rich r
Member
- Messages
- 645
I've been reading these forums and the tutorials in great depth for a few months now, and having a number of things in need of repair and no friends that have welding equipment I decided to give it a go. I picked up an Aldi 160A buzzbox and box of assorted electrodes when they were on - with the idea that if I could get the hang of it with a cheap setup like that, I'd invest in something better (eg Mig or Tig) later.
I think I've been lucky in that a lot of people seem to have problems with cheap AC arc welders and rods, but I managed on my third or fourth attempt with 2.5mm rods to lay down a couple of decent stringers on a bit of 3mm steel plate. I then had a go with 3.2mm rods and found it significantly easier. I then had a go with 2mm rods and after a couple of tries could lay reasonable stringers with those too (although keeping the arc short enough with 2mm rods seems a lot harder than the bigger rods as they get used up so quickly!).
I then had a go at fillet welds - again following the tutorials at the top of the page here, and can weld 6mm steel with 3.2mm rods pretty cleanly most of the time now. 2.5mm isn't as successful, and with 2.0mm I really struggle (but I'll post about that in the Arc Welding section I think).
I've so far repaired a cracked spade (building up weld from the bottom of the cracks then grinding back and repeating - not sure if this is the best technique, but the spade was destined for the bin otherwise), and a couple of rusted off bolt holes on a couple of things by welding a thick washer on.
When I've used up the Aldi electrodes, I'll buy some Murex or something more guaranteed, as I think I've been lucky in getting a box that all work well, leaving slag than often just cracks off in big chunks or even peels occasionally.
I'm keen to learn as much as I can with my cheap arc welding setup, then move on to Mig/Tig later if I find I'm doing enough to justify the expense. I like Arc though - it's nice and simple
I think I've been lucky in that a lot of people seem to have problems with cheap AC arc welders and rods, but I managed on my third or fourth attempt with 2.5mm rods to lay down a couple of decent stringers on a bit of 3mm steel plate. I then had a go with 3.2mm rods and found it significantly easier. I then had a go with 2mm rods and after a couple of tries could lay reasonable stringers with those too (although keeping the arc short enough with 2mm rods seems a lot harder than the bigger rods as they get used up so quickly!).
I then had a go at fillet welds - again following the tutorials at the top of the page here, and can weld 6mm steel with 3.2mm rods pretty cleanly most of the time now. 2.5mm isn't as successful, and with 2.0mm I really struggle (but I'll post about that in the Arc Welding section I think).
I've so far repaired a cracked spade (building up weld from the bottom of the cracks then grinding back and repeating - not sure if this is the best technique, but the spade was destined for the bin otherwise), and a couple of rusted off bolt holes on a couple of things by welding a thick washer on.
When I've used up the Aldi electrodes, I'll buy some Murex or something more guaranteed, as I think I've been lucky in getting a box that all work well, leaving slag than often just cracks off in big chunks or even peels occasionally.
I'm keen to learn as much as I can with my cheap arc welding setup, then move on to Mig/Tig later if I find I'm doing enough to justify the expense. I like Arc though - it's nice and simple
to the forum, sounds like you're a natural welder 
a lot of folks struggle with the cheap buzzboxes.
