Which one is better for general purpose mini repairs, house jobs etc. I have got an arc welder for my b'day and have been told that I can trade up to a mig if that is what I want.

What one is better for general purpose use? Can I use the arc/stick welder on thinner steel? e.g 25mm box section and steel sheeting?

Help asap because I want to get out and weld stuff today!!! hehehe
Andy.

MIG is the go. I have both, but the arc only gets used for stuff 3mm or thicker now.

Yes you can use arc on RHS tube 2mm wall and up, but it's hard work compared with MIG.
and it's not great on sheet... even 1.5mm. Forget it for thin stuff, like body panels.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Thanks. That was the info I was looking for.

Some great wisdom in these threads:

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=7404

http://www.ausmini.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9811

Things I agree with most:

1) get a gas MIG with continuously variable (stepless) voltage & wire speed

2) buy an upmarket welder second hand instead of a cheap welder new
a) much easier to get replacement parts for; which means:
b) it will last a lifetime, so don't skimp
c) the quality of the result will be much better

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"Life is not like a box of chocolates... it's more like a jar of jalapenos. Whatever you do today, may burn your arse tomorrow."

All the ones with stepless V control have input voltage compensation by design, the majority of switched ones don't. This means their output voltage can vary a bit depending on the mains voltage.

You do get what you pay for. Most of the real cheap ones are toys.

Mine is a S/H Kemppi `Super Kempomat' I bought for $450 at a dealer, about 10 years ago. A panelbeater traded it. Has continuously variable voltage. It also has handy features like `spot' and `stitch' welding timers, which the cheapies just don't have.
Very useful for welding upside down, under car.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

I am not in the market for an expensive welder. I have decided to keep my arc which was a present to practice my skills. I have never welded before and think that the $120 birthday jobbie is a good place to start.

I had a hit on some steel yesterday and find in a lot harder than expected. Getting the arc up in the first place is a matter of luck and maintaining it required a steady hand and skill. I was able to manage a bit of a weld but nothing like my (potential) father in laws work.

Wait until you try welding galvanised steel Bromley, that will try you out...

The dodgy instruction booklet with my welder told me not to weld gal because it lets of a toxic fume! Then again the manufacturers also thought it necessary to remind me that the unit will not work unless it is plugged in and switched on, dehrrrr

I have noticed that over the years with other electrical stuff as well....