On 13/11/18 21:48, newshound wrote:
On 13/11/2018 19:34, Tim Watts wrote:
On 13/11/18 18:19, Chris wrote:
Hi all,

Realistically, what is the thinnest gauge of steel one can
satisfactorily
weld using an arc (stick) welder before blowing holes makes it next to
impossible? (I'm not talking about some time-served, fully skilled,
coded
bloke with all the certification; just an experienced DIYer.)

ta


A mate I know could do 2mmm with relative ease (Landrover chassis) but
1mm was tricky if possible at all.

Does it have to be stick? MIG is very easy even for a careful novice
to get a half decent weld on thin metal.


I can't do thin stuff with MIG, I end up squirting a length of wire
through the hole that I've just made. I do much better with an inverter
and rods. (This is the little £90 chinese unit from Lidl).

It's also dependent on the MIG machine. Me and another mate co purchased
a Cebora MIG - not expensive, but used real CO2 gas (not gasless) and it
was a joy to use. I taught myself and I could get some pretty nice weld
beads on 1-2mm metal. I successfully welded up my mum's disability
scooter (3-4mm metal) too with careful grinding to a bevel and multiple
passes).

Smooth wire feed seems to be the key, followed by a good range of
current control.

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