
Any recommendations welcome.

[MKY]

You will need the next level of welder if you want to weld aluminium, maybe better with a tig

[bonester]

Was at cash converters yesterday. Lots of near new welders at $200 or so.

[JimZXR]

Which one?

[bonester]

Toowoomba, but they are probably all similar, except the Adelaide store sells cars (!)

[Stevojumps]

Toowoomba, but they are probably all similar, except the Adelaide store sells cars (!)

For more than they are new