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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Crescent Head NSW
    Posts
    43

    Default Equivalent to Qld's Trade Tools in Sydney? . .. and welding/compressor advice please

    Hi there I live in the sticks on the north NSW coast and was in the process of ordering a welder and air compressor and related gear from Trade Tools in Qld when they told me the freight was going to cost $400 which for what I was ordering was prohibitive.

    I am going to Sydney this weekend and wondered if anyone knew of a good, similar organisation for such goods?

    If anyone has time, I would also value some advice - I am a starter in both these areas but my mates have been at me for years to get kitted out for my farm - advice to me so far is along the lines of:

    Welding -
    • start with Arc/stick welding and learn the art;
    • don't go less than 170A;
    • get an auto darkening helmet;
    • get 2.5mm rods and keep them in an air tight container; and
    • also magnets, hammer and wire brush.


    Compressor
    -
    • go with belt drive cast iron and;
    • not less than 200 LPM (litres per minute?) of FAD (free air delivery?);
    • get a good sized tank;
    • about 3HP motor; and
    • retractable hose of 10m suggested.


    Any confirmation or advice to the contrary would be valued. I have read the various posts/threads around this but ended up a bit confused!

    thanks, Sean

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2011
    Location
    Murray Bridge S Aust.
    Age
    71
    Posts
    5,942

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by seanlark View Post
    Hi there I live in the sticks on the north NSW coast and was in the process of ordering a welder and air compressor and related gear from Trade Tools in Qld when they told me the freight was going to cost $400 which for what I was ordering was prohibitive.

    I am going to Sydney this weekend and wondered if anyone knew of a good, similar organisation for such goods?

    If anyone has time, I would also value some advice - I am a starter in both these areas but my mates have been at me for years to get kitted out for my farm - advice to me so far is along the lines of:

    Welding -
    • start with Arc/stick welding and learn the art;
    • don't go less than 170A;
    • get an auto darkening helmet;
    • get 2.5mm rods and keep them in an air tight container; and
    • also magnets, hammer and wire brush.


    Compressor
    -
    • go with belt drive cast iron and;
    • not less than 200 LPM (litres per minute?) of FAD (free air delivery?);
    • get a good sized tank;
    • about 3HP motor; and
    • retractable hose of 10m suggested.


    Any confirmation or advice to the contrary would be valued. I have read the various posts/threads around this but ended up a bit confused!

    thanks, Sean
    Hi Sean,
    In regards to the welder, everything suggested is good, except for the rods, I would suggest getting 3.25 rods also, as these will allow for welding of thicker material with out having to do multiple runs. Also regarding the size of welder look at the duty cycle, 100% at 50 amps is not good, look for something in the vicinity of 100% at 130amps or better. Sure most welding is only small short runs, but there is always the chance that a major project or repair will entail welding for about an hour or more. The higher duty cycle amps, the better. It is cheaper to buy it now, rather than in a few years time having to replacing it, because it is too small.
    As to the Compressor, I would possibly look at a petrol engined unit, as this can be taken out into the paddock and used with a variety of air tools, (drills, grinders, even star picket drivers are available now days) pumping up tyres,
    Kryn

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Crescent Head NSW
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Thanks Kryn - useful pointer regarding the duty cycle - regards Sean

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    59

    Default

    I wouldn't get to hung up on the duty cycle
    There is a lot of misinformation about what this means
    The most an experienced welder, with every thing set up correctly can get is about 35 to 40%
    the time taken to change rods and reposition is taken into account
    It is unlikely that you will exceed the duty cycle on a machine if its max is anything over 25%
    Just make sure you get one from a proper welding shop and not bunnings and you will be fine

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Location
    Vic
    Posts
    5,629

    Default

    Haven't used them myself but have heard that they're reasonably good.

    SYDNEY TOOLS
    Cheers

    DJ


    ​ADMIN

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2013
    Location
    Wynnum
    Posts
    1

    Default Some Welding Tips

    Hi,definitely go with the auto darkening helmet, once you've used one you won't regret it, and as for welding magnets for setting up, have a look at the range of Magswitch ranges of them before you get any of the cheapies off ebay etc, their greatest asset is that you can turn the magnet off and all the metal slag, filings etc just drop off them, instead of painstakeingly attempting to clean them and end up throwing them away, a little bit dearer to set up initially but I've found them well worth the extra cost. Also they have an electrode magnet for welders instead of a clamp but is only good for welding steel only obviously, hope this helps, cheers dazza

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2012
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    67

    Default

    I've bought quite a lot of gear from Sydney Tools. They're a high-volume retailer and their prices reflect their volume discounts from suppliers. I've found them ok to deal with but I've known exactly what I've wanted before buying. Can't comment on their advice or after-sales service. I bought a MIG from Days Industrial and was very satisfied with both price and service. No affilation, just a happy customer. Day's Industrial

    Have a look at equipment listed on Machines4U: Sell Welding Equipment | Buy Welding Equipment for Sale Australia
    You'll get a range of prices and retailers that may assist in your purchasing decisions. .. Peter

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Crescent Head NSW
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Thanks everyone really appreciate the advice - you experienced guys are very good about sharing knowledge and tips which is a massive help to those of us starting out.

    on the strength of a few posts on different threads here I looked into BOC smootharc welders expecting them to come in way above others - what a pleasant surprise to find them on a special via BOC dealers such that the 170A unit comes in at $269 so I have ordered one. An experienced farming friend has offered to show me the ropes. (In case anyone is interested the 130A model is presently $230) which to my uneducated eye seems very good.

    cheers Sean

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    65

    Default

    I think we are a bit spoilt having Trade Tools up here. Bob the Welder is at Ballina. Is that near you?

    Bob the Welder

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Crescent Head NSW
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Balina is a good 4 hours away but that is still a good site link thanks

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    65

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by seanlark View Post
    on the strength of a few posts on different threads here I looked into BOC smootharc welders expecting them to come in way above others - what a pleasant surprise to find them on a special via BOC dealers such that the 170A unit comes in at $269 so I have ordered one. An experienced farming friend has offered to show me the ropes. (In case anyone is interested the 130A model is presently $230) which to my uneducated eye seems very good.

    cheers Sean
    These BOC specials last until the end of this month (July) I got my Plasma cutter last month from them because of the pricing and looked pretty closely at the 170 amp welder too but decided since I have never used my stick welder since I purchased my MIG I would exercise self control. They also have some nice units in the $800 price bracket too as part of the sale but they are not as deeply discounted as the baby units.

    So now you have got your welder, you can look at compressors. I think the best out there is Pilot and you pay a premium price for them. I recently bought a second hand one cheap which I refurbished. They still had parts on the shelf for a 1992 vintage compressor Pilot Air Compressors | Compressed Air Specialists | Australia Wide Sales Spares & Service They should be available somewhere locally but Hare and Forbes sell them while you are in Sydney. See C505 | TM450 Air Compressor | machineryhouse.com.au

    BOC also have compressors which meet your criteria. Both Pilot and BOC are over $1k so if you are not prepared to spend that, consider Boss Air Compressors up here in Brissy who are competitve with Trade Tools. They may have a better freight deal. Their gear to me looks superior to Trade Tools and they don't push the specs by overrevving the pump. Boss Compressors - Home

    Good luck with your seach. You have reminded me that I have to buy some plasma consumables from BOC this month, what was I saying about restraint? I wonder if I will be able to leave the welder behind?

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Crescent Head NSW
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Compressor: thanks RodWeb, great information which will be helpful to others who are going through what I have just experienced - as it turns out I have already committed to a compressor - I got the BOC (17 cfm Tri I think it is called) - it was on a special - 300LPM unit which apparently normally retails for $1800 was at $990 - seemed good to me! So now I have the welder and the compressor but with little knowledge and lots to learn. (looking at the guarantee stuff the compressor does appear to be a Peerless product so hope that is okay?)

    Fortunately I have a few farming mates who know how green I am and will no doubt take me in hand. It will cost a few slabs of beer along the way but all good. BOC have been outstanding to deal with - accessible, helpful, efficient and reliable & the documentation is good, well supported by a good web presence. (I have never dealt with or considered them before as I felt they were out of my league and only dealt with full time trades people.)

    Conversion 15A to 10A - one thing that did catch me out - both my new welder and compressor are 15A and a few mates suggested merely cut off the 15A plug and replace with a 10A plug - so I searched around and read that would not be too wise and came across a conversion unit from Jaycar (product reference MS4044f and cost $79.95) which allows you to use such units connected to 10A plugs - they provide a certificate of approval with it which can be viewed on their website. Seems like a better bet than re-wiring etc and hopefully it will carry the load. At least it will be safe which is the main thing.

    all the best, Sean

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Oct 2011
    Location
    Brisbane
    Posts
    65

    Default

    Sean, your compressor will be fine. I am no expert but i think Peerless have been round for a long time too. That was an awesome price! As far as power draw goes, I recently refurbished an old Pilot compressor and had the motor tested and it had a 15 amp plugin it. The motor plate said 12 amps and the repairer said it was drawing 6 amps which was within expectations. I am running it on a standard circuit at the moment but I shortly I will fit a 15 amp point for it and my welder.

    I would recommend that you fit a 15 amp power point. I have an old stick welder with the earth pin filed down so it fits a standard power point but on a long weld it would trip the circuit. I have a 200 amp MIG welder and have always run an extension lead to it from a 15 amp point.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    Bit late in on this discussion, but it sounds like you've made some pretty solid choices.

    With regard to welders, as you're starting out, I'd have suggested going for the Smootharc 130, as it'll run a 3.25mm rod, which is plenty for most tasks, and will actually deliver up to 160 amps. The 10 amp plug means you can use it *anywhere*. Once you'd got the hang of stick, you could then consider getting a bigger 200+ amp combo machine (i.e. MIG & stick) that'd allow you to run bigger rods where needed.

    That said, apart from the 15A plug hassle, I expect you'll be fine with what you've ordered.

    One thing to keep in mind - magnets tend to make the DC arc go a bit weird, and can make it hard to get the pool started where you want it - particularly on fillet welds. If possible, you want to remove the magnet once you've tacked the joint.

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jun 2013
    Location
    Crescent Head NSW
    Posts
    43

    Default

    Thanks RustyArc regarding magnets. It is brilliant getting all these useful pointers from experienced members and will benefit many of us new to these arts. Sean

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