54 replies to this topic

[sonikk4]

To be honest a 5 kg spool will do most of a mini panel wise. If you are using more than that then a look at your welding technique may be needed.

 

I'm halfway through a 5kg spool on Wills Mini Special with over half the car done. And there has been some serious panel replacement on that. 

[Carlos W]

To be honest a 5 kg spool will do most of a mini panel wise. If you are using more than that then a look at your welding technique may be needed.

 

I'm halfway through a 5kg spool on Wills Mini Special with over half the car done. And there has been some serious panel replacement on that. 

 

Welding wire doesn't keep all that well either, especially if you're not using it and it's in a damp environment.

 

Once it goes dull it doesn't weld or feed anywhere near as well

[Ben_O]

Ah so ok if you have a heated garage 

[Carlos W]

Ah so ok if you have a heated garage 

 

I wouldn't know! 

 

But garages can get damp through flooding too

[sonikk4]

During the winter i cover my spool with a cloth and also use a silica gel bag as well. No problems then.

[Ben_O]

 

Ah so ok if you have a heated garage 

 

I wouldn't know! 

 

But garages can get damp through flooding too

 

you !"£$%^&*

[HarrysMini]

 

To be honest a 5 kg spool will do most of a mini panel wise. If you are using more than that then a look at your welding technique may be needed.

 

I'm halfway through a 5kg spool on Wills Mini Special with over half the car done. And there has been some serious panel replacement on that. 

 

Welding wire doesn't keep all that well either, especially if you're not using it and it's in a damp environment.

 

Once it goes dull it doesn't weld or feed anywhere near as well

 

I can vouch for this. My welder is kept in a leaky shed and it had only been stored for a month with no use and the wire was well past using.

[sonikk4]

That's why you need to take precautions with it. If i don't use my welder for a month i remove the reel and store it in the airing cupboard. No issues with it rusting then. On a week by week basis i do what i have already stated and have no issues.

[Carlos W]

The point I'm trying to make is, if you buy a reel as big as 15kg, it may not keep forever

[sonikk4]

The point I'm trying to make is, if you buy a reel as big as 15kg, it may not keep forever

 

Very valid point for a Diyer and home restorer.

[Carlos W]

 

The point I'm trying to make is, if you buy a reel as big as 15kg, it may not keep forever

 

Very valid point for a Diyer and home restorer.

 

It may be cheaper per kg, but if you end up chucking half of it away it's false economy

[Richie83]

How long did the college course take you? Interested in this myself as have some big jobs to tackle on my mini. Sorry to take a little off tack.

[Hendred]

Thats helpful thanks, wont worry too much about spool then, 5kg spool welder will be plenty then for me.  Might take my reel to bed with me everynight.

[Hendred]

Sorry didn't answer your question about course Richie, I did it in Hereford, hour away for me but was the closest I could find.  Your in somerset so obviously too far!

 

You can do a ten week evening (1 evening a week) or a 3 day course (mon-weds 9-5pm) which amounts to the same hours.  I did the days as didn't want to forget from one week to the next and was advised the days were better.

 

I did MIG, Stick and gas welding.  But concentrated on Mig only on the last day, great course as you could choose what you wanted to concentrate on.  I just did abit of gas (couple of hours), day on stick and 2 days on Mig.

 

Cost me £195 which I thought was value for money as tutor was great and you could weld as much as you wanted.  May even do a qualification next year for the hell of it, thats 10 weeks or 3 days again.

[Hendred]

Anyone used a Sealey? Any good?