Fredxx formulated on Sunday :
"MrFerrous" wrote in message
...
I have a ageing relative who owns a house with a bit of land attached. I
help out with general maintenance tasks when I visit, and although I have
never welded, it looks to me like a welder would be useful addition to my
growing collection of tools. For example:

- The steel gate to the field is suffering from localised but deep rust. It
might be worthwhile to reinforce it in places before repainting it.
- There's a small barn with a steel internal framework. There's localised
severe corrosion. The cost of replacement would probably be much higher
than
the cost of repair.

The existing "good" steel is probably at least 3mm thick. The results of my
welding attempts don't have to be pretty, just strong and cost-effective.

Would one of the temptingly cheap arc welders from Screwfix be a good place
to start learning?


A stick arc welder is difficult to master, though easier when welding thicker
metal.

I disagree, I found stick welding much easier and you need to be less
critical of the result.

It is also a much cheaper option for start up.

Either way, I would certainly suggest an automatic helmet, especially
so for a beginner - it gives massive confidence because it is less of a
juggling act.


A MIG/MAG welder is much easier to use, and if only used occasionally, it's
worth considering using no-gas-wire.

Both will need the rust remove prior to welding, especially for MIG/MAG.

--
Regards,
Harry (M1BYT) (L)
http://www.ukradioamateur.co.uk