Beginner

[Rachael Shreeve]

Hi, I have just found your forum, and finding it very useful and interesting, especially Frankenstein's daughter, I would like a go at sometime similar. Can any one point me in the direction of the best place to buy electrodes and steel in the Cumbrian area? Looking forward to getting involved in the forum, I am sure it will be very useful.
Rachael : )

 

[eSCHEn]

Hi Rachael and welcome

Thomas Graham have a depots in Kendal and Carlisle as well as a couple others - http://www.thomas-graham.co.uk/about-us they're usually pretty decent. Carlisle store is much larger than Kendal one but if you're only after basics then either should be fine

A few folk round your area on here, hopefully one will be able to advise if anything closer/better

 

[pedrobedro]

Hello and cumbriasteve might be your best bet for help round there (the clue is in his name )

 

[gordon stephenson]

Welcome Rachael, Totally agree with the previous post.

 

[cumbriasteve]

Hi Rachael and welcome to the forum.

You are out there in the wilds of Cumbria so I am not familiar with what suppliers you have locally.

Here in Whitehaven I use Franklin steel, very decent prices but they are 53 miles from you and that's the nearest of their three depots.

http://www.franklinsteelplc.co.uk/

Even though that's are a fair bit away it may be worth giving them a ring, they are a major supplier in Cumbria so it is possible they drive over Shap way on a regular basis.

For electrodes I bought my last box off ebay, even with the 'free' postage which is never really free, it's just hidden in the price, it was cheaper than the local stockists.

 

[Kent]

Often people forget that if your in the South lakes your way nearer to Lancaster than Carlisle
@dantaylor he might know better south Cumbria
Where about in Cumbria?

 

[cumbriasteve]

Often people forget that if your in the South lakes your way nearer to Lancaster than Carlisle
@dantaylor he might know better south Cumbria
Where about in Cumbria?

Shap

 

[Bill Edwards]

Wherever you buy from the brand of rod you choose can make a huge difference to the welds, don't skimp for the couple of quid a box you may save.

Good brands include Phoenix, GYS, Murex, Bohler and ESAB. Brands to avoid include Super6, Parweld and anything from places such as Machine Mart.

 

[Rachael Shreeve]

Hi, thanks for all your helpful advice and so quick! brilliant ! - I will try out the places you suggest. I have my 90 year old uncle staying with me at the moment who used to teach metal work years ago, and he is trying to suggest ways for me to improve my welding (there is rather a lot of scope for that!). and I am looking forward to making something worth posting to show you all !

 

[pedrobedro]

You can get white box rods and drop on a good batch. Our local supplier maintains a lot of them are made in the same factory as the branded ones.

 

[Rachael Shreeve]

Well what an exciting day - I won a Oxford RT 180 on ebay (after totally overloading my little fan cooled welder) and now need to wire it from 3 phase to single phase - does anyone happen to have a nice simple picture of which wire I need to change over? I can follow simple instructions! but need to know which connector to wire to. Would appreciate any help from you guys out there - Looking forward to hearing from you and getting it all fired up : )

 

[cumbriasteve]

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/threads/oxford-bantam-180-single-phase-wire-up-question.30193/

 

[AdrianH]

A few points to note on the RT 180, lift the levers before trying to turn them to the required setting. Try to put the welder on its own circuit and be prepared for it to take the breaker out when you switch it on, this may not be a fault but just the in-rush current to the transformer.

If you can have it on it's own breaker then all the better.

If you have a friendly electrician, wire it into a circuit with a I guess C rated 16 Amp breaker on one of the Blue plug and sockets, think they can do 16 amps, but others will say if they can or can not.

You will not need to use it's full potential, probably around 120 to 130 amps, they give a nice smooth arc when you gain the knack with them. 2,5 and 3.5 6013 will be your general rod.

I actually buy rods from Highland Industrial supplies www.hisltd.co.uk I have found them to be the cheapest.

I had an Oxford RT 180 heavy, with wheels, would just weld all day, had some bad contacts when I first got it but contacts should still be available, and I hope you got long ish leads with it.

Welcome to the forum and happy safe welding.

Adrian

 

[Bill Edwards]

The 180a oil cooled I use at work is on a 32a plug and needs it.
These usually have a high volts (less amps) setting which will run most 7018 rods and a low volt which goes up to 180 amps which is only really able to run 6013.

 

[ned]

hi there and welcome to the forum, can I ask please, whats Frankenstein's daughter ? did a serach but didnt turn up anything.

 

[Robotstar5]

whats Frankenstein's daughter ? did a serach but didnt turn up anything.

Probably Bride of Frankenstein thread?

 

[blenkie1]

Hi Rachael and welcome

Thomas Graham have a depots in Kendal and Carlisle as well as a couple others - http://www.thomas-graham.co.uk/about-us they're usually pretty decent. Carlisle store is much larger than Kendal one but if you're only after basics then either should be fine

A few folk round your area on here, hopefully one will be able to advise if anything closer/better

Agree probably your best bet. Carlisle branch is new and big. Service can be a bit hit or miss. Promised to get me a rage saw. 6 weeks later I ordered it from tesco and it arrived the next day! A lot of stuff you can get 30% discount but you need to watch as they charge you full price at the till if you don't say! Also Thomas proctors in Carlisle smaller but seem more friendly and helpful.

Like Cumbriasteve said Franklin steel as well. Usually get all my steel from there.

 

[Arclikeharrypotter]

Ainscough metals in Wigan are very good. Key welding in St Helens also good for electrodes. Know they are a little far but good prices and if you stock up then it's a once in a blue moon trip.

 

[addjunkie]

Ive used thomas proctor a few times, find them helpful.