Bitten of more than I can chew?

[BBD]

Hi all...

I'm new to welding, but really want to build a trailer, originally I was going to bolt it together but thought better of it so deciding to weld it.

I've done a load of research into the trailer and know exactly what I want, done loads of calculations, changed numerous stuff and done a few drawings etc. I'm confident in what I want to build BUT only problem I see is that I can't weld lol...

Pulled trigger today and ordered metal, made sure specs for drawbar will pass IVA etc, In all fairness there seems to be a load of miss-information on the net about getting a home built trailer tested and what is needed, the info on VOSA's website is very helpful. I will be submitting it for the test.

Now I've got the metal ordered (they're sending me a load of off cuts for free to learn lol) I need to get a welder, pretty much decided to get an arc welder, don't want to spend loads, around £100, £200 at a push. Metal I've got coming is mostly 3mm and a couple of 5mm pieces. I've been looking at this site for a week or so looking for tips (love the tutorials) and recommendation but don't seem to come to a conclusion on what unit to buy. But say I buy one of those tinting helmets (about £50) I'm happy to spend £100 - £150 on arc welder and around that price I keep coming back to Clarke machines and I know there are better.

I've got a month to build the thing, what are my chances or have I bitten off more than I can chew ? (most welds will be 50 mm long, how hard can it be)

p.s. always wanted to weld.. lol

 

[penfold]

Read the arc welding how-to on here, get lots of extra metal and practise until you're sick of it. Then think about welding your trailer together; you're making a safety-critical device which you will put heavy things in and tow behind a car at up to 60mph, it needs to be done right. For what you're wanting to do a Clarke welder will do fine, I'd strongly advise getting an auto helmet as it makes all kinds of welding much easier.

 

[BrokenBiker]

a month to learn to weld proficiently and build a trailer to pass an SVA test? I would say you are pushing it unless you are a fast learner and a fast worker.

for 200 quid you can get a brand new 160 amp inverter from weld equip which is more than capable of your trailer build

 

[Wendelspanswick]

(most welds will be 50 mm long, how hard can it be)

That only gives you 50mm to get it right!
Try to plan your work so that all your welds are done on the flat, try and avoid vertical welds.
You will also need a decent chipping hammer, not the rubbish one you get free with the welder. A small chisel and punch are also useful for removing slag inclusions.
Cut your steel accurately and try and get a good fit up so that you don't have to try and fill gaps with the rod.
If you cock a joint up grind it out and start again, don't try and weld over it as the slag inclusion will just keep bubbling up through.
Oh and good luck, post some pics when you start welding and we will try and point you in the right direction.

 

[Richard07]

Where abouts are you? Maybe if you could find some one near by to show you some basics that would help. I spent my first week learning how to start and maintain an arc!

 

[BBD]

Cut your steel accurately and try and get a good fit up so that you don't have to try and fill gaps with the rod.

I obviously got a million questions and that was one of them, ie if I was better to leave a small gap like 1mm or butt the 2 pieces of metal together.

Where abouts are you? Maybe if you could find some one near by to show you some basics that would help. I spent my first week learning how to start and maintain an arc!

I'm not far from Skipton...

I'm kind of looking at it from the point of view that it will take x number of hours to learn the basics and I can fit my work around whatever time it will need. So I can do it all day long if needed.


Trying to order a welder today but still can't decide grrr.

 

[BrokenBiker]

if you want a stick welder i highly reccomend the parweld xti160. Its the cheapest inverter i found and it is a brilliant little machine.

as for the gap, welding 3mm i would leave a 1mm gap but you ha e to practice this joint as it is easy to lose the puddle and blow through.

you may think it will take x amount of hours to learn. But that will soon change. I picked up how to start and maintain the arc within minutes, took me nearly a fortnight to get consistent and correct rod angle, and travel speed whilst just running beads. Then when you try and weld a joint it all changes as you now have to concentrate on both prices melting in together, fusing the root of the weld and traveling fast enough to keep the heat input minimal whilst also depositing enough metal to make a good weld.

the hardest thing to pick up is keeping a tight and consistent arc length as the rod is constantly getting shorter so you have to feed in at the same rate it is burning away. This rate changes with different amps, different sized rods etc