DIY
Tools - "all about tools"
Buying a Welder
(Transquip
Direct has a
range of Oxy/Acetylene, ARC, MIG, TIG welders to suit
the diy'er thru to the large trade welding machines.
Look for them listed under the Power Tools section)
Whether you
want to repair metal items around the home, get involved
in a metal work hobby, or work with metal as part of
your job, a welding machine is the most flexible way to
join metal pieces. There are several types:
Types of Welder
Oxyacetylene Welding is a torch that burns a
mixture of acetylene gas and oxygen. An oxyacetylene
torch can be used to braze, solder and weld. It can also
be used to cut steel (but not aluminium or stainless
steel).
Stick / Arc Welding electricity is run through
a stick electrode (usually steel, aluminium or stainless
steel) creating an arc with the material to be welded.
The stick electrode melts, providing the filler material
for the weld.
Mig Welding systems use a wire electrode fed
through a gun to make a weld puddle. Most systems have
the option of using flux-cored wire or a shielding gas.
Mig welding is the easiest type of welding to learn; the
average homeowner can buy a mig welder at the hardware
store, take it home and be making decent welds within a
few hours of practice.
Tig Welding systems use an electrode shielded
in an inert gas to make a weld puddle, a welding rod is
stuck in the arc to make the weld bead. Tig is the
high-end welding; tig welds are neater and probably
stronger than those from any other welding process
Attributes
Power Requirements – 240 Volts 1-phase, 415
volts 3-phase.
Duty Cycle – the percentage of time a welder
can be used at its maximum output before it must rest.
For example, a 30% duty cycle at maximum power can be
used for 3 minutes, then must rest for 7 minutes. At 50%
power this welder could be used for more than 3 minutes
out of 10.
Overload Protection – many welders have
thermal switches that will shut off the welder if the
duty cycle is exceeded.
Capacity - the types of metal and thicknesses
that can be welded depends upon the welding process and
particular machine.
Key Tips
- What type of materials will you be welding? How
thick of material will you be welding? Choose the
process that covers the types of metals you will
most likely be using.
- Will you be welding in the same location or do
you need portability? The maximum portability is
from Oxyacetylene welding. Mig, Tig and Arc welders
with generators are available, but cost
significantly more.
- What type of wiring do you have in the weld
locations? A welder that uses 240 Volt 3-Phase power
can’t easily be taken to a customer’s location.
- How much experience do you have welding? How
much time do you have to learn to weld? How
important is weld appearance? Mig welding is one of
the easiest to learn. Tig welding will create the
best looking welds.
Best Buy
- Oxy/Acetylene Kit from $250
- MIG Welders from $450
Where to Buy a Welder?
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