Another welder advice thread

Alan88

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northern Ireland
Went to a local firm and asked for a mig for the farm. Got offered an Ine 275 (I think) for £950+vat just need the gas and it's ready to go.

They said I would need one that big to future proof myself so I can do heavier work. They could sell me cheaper one but it would only be 'Chinese rubbish' or 'wouldn't have enough power when I need it later'. Also if anything goes wrong they have a workshop to repair the machines.

Any advice from farmers on what size I do need. I done a welding course a couple of winters ago at the local college and think it's about time I got on with it and buy one. Thanks
 

ECA

Member
As said above...250 is adequate for most jobs. An inverter mig is something worth considering when you only have single phase power...
 

Ley253

Member
Location
Bath
For farm work, get a stick plant. Mig doesnt like dirty or painted metal, wont work well outside in a breeze. Also needs more skill to ensure a good weld, its far too easy to make a cold shoulder look perfect, until that is, it falls apart down the road. Finally, a stick plant will put up with farm conditions much better, no delicate wire feed, rust prone wire and,( usually when you really need it) empty gas bottle/ broken gas line!
 

Bury the Trash

Member
Mixed Farmer
agree as above.

rusty wire is a big money waster... and preparing gas and regulators ...especially for a quick small job :rolleyes:

plus you can get special rods for certain uses the like of which you cant do with mig......

i would get a nice 200 amp or so ....inverter for mma and suitable for tig and genny and long lead friendly ....

up in the top 5 ? most useful thing s on the farm (y)
 

robin banks

Member
Location
Ireland
Got a thermal arc 211i. It's a 3 in 1 machine. 3 of us in area with same and there has been a lot of sheds and trailers made between the 3 welders and none have given any bother.
Nicest welder I have stick welded with. Normally use it as a mig though. My mechanic uses a 181i and you want to see some of his creations. So for general farm work I would imagine 250 would be more than adequate. But like everything we all like more power
 

clem dog

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Co Antrim
Went to a local firm and asked for a mig for the farm. Got offered an Ine 275 (I think) for £950+vat just need the gas and it's ready to go.

They said I would need one that big to future proof myself so I can do heavier work. They could sell me cheaper one but it would only be 'Chinese rubbish' or 'wouldn't have enough power when I need it later'. Also if anything goes wrong they have a workshop to repair the machines.

Any advice from farmers on what size I do need. I done a welding course a couple of winters ago at the local college and think it's about time I got on with it and buy one. Thanks
Where was that quoted from? If you don't mind me asking.
 

Alan88

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northern Ireland
What thickness do you plan to weld? Anything past 10MM on that 275 and you'll struggle :)

Haha yea I thought it would be something like that. Want something basic to get me started but at the same time I want to future proof it so I can do must things.

Where was that quoted from? If you don't mind me asking.

Mcintyres in Kilrea.

Seems to be to go for a 250 max or a stick then? My stick welding was never very good compared to the mig but maybe that's why i should buy one for the practice (n)
 

Ley253

Member
Location
Bath
Haha yea I thought it would be something like that. Want something basic to get me started but at the same time I want to future proof it so I can do must things.



Mcintyres in Kilrea.

Seems to be to go for a 250 max or a stick then? My stick welding was never very good compared to the mig but maybe that's why i should buy one for the practice (n)
Did you do acid etch tests of your welds, or root, side and cap bends, or just go by the look? if the latter, I would expect the poor looking stick to be the better weld regarding strength, its much easier to get side penetration with a stick plant, Mig can look good, but be merely stuck on top. When I did my codes, we did two side bends as well as the etch test on the mig welds, and the lack of penetration was surprising, the original shape of the prep being clearly visible, this was not so for the stick, and we only did one root and cap bend test.
 

Alan88

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Northern Ireland
Did you do acid etch tests of your welds, or root, side and cap bends, or just go by the look? if the latter, I would expect the poor looking stick to be the better weld regarding strength, its much easier to get side penetration with a stick plant, Mig can look good, but be merely stuck on top. When I did my codes, we did two side bends as well as the etch test on the mig welds, and the lack of penetration was surprising, the original shape of the prep being clearly visible, this was not so for the stick, and we only did one root and cap bend test.

Didn't do any of that but when I was cleaning the weld up it sometimes fell apart if i hit it hard enough. But I guess more practice is needed
 

SFI - What % were you taking out of production?

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Red Tractor drops launch of green farming scheme amid anger from farmers

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As reported in Independent


quote: “Red Tractor has confirmed it is dropping plans to launch its green farming assurance standard in April“

read the TFF thread here: https://thefarmingforum.co.uk/index.php?threads/gfc-was-to-go-ahead-now-not-going-ahead.405234/
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