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Arc, Mig or Gas less Mig, That is the question
darrens - 21/4/07 at 11:15 AM

As above which one, ruled out arc to a degree but can't decide on Mig or Gasless Mig. It's not going to be used allot just the odd thing.

Anyone any recommedations


britishtrident - 21/4/07 at 11:19 AM

If you are welding outside in windy conditions gasless has adavantages BUT it the welds are less clean than with argon/co2 mix, it also produces a fair ammount of spatter ( but it is less adherent than spatter from a co2 mig).

Also the area around the weld gets coated in flux deposits which need wire brushed off.


ghuncha - 21/4/07 at 11:57 AM

well was about to post the same question....

well i cant get my hand on any type of mig over here, so can a arch do the job of chassis fabrication...


blakep82 - 21/4/07 at 12:00 PM

mig.

that is all


i've had gasless, the welds are alright for tacking things together, but i wouldn't do any structural welding with it. the welds are pretty messy too. wire is very expensive (£36 per kg from halfords, compared to about £2 per kg for normal wire)

mig, yes you need to think about the gas, but it's fairly cheap

[Edited on 21/4/07 by blakep82]

[Edited on 21/4/07 by blakep82]


turbodisplay - 21/4/07 at 12:12 PM

MIG, but buy a good one. Bought a cheap one (£150). Thought my welding was poor, got a clarke 175te MIG a few days ago. Perfect welds!

The cheaper ones have very poor motors that judder under load, so the weld is porous and messy.

Darrren


Fatgadget - 21/4/07 at 12:21 PM

You need years and years of experience to arc weld properly.


zetec7 - 21/4/07 at 02:24 PM

Mig with gas. You'll never look back...


dave r - 21/4/07 at 03:59 PM

i have stick, mig and tig

mostly use the tig


ecosse - 21/4/07 at 04:01 PM

Gasless is fine if you buy the right stuff, and it can work out cheaper depending on how much welding you do (machine mart 5kg = £43) but as said the welds are messier (spatter) and it takes more practice to get a good weld, but its no less effective than using co2 IMO.
If going with gas though don't use the disposable bottles, costs a bloody fortune!

Cheers

Alex


robertst - 21/4/07 at 05:10 PM

i'm doing fine with my arc welder.... i would have loved to use a MIG though...

i went for arc as (in the true locost spirit) it was the cheapest option, and MIG ones here cost a fortune.

arc's fine, but i do reccommend a MIG, if you see what i mean


darrens - 22/4/07 at 07:24 PM

cheers for all replies, looks like mig is in favour


dsapsfo1 - 24/4/07 at 08:54 AM

Many of the MIGs will now run with or without gas, depending on the wire you use and changing the polarity on the machine - you can then choose which is most appropriate, depending on conditions etc.


NS Dev - 25/4/07 at 12:01 PM

quote:
Originally posted by turbodisplay
MIG, but buy a good one. Bought a cheap one (£150). Thought my welding was poor, got a clarke 175te MIG a few days ago. Perfect welds!

The cheaper ones have very poor motors that judder under load, so the weld is porous and messy.

Darrren


GOOD ADVICE!!!!

save your money up and buy a good one.......

a cheap mig will really pee you off, trust me!