TYPES OF WELDING HITCH

diyguys · Post by **diyguys** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 1:38 pm

Hitch been looking at you tube there is a lot of different ways to weld ,as a diyer would you recommend arc stick welding as the best way to do welds,as the other ways seem to need a lot of setting up .What types of metals can you weld using a arc welder.On the big steel projects that you have posted pictures of what way did you weld them.Motor vehicle repairs ,is arc stick welding a good method.

Sparky James · Post by **Sparky James** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 3:52 pm

Most welding of cars is done with a MIG as it a lot of heavy fabrication work. Tig is used for light stuff mild, stainless and alloy. MAG (stick) is used for medium to heavy mild, stainless and cast iron too. Depents on what u want I have a 180A mig thats used for cars and up to 6mm mild steel but also I have a 140A inverter stick welder for heavy stuff and is ideal for taking out in the van for on site repairs.

What you thinking of welding?

diyguys · Post by **diyguys** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:10 pm

Hi sparky i was thinking of making some metal gates,so i was looking at the arc weld.

Sparky James · Post by **Sparky James** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:52 pm

A cheepo stick welder will be ok for that but a small mig would also do it and more use in the future especially if you like old cars and want to do your own rust repairs.

diyguys · Post by **diyguys** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 4:56 pm

Cheers , i was looking at the mig but you have to have a bottle of gas to operate it and a lot of setting up copper wire etc, is this correct.

Sparky James · Post by **Sparky James** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 6:42 pm

Gasless migs are available with cored wire and would be ok for your gates. The wire is steel with a copper or copper coloured coating BTW.

dave.m · Post by **dave.m** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:06 pm

diyguys wrote:Hi sparky i was thinking of making some metal gates,so i was looking at the arc weld.

Can we have some progress pictures to see how you are getting on when you start?
Or a video even.

dave

Sparky James · Post by **Sparky James** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:15 pm

Yeh a video would be good.

diyguys · Post by **diyguys** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:22 pm

If i decide to take the challenge,the problem with you tube i think you are only allowed 10 minutes per video ,so it might turn out to be a 4 hour movie. I will look into how easy or diffcult it would be for a diyer to do cheers .

dewaltdisney · Post by **dewaltdisney** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 7:51 pm

Can you make sure you capture your workshop going up in flames on your video DIY

DWD

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 8:14 pm

Sparky James wrote: MAG (stick) is used for medium to heavy mild, stainless and cast iron too.

You mean MMA.... that is Arc/Stick welding

MAGS and MIG are very similar, he difference is the gases or gas mixtures used. In this case, i will keep it simple and just call it MIG...

If you want to make a gate, and cheap, buy a stick welder.... stick welders are no use for cars, a few will argue, but not many.
If you plan on welding cars, buy a mig welder.

MIG can be used for Steel, Aluminium and Stainless, MMA can be used for steel and stainless.
TIG can be used on virtually anything.

For portability, you wont beat an inverter based MMA welder.

What else do you want to use it for besides your gate?

diyguys · Post by **diyguys** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:24 pm

dewaltdisney wrote:Can you make sure you capture your workshop going up in flames on your video DIY

DWD

Not very nice dwd

Hi hitch ,anyway getting back to the gate if i wanted to fit a mortice lock what size steel do you recommend and what would be the best method to cut out the section for the mortice lock body.How much would the material be to make a standard size gate for a door.Where would be the best place to purchase the steel cheers.You say mma is no good for cars why not.

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:43 pm

The electrode is much larger than the material thickness usually, making it very hard, possible yes, easy and neat, no.

Mortice locks in gates often have an off the shelf box they fit in.
Available from suppliers like FJ Brindley or North valley forge or Forest metal supplies. They also have prices for plain steel on thiere websites

Lots of plaves to buy the steel, and prices will vary considerably.

Is it security you are after, or decorative? That will have an effect on the costs.

Have a look at the above peoples websites for some ideas :)

thescruff · Post by **thescruff** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:52 pm

Call me what you like, but you ain't got a cat in hells chance of buying a welder and being able to weld with it.

Unless you go to school and take a course.

Hitch · Post by **Hitch** » Sat Apr 10, 2010 9:57 pm

It has been know Scruff, the other site i frequent has introduced an excellent tutorial for MMA.

Probably not going to get to a professional standard, but should be able to glue a few bits together for a gate without too much fuss.