Thread: GMC Welder

I have just bought one, I've been wanting a welder for sometime.
From reading on these forums people seem to think the GMC is a good little unit.

cheers
Moray

Yep, I just bought one too! Been thinking about it for a while.....

Mine has just turned up. Hopefully I get to play with it tomorrow.

The local Aldi is currently selling a 100 amp welder for $70.

Originally Posted by adeben

The local Aldi is currently selling a 100 amp welder for $70.

Both the GMC and the Ozito are 140 amp welders.

Dear Adeben,

Originally Posted by adeben

The local Aldi is currently selling a 100 amp welder for $70.

That particular unit is definitely made in China. It would be safer to go for the Italian GMC. Italy has always made very good Rectifiers and Rectifier-ish type gear.

Best Wishes,
Batpig.

Hi Batpig,
I was really just mentioning that there was a cheap welder at Aldi at the moment, if anyone was interested. I actually don't need another welder just at the moment, already owning three: an elderly Genco Monarc (bought from Genco in Richmond about 25 years ago!), a 15 year old CIG Transarc Tradesman, and a 5 year old CIG Compact, these latter two bought from CIG in Preston near where I used to work. Only the CIG is close at hand at the moment, and it was certainly made in Italy. It's fan-cooled, and a good little unit if portability is needed. But for most jobs I'd use the Tradesman.

Mine turned up today

I went to the big B today at luchtime and got a pair of leather welding gloves, a chipping hammer, an auto darkening helmet and a tube of ozito welding rods.

Now I just need to teach myself to weld using a stick welder.

cheers
Moray

Originally Posted by Moray

Mine turned up today

I went to the big B today at luchtime and got a pair of leather welding gloves, a chipping hammer, an auto darkening helmet and a tube of ozito welding rods.

Cool but maybe think about getting some decent welding rods.

How much were the various bits 'n' pieces?

Anyone with an opinion on the autodarkening helmets suggest what to get? Given the welder is only $70, I'm not inclined to spend $hundreds on a helmet for (very) occasional use, but if there is a good compromise between quality and price it'd be good to know.

BTW - spoke with MagSwitch about the issues raised, and without going into a lot of detail, there isn't any problems experienced with the devices, and they have sold a lot, so there is plenty of experience with them working as expected.

The issue with arcing and heating isn't a factor, as there is a large contact area, and a strong clamping force so the good contact that results means arcing is unlikely to occur.

In fact, about the only returns they have had are where welders who have learnt the old ways have used the MagSwitch itself to test they have current (striking an arc off it), even to the point of actually laying a weld down on the unit. Guess what - they don't like that!

Hopefully I'll have one of these to try out soon(ish) so can report back. Also might get to try out some of the magnetic clamps they have which will be interesting.

Originally Posted by Stuart

How much were the various bits 'n' pieces?

Anyone with an opinion on the autodarkening helmets suggest what to get? Given the welder is only $70, I'm not inclined to spend $hundreds on a helmet for (very) occasional use, but if there is a good compromise between quality and price it'd be good to know.

This thread is a fair read.

I have the fixed intensity tecmen $60 which seems to do the trick.

Originally Posted by BobL

Cool but maybe think about getting some decent welding rods.

Bob,

what rods would you recommend ?
I'm planning on trying to teach myself with some mild steel scrap.

cheers
Moray

Originally Posted by Moray

Mine turned up today

I went to the big B today at luchtime and got a pair of leather welding gloves, a chipping hammer, an auto darkening helmet and a tube of ozito welding rods.

Now I just need to teach myself to weld using a stick welder.

cheers
Moray

Like Moray. I have just got the GMC welder and went to Bunnings for the gloves, chipping hammer and Auto darkening helmet, however went upmarket to the CIG Satin----- ones. Sorry, late at night and cannot remember the full title.