New member from the UK

[t0ne]

Hi everyone,

My name's Tony, I'm from Bristol in the UK and I love making things.
I decided a while ago that I wanted to do a car resto and learn how to restore bodywork. I did evening classes a year or so ago and got a qualification in TIG welding (this was just for fun, I don't do it for my day job) which I hope will help but I am a completely new to metal shaping and fabrication and so have tons to learn.

[galooph]

Welcome to the forum, Tony

You're ahead of me on the TIG welding. I'm just considering a Thermal Arc 202 - nothing to do with my day job either. Yay for expensive hobbies!

[Peter Tommasini]

Hi Tony welcome to the forum
Peter

[Stretch]

Welcome from a fellow West Country chappie

[Richard Lennard]

Turns out there are quite a few of us now in the South West of the UK, mostly dont know very much but no shortage of enthusiasm. There are a few very well qualified local metalshapers - they know who they are. It is all here on this forum. Welcome.

[t0ne]

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Plenty of West Country enthusiasm/lack of knowledge here too

@Dan, I've no experience of the Thermal Arc, I had a quick look online and it seems a reasonable price for an AC/DC welder although the duty cycle looks a bit on the the low side at 20%. You'll also want to factor in the cost of a pedal and these are surprisingly expensive.

[galooph]

Originally Posted by t0ne

Thanks for the welcome everyone. Plenty of West Country enthusiasm/lack of knowledge here too

@Dan, I've no experience of the Thermal Arc, I had a quick look online and it seems a reasonable price for an AC/DC welder although the duty cycle looks a bit on the the low side at 20%. You'll also want to factor in the cost of a pedal and these are surprisingly expensive.

From what I've read, Thermal Arc are very conservative on the duty cycle figure. The pedal is around £200, but that's a decent quality SSC one. The other alternative is one of the RTech TIGs, but they aren't as well specced on the AC side.

Anyway, sorry for hijacking your welcome thread!

[t0ne]

Originally Posted by galooph

From what I've read, Thermal Arc are very conservative on the duty cycle figure. The pedal is around £200, but that's a decent quality SSC one. The other alternative is one of the RTech TIGs, but they aren't as well specced on the AC side.

Anyway, sorry for hijacking your welcome thread!

That's good to know, I've got a R-tech AC/DC TIG welder and been happy with it, although it looks like they've replaced my model (the 210P) now with a newer one.