As it is nearly xmas I decided to treat myself to a new arc welder from Weldequip. I had tried arc welding before with an Aldi welder but couldn't get away with it. There's an old thread of mine on here in the Arc welding sticky section from a few years back. The Aldi welder got binned a few months back after it continually blew fuses after an inch or so of weld. I never got on with it and it sat in the garage unloved and unwanted for a few years before it seemed to develop the fault. I managed to recycle the earth clamp from it at least as it was better than the one that was attached to my Clarke 151 TE mig.
Anyway I have bought a Parweld XTI 161 from Weldequip. I went for it as it was advertised as working from 13 amp plug and would also run off an extension lead. I have mine working off a 15 metre extension lead of 2.5mm2arctic cable which is plugged in to a cooker socket and it works fine. Im really pleased with it. The welder didn't miss a beat all afternoon.
I was practicing a fillet weld in the flat position. The base metal was 5mm while the vertical piece was 3mm. There's no reason for this, it was just what metal I had to hand. I used 2.5mm electrodes. They were Bohler Fox Sum rods which I have owned for a few years. They have been stored in my home to keep them dry. I found 80amps to be about the most favourable setting.
The welding is not fantastic and I need plenty of further practice but I am pleased with the results. I got my first peeler today so I am well chuffed
I am going to have a go with some 3.2mm electrodes next time as I hear that they are a little easier to use. I think the higher metal deposition rate will help too. I just need to keep my hands steadier and concentrate on angle and arc length.
Anyway I have bought a Parweld XTI 161 from Weldequip. I went for it as it was advertised as working from 13 amp plug and would also run off an extension lead. I have mine working off a 15 metre extension lead of 2.5mm2arctic cable which is plugged in to a cooker socket and it works fine. Im really pleased with it. The welder didn't miss a beat all afternoon.
I was practicing a fillet weld in the flat position. The base metal was 5mm while the vertical piece was 3mm. There's no reason for this, it was just what metal I had to hand. I used 2.5mm electrodes. They were Bohler Fox Sum rods which I have owned for a few years. They have been stored in my home to keep them dry. I found 80amps to be about the most favourable setting.
The welding is not fantastic and I need plenty of further practice but I am pleased with the results. I got my first peeler today so I am well chuffed
I am going to have a go with some 3.2mm electrodes next time as I hear that they are a little easier to use. I think the higher metal deposition rate will help too. I just need to keep my hands steadier and concentrate on angle and arc length.
