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Safety tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. Welding machines can be used for a range of exciting D.I.Y. projects, from creating furniture to making your own firepit to essential repairs and maintenance (home and automotive).
When it comes to welding, there are four types of welding machines to consider:
Selecting the right welding machine will depend on what you’d like to do with it, the application, the metals being used, the required level of precision and whether it is an indoor or outdoor project.
Arc/stick welding uses electricity to generate heat. This type of welding creates an electric arc between a consumable electrode (available at Bunnings) and the base metal through momentary contact that will bind the metals.
Arc/stick is a good option for beginners. Most people pick up the basics quickly and then take time learning to master the process. This type of welding is useful for D.I.Y projects or repairs that involve dirty or rusty materials, or when working with thick metals. (It doesn’t require any preparation work to the steel.)
For arc/stick welding consider the Bossweld S140, which is a great machine for welding steel, stainless steel and cast iron. The Bossweld 2.6mm General Purpose Electrode is a popular choice of electrode rod for this machine and is suitable for most beginner applications.
Arc/stick welding is best suited to outdoor environments because it can produce spatter and fume. In addition, the machines are easily portable and unaffected by windy conditions. However, arc welding can be challenging when working with thin sheet metal. When compared to MIG welding, it has a limited length of weld and can be less precise. (This should be taken into consideration when selecting the right welding machine.)
MIG welding is one of the most common welding processes. It is slightly more technical than arc/stick welding, but it can be up to four times faster and it also creates less splatter. MIG welding is great for general maintenance, D.I.Y. projects and automotive projects.
Gasless MIG welding can be used for welding rusted, painted or dirty metals and can be a good option for industrial applications, workshops or farm repairs. (It is not possible to weld aluminium with a gasless MIG welder.)
A high-quality gasless MIG welding machine such as the Bossweld M100 has the added benefit of being light, which means it is portable and great for indoor and outdoor environments.
Gasless MIG welding does not require a gas cylinder because it uses a specific flux-cored filler wire, such as the Bossweld 0.8mm x 0.9kg MIG wire, which is great for single pass applications and has added features of easy slag removal and low splatter.
Gas MIG welding is a process of welding where a continuous solid electrode wire is fed through a spool and carries a high current that heats the metals to form a join.
Gas MIG welding is suitable for both thick and thin materials including steel, stainless steel, aluminium alloys, and silicon bronze. This style of welding has the same benefits of a gasless welding machine, but it produces less splatter.
For gas MIG welding, the machine set-up will vary based on the application and the project to ensure the right welding wires, feed rollers and torch parts are being used for the project.
The Bossweld MST185 Plus is a versatile, multi-process gas MIG welder that can be used for a wide range of projects. Gas MIG welding is best suited for indoor applications because performance can be impacted by the wind and outdoor conditions. In addition, it requires a constant voltage and gas source.
Tip: Gas cylinders are readily and easily available for your project with our ‘Trade n Go’ service.
A multi-process welder can save you set-up time between swapping machines as it allows you to perform arc/stick, MIG and DC TIG welding all on one machine. They offer a wide range of welding possibilities, allowing you to be flexible and maximise your productivity from small D.I.Y. repairs to larger and more complex projects.
They are more cost-effective than purchasing multiple individual single process welders. However, they may be better suited to advanced welders as the setup can be more challenging due to different metals and welding processes requiring different gases, wires and parts.
Multi-process welders like the advanced Bossweld MST185 Plus support both gas and gasless welding and may be the best option for those looking to weld in a variety of applications, using a range of materials of various thickness.
Tip: The Bossweld 4.5kg Gasless MIG wire that comes in 2 sizes 0.8mm or 0.9mm is a good general-purpose wire for this machine and suits many applications.
Find out more about the Bossweld range of welding equipment.
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
