I popped into Lidl today for some bits and pieces and saw they have their 40-80A arc welder on sale again in a few days. They had a billboard outside with the item featured with a bearded bloke welding bits of box section together - with the mask they chuck in and with bare arms, as I recall. Anyway, I did a double-take. The bloke was pictured welding one side of the box section, out of view, but the other side was on view and it was a pigeon **** weld, just about the same as you show there, but without the rust. Furthermore, there was another bit of weld on the same bit of box section, it was just a short stringer, but it was just the same quality. The box section didn't seem very clean either.
Hmmmm, it could be honesty in advertising, or more likely their photographer isn't up to much. Usually in these pictures you see the happy householder welding something, but you can't see the weld and there's a general air of well-being and that this £40 purchase could enable you to do things that the householder who hadn't been so adventurous as to make this purchase could only look at in awe.
Their website doesn't show that particular picture, just a photo of the welder. I tried to find it on the web but couldn't and I didn't have my digital camera with me. If your travels take you past Lidl, look out for it, it's a gas.
At least, according to the ads, there are no rods this time. They are selling a set of grip clamps for a fiver. They are not exactly welding clamps and the heat tends to warp them, but sometimes you need a small clamp to get into tight place and for £1.66 each they are not too shabby.
Mod:edited for language
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