Interesting reading on welding machines

http://www.daihatsu-drivers.co.uk/howit ... olswelders
Just having a trawl as you do and found the above if anybody has got a welding machine on their Christmas wish list.

Have read the first page.Its very clearly written, excellent, a good find retro pedro.
The easiest welders to use are mig welders.The problem for the home welder is the gas,Either its the disposable bottles which is expensive over time or its finding someone who can refill a bottle which you have.Paying rent on a bottle is a lot and also the gas companies wont deal with non trade i think ,I could be wrong.Its advisable not to leave the reel of wire on the machine if your shed gets damp as in spite of the copper coating on the wire it will rust a little and then it wont work properly .if it does go rusty take off the first layer on wire and it should be okay after that.

as to the gas for mig. i would do mag, then all you do is use co2 (pub gas)

the only difference between the welding sets for mig and mag is the bottle you have on it.
i think a pub size bottle will last about 12-24h of welding(that is continues welding) and they cost about £20-40 to refill and normally have to give a deposit for the bottle, and will get it bk once you have finished with all your welding needs.

and if anyone wants some tips, or live close ish to show how to, just ask, since i am a construction welder

Great posting

I'm looking for a mig set up at the moment

I keep being tempted to do a course, but not sure it will be any good for me job wise?

drift what sort of job are you in?
as for a basic course it isnt bad, but for a full construction ASMI IX coding you are looking for about 6-10weeks min from not welding.
and to get to my level you are looking about a year ish.
then you need to be tested every 6 months to keep the coding's what i didnt, as it was nearly 1k for every piece