Another - dare I say - Newbie!

[madhouse]

Well, thought I'd better introduce myself, before I go ask a really dumb question elsewhere on the forum....

I've been looking over this forum for a few weeks now, and it is a real wealth of information and help, so I guess it influenced me into taking the plunge and buying my first MIG.

OK, I did the sensible thing first, sorted out protective gear, mask, gloves, fire extinguishers etc, got some gasless wire (can't really use gas at the mo) and then finally got around to getting a MIG welder.

"Oh no" I hear you cry - "not a Wolf Turbo 150"!

Yes, but it was virtually new, and almost a gift, so I thought even if I throw it out after my first roll of wire it's a way to get started!

So its out of its box, sat there waiting for me to "have a go", I've got some steel offcuts to practice on (1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm), and I'm ready to go....

Thats where the questions start, and unusually for me this is the first forum I've ever subscribed to in my life where I can't help anyone else - 'cus my background is electronics & computers!

So I guess I'm reduced to watching and learning unless the mods want to diversify and add some new forum categories!

Anyone need their computer fixing? Meantime I've got a question about that Wolf!

Madhouse......

 

[seanleed]

Welcome along mate, don't expect to get any knowledge out of me though 'cos I haven't got any when it comes to MIG.

 

[alex_holden]

my background is electronics & computers!

Snap!

Do you have any particular project in mind for the welder? A rusty car perhaps?

 

[madhouse]

Do you have any particular project in mind for the welder? A rusty car perhaps?

Yep, got an old Shogun, 89 and absolutely immaculate apart from a section of chassis in front of the rear arch. About the only rust on the entire thing - guess the waxoil didn't meet that bit last time it was done.

Oh, and just been presented with a 1970 beetle which has been hit from the side (just wing and bumper damage) so if I get good enough I may have to have a go at that myself! Although I'm tempted to leave any welding on that to "the professionals"!

 

[lexi]

Welcome! That is an old Shogun as not too many of that age up here in Scotland. Jap fourbys are good but after 10 or 12 yrs the welder has to come out. They make up for it with superb mechanicals. It`s access that is the problem with some chassis repairs on Jap trucks. It`s one of the few areas Landrover scores in that replacement chassis are available at 800 and 1200 quid for long and short wheelbase respectively. Nevermind ANYTHING can be welded with time and patience.
Alex

 

[madhouse]

Fortunately this bit of chassis has plenty of access around it, and once done I hope to get a few more years out of it yet... Its been in the family virtually from new, and even though Mum has sold it twice I've allways been the buyer, and she ends up having it back! Mindyou, it does look absolutely mint for it's age.

She's got a Trooper at the mo, but its not a patch on the old shoggy when it comes to off road or towing, now she's on about a landy but I keep reminding her of the day we moved in to the farm - I went in and towed the SWB landy up and out of the boggy field, then went back and fetched the horse box it was stuck in there with - Piece of P**s. with that Shogun. You should have seen the landy owner's face!