New guy to ARC, with a land rover.

[rambo]

Hi guys,
I own a 110 landy, which, thankfully is in good condition;


My mates also own landies, and sometimes they need small amounts of welding, and sometimes I need to make steel brackets, weld some steel poles and small bits of welding.

Ideally, i'd like to use a MIG, but all my welding will be done outside, so ive come to the conclusion that an ARC welder would be best.
I have watched a few videos on here and youtube, and I reckon I could get the hang of ARC welding.
I looked at weldequip's shop, and this looks ideal;
http://www.weldequip.com/parweld-xti160.htm

What do you guys reckon, will ARC be ok for outside welding and general land rover work, including chassis work?
cheers
richard

PS, can ARC welds be ground down like MIG welds?

 

[toddy]

well for body work and thin stuff you really want mig
i find mig welding outside isnt really a big problem. unless you want to weld in a storm...

stick welding would be better for thicker sections.
and arc welding is harder than it looks trust me. esp positional welding

 

[reedx]

I've used arc with no problems on the chassis of my 110. It was a bit trickier welding up the bulkhead, but doable with a bit of practice. Though not the same make, it is a DC inverter welder (Inverter Fusion 130MA) that I use on mine.

Colin

PS. Nice truck btw :-)

 

[BrokenBiker]

arc is ok for thicker sections but not good for body work. Mig will work outdoors, all my welding is done outdoors, mig arc and tig. Just put sheets up to block the wind occadionally

 

[lexi]

You might struggle with bulk head work on a Landy with stick. Practice could see you right but it will be a lot of it, especially with those thin repair sections.
However a Mig is easier for those bulkhead "ears" and footwells.

 

[norlander]

arc welds can be ground down( and cut out if bad). As to your choice of machine, speak to weldequip as he sells Gys machines, Gys do an inverter Mig and MMA (arc) dual set-I think its the 170.He may be able to supply one.
I do not own a Gys nor have I used one but they seem to be well rated.
Arc welding is an outside process for most of unless you have a well ventilated workshop, fume extractor or air fed mask-you can arc weld in pretty much any weather.
I can confirm what Brokenbiker says-I just tig welded a project outside, I did have a slight problem when a breeze blew the gas shield off-it was sunny and still conditions when I started.A screen/sheet would have sorted that as suggested.
I am now planning on making screens/windshields for the mig welder I'll be buying soon.
Think Arc (stick) only would be limiting for the work you have in mind.

 

[lincoln17]

I think a mig would serve you better, as others have said you can shield the job if it is windy, a reasonable sized tarp can be used to make a tent. You can also run a wire that does not need gas as the flux is in the wirecore. Lincoln innershield is brilliant
If you are welding in windy conditions, you can get it in 5 kg rolls and have to change the welding polarity on the machine to positive earth. I have never used it on very thin panels but it welds beautifully on 3mm upwards. Don't confuse this wire with the DIY gas less stuff.
As far as machines go I would buy the best you can afford, then you are less likely to be disappointed. I have a Kemppi 180 inverter mig which you just enter the material and thickness and the machine sets itself up, I think it cost me around £700. I think weld quip does the little esab mig inverters, which should be good machines, I have never tried one. The bottom line is you get what you pay for and if you buy a machine with a proven tack record you should be very happy with it.
I hope this is of help.
Regards James