Welding Machine advice

[kosmonooit]

I'm in the market for a new Arc Welding machine for home DIY use (not Inert gas or anything fancy)

 

Had one of those old skool Oil bath transfomer types before, but now looking at semiconductor DC Inverter type, big advantage that they are so light.

 

Been looking at the Builders Warehouse, Mega Mica (Eastgate) and also at the Adendorff catalog. All seem same brands that dont mean much to me, about R1800 for a 220W 7kW (single phase)

 

Anyone with any experience with these welders or this technology? Brands and sources? I am not looking for the cheapest but a good product, happy to go with a pro product if I could find one.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Sawdust]

You would hardly ever need more than 160amps. Matweld, Thermodyne or even Eurasia is fine. Look for the best price. They are pretty much all the same. Makro sold them for R1600 some time ago, it might even be less now.

[Slowbee]

, you want to weld your bike ?

[kosmonooit]

, you want to weld your bike ?

 

no silly like I said its home DIY: fences etc. Going to be building in Hogsback in the not too distant future so its going to be very useful down there.

 

To weld Al you need a TIG welder which is 10x the price, and best left to the pros.

 

Thanks sawdust will go past Makro.

Edited February 2, 2011 by kosmonooit

[Slowbee]

no silly like I said its home DIY: fences etc. Going to be building in Hogsback in the not too distant future so its going to be very useful down there.

 

To weld Al you need a TIG welder which is 10x the price, and best left to the pros.

 

Thanks sawdust will go past Makro.

 

 

what size property you buy and where in Hogs ?

[DaLoCo]

I'm in the market for a new Arc Welding machine for home DIY use (not Inert gas or anything fancy)

 

Had one of those old skool Oil bath transfomer types before, but now looking at semiconductor DC Inverter type, big advantage that they are so light.

 

Been looking at the Builders Warehouse, Mega Mica (Eastgate) and also at the Adendorff catalog. All seem same brands that dont mean much to me, about R1800 for a 220W 7kW (single phase)

 

Anyone with any experience with these welders or this technology? Brands and sources? I am not looking for the cheapest but a good product, happy to go with a pro product if I could find one.

 

Thanks in advance.

 

Look for a 160 A inverter welder, not the aircooled welders. They are a lot lighter, will weld up to 4mm rods with ease, and draws a lot less power. The inverter will not trip your power at all, where-as you probably have first hand knowledge of the havoc an oil welder will cause.

 

Expect to pay around R1600 to R2200, and the MAkro brands are fine as the technology is sound. The nice thing is that it is about the size of two stacked shoe boxes, so hanging it of it's shoulder strap and welding at the top of a ladder is also possible. I used to have one when I was still working construction, so I know how verstaile it is. It will also weld with inert gas, like argon if you have all the goodies.

[kosmonooit]

Slowbee take a look at my spot here

 

Last stop on the Plaatjies Kraal road, mtb heaven!

Edited February 2, 2011 by kosmonooit

[SeeKooigaap]

I bought an einhell 140 amp dc inverter welder from makro for about R899.00 on special.

It can handle up to a 2.5mm rod( good enough for most diy).

 

I have used it for making burgular bars, steel bed repairs,welded palasade fencing and even repaired my guitar stand with it etc with no problems.

 

do yourself a favour and by a decent welding helmet and gloves.The Helmet supplied with the kit is crappy.

 

Cheers

Gary

[Slowbee]

Slowbee take a look at my spot here

 

Last stop on the Plaatjies Kraal road, mtb heaven!

 

so Mr Kosmo man. I hear you are looking for a new best friend ........ ?