Cat_J Posted September 3, 2010 Author Share Posted September 3, 2010 Thats great. This one looks like a good buy then. Could you recommend a top value for it? Thanks for all the help guys, I feel like a 90yo trying to buy a computer... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Everlands Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 In some tech spec I found for it it says you can change polarity so I assume it runs gasless too. Not necessarily ... it will probably say "gasless" or "cored wire compatible". But gas is far better anyway, unless you plan on welding somewhere it's windy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reb78 Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 This is the equivalent to my machine from the company i bought it from (they mentioned that Butters were having financial trouble so the products may be sold unbranded now for some reason - dont know how correct his is) but the link may give you an idea of the price of a new more powerful unit of the same make: http://www.spawelding.co.uk/online-store/mig-welding/mig-welders-up-to-190amp/271-170c-swp-mig-welder.html Price has gone down since i bought mine! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Be very careful, a 3kw generator will not enjoy the sudden on/off load of a welder so you may find it won't be happy anywhere near the top end of the dial - this has been covered before in a thread many moons ago, I think someone who worked for a genset company chimed in in the end and the rule of thumb is something like 200% capacity (EG to run 3kw welder happily you'd want a 6kw generator). I know we tried welding some stuff (OK, Moglite) in a field with a reasonably sized hobby mig and a not inconsiderably sized generator and it was a struggle. Any welder should be able to manage gasless surely - just turn the gas off and put gasless wire in Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LandyManLuke Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 the rule of thumb is something like 200% capacity (EG to run 3kw welder happily you'd want a 6kw generator). Yes, anything over half the capacity of the generator will be a bit suck-it-and-see. Certainly not advised. Any welder should be able to manage gasless surely - just turn the gas off and put gasless wire in Gasless should be used with a -ve torch, rather than +ve as used with gas. Some people have reported OK welding with gasless wire and +ve torch though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Any welder should be able to manage gasless surely - just turn the gas off and put gasless wire in  Isn't gasless wire thicker, requiring a change of feed wheels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Isn't gasless wire thicker, requiring a change of feed wheels? Yes, I was assuming that bit would be self-explanatory though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Maybe not to a newbie looking to learn to weld though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Train Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 Be very careful, a 3kw generator will not enjoy the sudden on/off load of a welder so you may find it won't be happy anywhere near the top end of the dial - this has been covered before in a thread many moons ago, I think someone who worked for a genset company chimed in in the end and the rule of thumb is something like 200% capacity (EG to run 3kw welder happily you'd want a 6kw generator). I know we tried welding some stuff (OK, Moglite) in a field with a reasonably sized hobby mig and a not inconsiderably sized generator and it was a struggle. Any welder should be able to manage gasless surely - just turn the gas off and put gasless wire in I found that. Even with a 5kva generator the delay in getting up to speed, and power, would make starting the weld a little fiddly. Lots of popping and spatter and wire feed problems until the generator was up to speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat_J Posted September 3, 2010 Author Share Posted September 3, 2010 What do we think of this? http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Petrol-Generator-4-Stroke-110-240v-6-5Kva-6500LCL-NEW_W0QQitemZ380075359727QQcategoryZ46412QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m8QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DMW%26its%3DC%26itu%3DUCC%26otn%3D5%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D5944455263955738881#ht_5678wt_1137 I know, I use ebay too much. I'm not made of money but a good generator would probably be useful. The 3kW one I am borrowing from my old boss. I might be able to use the power at the farm but then again I might not and the farmers been so good to me the amount of money I would feel obliged to keep giving him for electricity would probably cost me a fortune anyway. I just don't see that I'll need a 6kW generator after this is done, or maybe I will... Its a hard call to make when most of the money I have is going into parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve b Posted September 3, 2010 Share Posted September 3, 2010 If the farm has power I'd be inclined to use that and pay for what you use - you could always have a meter in the supply for you then its clear what you have used I think you would have problems running even a small MIG off a generator unless its of industrial quality with full sinewave AC and power spike protection. The cost of buying and running a genny (and noise) will buy you a lot of quiet mains electric hth Steveb Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cat_J Posted September 3, 2010 Author Share Posted September 3, 2010 I think I'll take your advice on that one steve. I'll ask the farmer on sunday. I'll try to get that welder either way as it seems a bargain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.