Hello from Newtongrange

[paulandliz]

Hi All

My name is Paul, and live with my wife Liz (yes, the user name probably gave that away!) in Newtongrange, near Edinburgh.

I took a night school course in basic welding a couple of years ago as I have a few classic Minis I am looking to restore, and have in fact been working on one today.

My welding experience is rudimentary to say the least, but always believe the best way to get better at something is to roll your sleeves up (but not WHILE using a MIG!) and practice. I am learning a fair bit as I go, especially around settings, preparation & patience!

I bought a fairly simple Clarke gas Mig from Machine Mart and I find this does me fine. It uses the rubbishy wee bottles but aside from capacity they are not really too much of a handicap.

Looking forward to using the forum and picking up some tips and advice along the way

Paul

 

[cumbriasteve]

Welcome to the forum and time to dump the disposables.

There are cheaper alternatives now with gas, firstly you could use Co2 ..pub bottle size, works ok and many people using it or find an independant gas supplier in the area.

I have both, the CO2 costs £13 a year to rent and same to fill, my large Argon/Co2 is £32 to rent and £30 to fill, that has lasted me nearly a year..just over a £1 a week.

 

[Springerdinger]

Hi and welcome

Its a great forum with loads of useful and helpful threads
I would second the argon co2 mix less splatter than co2 which made life easier for me as a begginer

Cheers

 

[FranV8]

Hello and welcome! And yes, get rid of the small bottles. You'll be paying through the backside for doing any decent amount of welding with them.

 

[Drains]

Hi Paul and welcome. Good to see yet another Lothainner in here.

 

[grumpygramps-2007]

welcome.

 

[KemppiFrog]

I used a local drinks supplier for CO2, until the mix of helium/nitrogen? mucked up my welds and forced me back to commercial suppliers. I assumed the change of mix was to get more head to the beer?
A

 

[Sean]

Nittin Eh!

I'm just up the Esk a bit, in Roslin.
Sean