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[Kevin Wood]

.. and an auto-dimming mask would be a great addition to your arsenal, IMHO. Just got a cheap one but it makes all the difference IMHO.

[Webby the Bear]

.. and an auto-dimming mask would be a great addition to your arsenal, IMHO. Just got a cheap one but it makes all the difference IMHO.

Completely agree Kev... I don't know if you read my post about when I ordered it but I was looking for an auto mask as you guys suggested. Accidentally brought a non-auto mask. Cos I got the words ''adjusting'' and ''Auto-dimming'' confused. . . they both start with 'A' at least 

Its so difficult to put the visor down and its all black.... then weld where you want.

[minifreek]

Im reading this 'blog' every day and really enjoying the trials and tribulations your going through, as I'm in the same boat as you are...

I had to buy a MIG to weld my Omega to get it through its last MoT as the stick/arc welder I have was just too harsh for the metal I was attempting to patch up...

The MIG made it sooo much easier to sort out it's MoT... Gonna need it again for the next, but will have a lot more experience this time...

I won't say I can weld, I wouldn't call myself a 'welder' BUT I can join 2 pieces of metal together using the welding process LOL

I actually enjoy welding, I will admit I don't mind if I need to weld something, I usually make an excuse to do some sort of welding..

I have an auto dimming mask, which is adjustable for how dark it gets, which I find very handy... Compared to when I first did any sort of welding when I was a kid (about 18) and welded without a mask, I had a mask but it got in the way... Anyhoo the day after I couldn't see, had horrible sunburn and drove myself to the hospital (stupid I know) they gave me some drops and pain killers which helped but I had to see an optician as ever since Iv been sensitive to bright lights because I burnt my retina... Not fun... I look back now and laugh but Iv never once welded without a mask...

[omega3000]

Seen these    Mask

I been looking at an Arc welder myself 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Arc welding is fine for structural lumps but bloody hopeless on cars and the like unless its nothing more than bodging a patch on.

And there even worse when it comes to thin plate and panels.

For me personally ARC welding only has a single advantage and that is you can weld outside with it (so good for gates etc)

[omega3000]

Arc welding is fine for structural lumps but bloody hopeless on cars and the like unless its nothing more than bodging a patch on.

And there even worse when it comes to thin plate and panels.

For me personally ARC welding only has a single advantage and that is you can weld outside with it (so good for gates etc)

What about welding in tight spaces though , mig cant do that  Ive seen some video of thin plate welding with Arc

Mr webroot , you know you can get flux core wire for mig then you wont need to keep buying gas 

[Marks DTM Calib]

Arc welding is fine for structural lumps but bloody hopeless on cars and the like unless its nothing more than bodging a patch on.

And there even worse when it comes to thin plate and panels.

For me personally ARC welding only has a single advantage and that is you can weld outside with it (so good for gates etc)

What about welding in tight spaces though , mig cant do that  Ive seen some video of thin plate welding with Arc

Mr webroot , you know you can get flux core wire for mig then you wont need to keep buying gas 

Welding in tight spaces is harder with Arc, particularly with a fresh rod.

And welding thin stuff with ARC is a mare, easiest way to distort a panel or suffer blow through. 

I do all three types, MIG, ARC and TIG.....and its very much horses for courses. 

[Webby the Bear]

Im reading this 'blog' every day and really enjoying the trials and tribulations your going through, as I'm in the same boat as you are...

I had to buy a MIG to weld my Omega to get it through its last MoT as the stick/arc welder I have was just too harsh for the metal I was attempting to patch up...

The MIG made it sooo much easier to sort out it's MoT... Gonna need it again for the next, but will have a lot more experience this time...

I won't say I can weld, I wouldn't call myself a 'welder' BUT I can join 2 pieces of metal together using the welding process LOL

I actually enjoy welding, I will admit I don't mind if I need to weld something, I usually make an excuse to do some sort of welding..

I have an auto dimming mask, which is adjustable for how dark it gets, which I find very handy... Compared to when I first did any sort of welding when I was a kid (about 18) and welded without a mask, I had a mask but it got in the way... Anyhoo the day after I couldn't see, had horrible sunburn and drove myself to the hospital (stupid I know) they gave me some drops and pain killers which helped but I had to see an optician as ever since Iv been sensitive to bright lights because I burnt my retina... Not fun... I look back now and laugh but Iv never once welded without a mask...

Glad you're enjoying it mate and all the best for your welding 

That's a really good point. When can you call yourself a welder? lol technically I suppose I can having welded two pieces of metal together  but I'd say I know 5%.... so still got 95% to go 

Re the mask. that would suck. you still get the eye sensitivity? 

[aaronjb]

When can you call yourself a welder?

When you're coded http://www.hgcodedwelding.com/Articles/how-do-we-define-coded-welding-or-code-welding

[Webby the Bear]

Steve, thanks for that link. Don't care about design of mask. Just want a ''good 'un'' 

Re the flux core... I did consider it. Is it even compatible with my machine? I was told by a few people not to bother. Can't remember the reason why 

[Webby the Bear]

When can you call yourself a welder?

When you're coded http://www.hgcodedwelding.com/Articles/how-do-we-define-coded-welding-or-code-welding

Whilst I'd love to flash a welding cert. at people that's definitely not for me. I'd much prefer to say ''yeah, I taught myself''......with help from OOF of course 

[symes]

Steve, thanks for that link. Don't care about design of mask. Just want a ''good 'un'' 

Re the flux core... I did consider it. Is it even compatible with my machine? I was told by a few people not to bother. Can't remember the reason why 

you need to reverse polarity of gun-2 wires inside welder near wire spool--and dont bother---rusts very quickly and harder to do as heat is more local -giving distortion of metal being welded---not good for bodywork

When can you call yourself a welder?

When you're coded http://www.hgcodedwelding.com/Articles/how-do-we-define-coded-welding-or-code-welding

Whilst I'd love to flash a welding cert. at people that's definitely not for me. I'd much prefer to say ''yeah, I taught myself''......with help from OOF of course 

lloyds and british federal thats mine

[Webby the Bear]

Knew there was a reason for not using it. Just couldn't remember what.

Yep, I know the leads you're talking about.  . . Won't touch them! 

My first bottle of gas is still working  woulda thought that woulda run out by now. Got three back up double capacity bottles just in case though 

Re mig welding in tight spaces. . . Interested to know why it wouldn't work. . . Obviously depending on what your definition of tight spaces is. E.g. I have seen many vids where people repair chassis parts using mig.

[symes]

Knew there was a reason for not using it. Just couldn't remember what.

Yep, I know the leads you're talking about.  . . Won't touch them! 

My first bottle of gas is still working  woulda thought that woulda run out by now. Got three back up double capacity bottles just in case though 

Re mig welding in tight spaces. . . Interested to know why it wouldn't work. . . Obviously depending on what your definition of tight spaces is. E.g. I have seen many vids where people repair chassis parts using mig.

you can build a chassis mate--but you need good weld penetration--otherwise risky and tight space? if you can get gun into it and see--then not a problem--try dummy run with gun first--ie not welding-just checking movement/room etc

[omega3000]

Flux core will smoke out your garage pretty quick though  + splatter issues ...

Just been watching flux core gas shield