On Tue, 22 Jun 1999, Keith McGahan wrote:
> I have been using my friends welders for the past year now and it seem to be
> about time that I get my own. Does anyone have any suggestion on a brand and
> type(MIG or ARC)that they have good luck with. I have only been using a MIG
> welder and would also like to know the draw back if any in using a ARC.
Frequently Asked Question #1.3.6, see Ye FAQ below.
Basically, don't bother with a plain arc-welder (stick welder, buzz-box)
unless you only have to weld thick metal (frames). It's really difficult,
if not impossible, to weld sheet metal with a plain arc welder.
For sheet metal, get a MIG that can do gas shielding. Otherwise, you're
using a FCAW (Flux Core Arc Welder) instead of a GMAW (Gas Metal Arc
Welder), the GMAW is cleaner and easier. Less smoke, spatter, etc.
You can also weld just about anything on the TR4s with an oxy-acetylene
welder. (I already have, it seems...) Plus with a torch you can get
stuff red hot for bending it, and bake off rust, bondo, etc. And you can
do very good sheet metal welds (if you're patient)- a good weld only
requires a bit of hammering to get the bead down, and maybe a quick pass
with the grinder to take away any bumps. Then it's just as if you
stitched the metal together.
The only time I really wished I had a MIG is when welding in confined
spaces, or where there's a corner-- if the flame gets bounced back toward
the torch, the tip overheats and makes a god-awful BANG that scares the
bejesus out of anyone close by. No fun.
-Malcolm
* There is a FAQ for this list! Its new home is:
http://www.islandnet.com/~walker05/triumph/trfaq.htm
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