Welding Practice.

The new welder has arrived so it's time to practice welding. As shown in my previous post, my last attempt at welding was a little off the mark. 

I have also done a quick write up on my new welder.

This is my first go with the new welder, which is instantly better than previous attempts.

I continued to practice on the large steel, I also welded some thinner steel. So far all looks good.

At this point I stopped as light was fading. I will continue with the practice another day.

My thought so far on the new welder - a Portamig 215. I'm comparing using this machine with the Siegen Power Mini Mig 130 I borrowed from a friend not long ago.

 

It arrived in a dissembled state - there were no instructions on how to put it together, but it was easy to work out and in 15 mins was all set up. There is a insturction booklet, but i found on-line welding guides a better way to go.

Quality

The quality of the machine and its components is very good, I was particularly impressed with the mig torch that it's supplied with. The earthing clamp is also of very good quality on the Portamig. This wasn't the case with the Siegen, and you can defiantly tell it's made to a budget, in some far away place (China).

Components

The mig torch on the Portamig has a large connector to the machine and swivel housing on the handle aiding movement. The torch is a removable item unlike the Siegen, making replacement, repair or upgrade an option.

The earthing lead is detachable, again unlike the Siegen.

Controls

The controls are similar between the two, but with the Portamig there are more power options to choose from.

Gas

Another key difference is the type of bottle used for gas. The Portamig uses a full size bottle, whereas the Siegen uses the small hobby gas. No contest there as the hobby gas is expensive and doesn't last long and I also found it gives poor results (possibly due to poor pressure). The Portamig is supplied with a gas regulator that has two gauges - pressure of the bottle and pressure to the machine. This is very hand as you can ensure that the correct amount of gas is getting to the weld and you can tell when the bottle is empty!

Weight

The Portamig is much heavier than the Siegen for a number of reasons -

• It's a bigger welder overall
• It uses 15kg of weld wire (you can get an adopter to take 5kg, but I found no money saving in that approach)
• there is a full size gas bottle strapped to the back
• longer and thicker external cables / leads

But the Portamig is sat on 4 wheels so its not too much bother to move - until you get to the gravel drive!

Welding Results

When I was welding with the Siegen not long ago, I though that welding was the hardest thing in the world, I got poor weld quality, strength and appearance pretty much constantly ( I used it for about 2 and half days!)

One my first go with the Portamig I got some fairly decent results - I know I'm no pro welder, but with the Portamig I'm so much closer than I was with the Siegen. And i still understand that quality welding is a difficult task - but having the correct tool for the job always helps tip the scales.

The Portamig 215 has an amp range of 15 - 215. Making it good for welding thicknesses of 0.5 - 8mm of mild steel.

The Siegen 130 has an amp range of 30 - 130. Making it good for welding thicknesses of 1 - 2mm of mild steel. (got that off an add for the Siegen) << Which is a pretty shocking scale when you consider the thicknesses of Land Rover chasis (2 - 4mm?), and automotive body work (0.5mm).

I know the two machines are in different leagues and their price reflects this but when you consider the Siegen has a list price of £432 (although you can pick them up for £250 - £300) and that the lower power version of the Portamig (185amp) is £579 the value for money is outstanding. Defiantly worth the extra money.


Images of the two machines are below (please believe me when i say i didn't buy the mask and the machine with the intention that they matched!)

Next up is to practice some more. Re-weld and reinforce the new rear cross member - got the idea to do this off others on the web, this should help keep the new cross member looking better and help it perform its task and then weld it in place!