Hello, Newbie here!

[Big Behr]

Afternoon all,

I came across this site whilst searching for info on my Kemppi MIG. I have now been on here for hours reading through the tutorials and generally picking through the posts.

May I congratulate you on a great forum for a start!

I moderate on a BMW forum and get involved in a fair bit of light fabrication, projects and general car repairs - all on a DIY basis. I am a heating engineer/pipefitter by trade so get involved in a small amount of welding professionally.

Well, that's about it from me - I'm off to find some more info and maybe try a post or two....

 

[malcolm]

Welcome aboard. You don't sound much like a newbie when you say you have a Kemppi Which one is it - and how do you find it to use?

Do join in with the forum, and let me know if there's anything in the tutorials that's no good too - I'm planning an update in the summer as soon as my newer ending project ends.

 

[Big Behr]

Welcome aboard. You don't sound much like a newbie when you say you have a Kemppi Which one is it - and how do you find it to use?

Do join in with the forum, and let me know if there's anything in the tutorials that's no good too - I'm planning an update in the summer as soon as my newer ending project ends.

I bought the Kemppi around three years ago now. I walked into the local welding supplies shop and asked for a decent welder that could do the kind of jobs that I wanted and ended up walking out with the Kemppi.

I don't really know a lot about welder brands but the guy who sold it rated it very highly. Nowadays I'm a little more shrewd and use 'tinternet to get the lowdown before parting with my money! It seems the Kemppi is "the kit", as an absolute beginner I picked it up very quickly.

I use the large Co2 on contract with BOC, which is a pain. As far as the welder is concerned, it's a Kempomat 200/1, which was the largest single phase machine available (I live in the middle of nowhere and there is no 3phase). I have had great results using 0.8 wire and having a little play around with the settings. I have to say that the pulse (is that right?) setting is great for stiching lighter plate together.

My main reason for looking for more info was to see if it was possible to use my Kemppi for the odd bit of stainless work but I'll start another post on that. I don't want to go off topic in my first week!

Many thanks for the welcome and I look forward to joining in and posting pics of my projects.

 

[malcolm]

You're using CO2 from BOC not the Argon/CO2 mix (Argoshield)? The Argoshield is much nicer to use on mild steel (less spatter and more stable arc). Argoshield Light would be good for stainless for everyday work, though coded or food stuff might require something different.

Must admit I've never tried a welder with a pulse function, though doing it manually is ideal for really thin metal.