On Sun, 6 Sep 2020 18:35:52 +0100 (GMT+01:00), Jimk
wrote:

Cursitor Doom Wrote in message:
On Sun, 6 Sep 2020 15:43:27 +0100, newshound
wrote:

I gave away an inherited transformer stick welder before I bought the
MIG, I couldn't do a thing with it which is doubtless down to my lack of
technique.

I did manage to fix a (non structural) hole in a Diahatsu panel once
with gasless MIG. Not terribly neatly. I've done better on more
favourable materials though.

TBH I have not had the MIG out since I bought a little Lidl inverter
welder for stick, I've been surprised how well I can re-fill the holes I
sometimes make with it. As the You-tube videos for the generic ones
confirm, the displayed amps are a bit optimistic but it's fine for one
stick size down from the claimed maximum. Definitely a nice toy to have.

But these days the cars go to a mate who owns a garage.


It's still very handy to have a heafty arc welder, though. I keep a
trolley-mounted 320 Amp Olympic oil cooled job made in England in 1973
(and still going strong) in the workshop for the big stuff. You can't
beat it for heavy structural work like RSJs. I know you can do thick
plate with MIG, but to match the penetrating power of a stick welder
at that end of the scale you'd have to spend a small fortune on a MIG
big enough to cut the mustard.


240v where you are?

Yup, but it can be unreliable at times so I have a gennie which does
single and 3 phase.