ilyabochkov
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- we1234567
Hi,
I am a keen DIYer and like to do things around the house, building staff, improving, etc.
Welding skills is a natural step forward for me to start doing some garden things (like simple fences, planter bases - together with wood working), sheds, etc.
My next big project is a greenhouse. It is quite an odd shape space in my garden, hence has to be custom build. Originally I was thinking of building it from wood, but that, considering the somewhat small size of it (trapezoid of 2*1*2*4 meters) would be too bulky and a bit unsightly.
So I came to an idea of building it form box shaped mild steel profile. So welding frames, doors, windows for it is a natural way of connecting. I am planning of preparing sections of it either on a ground or in my woodworking workshop in my single car garage.
(it has all the necessary electrics - a couple of 16amps sockets with 16 amps type c rcds. If needed I can add a 32 amp socket on a separate rcd - no problem with that (though I do not think I will ever need that much power).
My initial idea was to buy a cheapo welder from some Screwfix-like shop and go ahead with it.
I read the forums, watched the videos and came to the conclusion that I may struggle to use a cheap one, as it requires a lot more skills, while some modern and more advanced welders are easier to use and more forgiving to mistakes.
My first idea was to use stick welding, but it turned out to be not the easiest for a newbie, so I looked at MIG.
I found a few machines that are quite advanced and support both MIG and MMA (for some external rough and structural work, that I am sure I will need anyway).
Then I realised, I may also need to weld Aluminium in some future, so an AC TIG may be a nice addition (my further plans to build a pergola and some other small aluminium structures).
And although there are some debates that separate machines may be a better option (which I am fine with), I thought I may save some space by packing it in all one multi-mode machine.
Thus I came to the aforementioned two Parweld machines, but also to the R-Tech, which althouth does not support AC TIG, may be the first step in welding and then when and if I come to welding aluminium I can buy a proper AC TIG.
The 221 machine caught my eye as it has a plasma cutter in it, which may be handy in steel construction and cutting some bits (or may be "unwelding my mistakes" - if that all possible.
As for the budget, again, my initial thought was to get away with a 100 quid Screwfix-like box, but then after doing some recearch, I realised that the price tag of 1-2-3K would not sound unreasonable, which is a substantial sum of money for me, yet acceptable. Yet if it is not a 100 quid, then I would rather pay a bit more to get some tool that I may enjoy using in future, rather than say buying a 500 quid machine and then constantly regretting of not paying an additional 200-300 quid and sort of being stuck with it: either sell it with a huge discount or throw it away and buy another one - buy cheap - buy twice.
I also realise that I will need to spend some additional money on some decent PPE and consumables (say 200-500).
My question is: those mentioned machines - are they a good choice, or I am a complete idiot, and should buy something completely different (more reliable may be or easier to use)?
May be other suggestions/models? Or decent places to buy. I am in North Northamptoinshire, if that make any difference. But I guess online shops and delivery works nationwide))
Thank you all in advance.
I am a keen DIYer and like to do things around the house, building staff, improving, etc.
Welding skills is a natural step forward for me to start doing some garden things (like simple fences, planter bases - together with wood working), sheds, etc.
My next big project is a greenhouse. It is quite an odd shape space in my garden, hence has to be custom build. Originally I was thinking of building it from wood, but that, considering the somewhat small size of it (trapezoid of 2*1*2*4 meters) would be too bulky and a bit unsightly.
So I came to an idea of building it form box shaped mild steel profile. So welding frames, doors, windows for it is a natural way of connecting. I am planning of preparing sections of it either on a ground or in my woodworking workshop in my single car garage.
(it has all the necessary electrics - a couple of 16amps sockets with 16 amps type c rcds. If needed I can add a 32 amp socket on a separate rcd - no problem with that (though I do not think I will ever need that much power).
My initial idea was to buy a cheapo welder from some Screwfix-like shop and go ahead with it.
I read the forums, watched the videos and came to the conclusion that I may struggle to use a cheap one, as it requires a lot more skills, while some modern and more advanced welders are easier to use and more forgiving to mistakes.
My first idea was to use stick welding, but it turned out to be not the easiest for a newbie, so I looked at MIG.
I found a few machines that are quite advanced and support both MIG and MMA (for some external rough and structural work, that I am sure I will need anyway).
Then I realised, I may also need to weld Aluminium in some future, so an AC TIG may be a nice addition (my further plans to build a pergola and some other small aluminium structures).
And although there are some debates that separate machines may be a better option (which I am fine with), I thought I may save some space by packing it in all one multi-mode machine.
Thus I came to the aforementioned two Parweld machines, but also to the R-Tech, which althouth does not support AC TIG, may be the first step in welding and then when and if I come to welding aluminium I can buy a proper AC TIG.
The 221 machine caught my eye as it has a plasma cutter in it, which may be handy in steel construction and cutting some bits (or may be "unwelding my mistakes" - if that all possible.
As for the budget, again, my initial thought was to get away with a 100 quid Screwfix-like box, but then after doing some recearch, I realised that the price tag of 1-2-3K would not sound unreasonable, which is a substantial sum of money for me, yet acceptable. Yet if it is not a 100 quid, then I would rather pay a bit more to get some tool that I may enjoy using in future, rather than say buying a 500 quid machine and then constantly regretting of not paying an additional 200-300 quid and sort of being stuck with it: either sell it with a huge discount or throw it away and buy another one - buy cheap - buy twice.
I also realise that I will need to spend some additional money on some decent PPE and consumables (say 200-500).
My question is: those mentioned machines - are they a good choice, or I am a complete idiot, and should buy something completely different (more reliable may be or easier to use)?
May be other suggestions/models? Or decent places to buy. I am in North Northamptoinshire, if that make any difference. But I guess online shops and delivery works nationwide))
Thank you all in advance.
