Welder purchase advice for a sort of beginner

I am looking to buy a welder to do some small jobs.

Mainly would be for welding:
- rhs probably no thicker than 4mm, some would be gal
- welding mesh to rhs for my trailer,
- maybe some welding on old dirt bike frame (chrome moly frames I think)
- and maybe some alloy welding.

I wouldn't be attempting to weld aluminium (such as dirt bike rims) or magnesium (dirt bikeparts).

I'm an average welder and haven't done any for a long time and have only used an arc welder (which is probably older than me).

My question is around what type of welder: mig (gas or gasless), arc, inverter etc. I don't want to spend a lot as it won't get a lot of use and I only have a 10A plug available, although I could use one of those 15A plug converters.

(Also, my return key won't work on my keyboard and let me start a new line, anywayto fix this? I had to type this is in word and paste it in.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bishboy

(Also, my return key won't work on my keyboard and let me start a new line, anyway to fix this? I had to type this is in word and paste it in.)

---

I have that problem at work as there the browser is IE. There are issues with this forum and IE, so the easiest way around the problem is go to something else - Firefox is used by a lot of people without issues.

As for the welder, I would suggest MIG; gasless can be a bit sputtery so go with gas if you can afford the cylinder rent. TIG is really nice but needs clean material (Galv gives it headaches). Stick you have used and stick on an inverter unit is nice - most can run TIG and stick. Perhaps try and find an old small MIG unit on gumtree or ebay?

Michael

Here's the limit of my knowledge:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bishboy

- rhs probably no thicker than 4mm, some would be gal

---

MIG, or if always over 2.0mm then stick unless you like difficult jobs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bishboy

- welding mesh to rhs for my trailer,

---

MIG, or stick if you like difficult jobs.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bishboy

- maybe some welding on old dirt bike frame (chrome moly frames I think)

---

MIG or stick.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bishboy

- and maybe some alloy welding.

---

TIG (expensive) or expensive specialised MIG.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by bishboy

I don't want to spend a lot as it won't get a lot of use and I only have a 10A plug available, although I could use one of those 15A plug converters.

---

Inverter stick.

I use an inverter stick machine for (1) and (2), but it's tricky.

How about something like this Welder MIG Welder TIG Welder Stick Welder in Sydney, NSW | eBay

Save your money mate. Better off with a known brand which has backup service. Those cheap eBay ones look like headaches to me.

I was thinking something like this one (I think they are single phase)
MIG Welder in Central West, NSW | eBay

Michael