Sweiswerk

Sweiswerk buying guide

Veldkraft lists 265 sweiswerk, priced from R7 to R33 808, from brands including Strike-arc, Afrox, RYOBI Power Equipment, Pioneer Safety. Orders are delivered to all nine provinces and to Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Lesotho and Eswatini.

What welding gear do you need?

Every job needs a welding machine, the right consumables and protective gear. This range includes inverter welders such as the Strike-Arc 200 amp Smart, E6013 electrodes, MIG wire, contact tips, liners and shrouds, TIG torch collet bodies, plasma cutter nozzles and an acetylene flashback arrestor. Earth clamps, cable lugs and connectors complete the circuit, and helmets, lenses, gloves and goggles protect the welder. Brands include Afrox, Strike-arc, RYOBI Power Equipment, Pioneer Safety, Promax and Tempir.

Choosing an inverter welding machine

Choose a welder by output current, duty cycle and power supply. Output in amps sets the electrode size and steel thickness it can handle, and a 200 amp inverter runs the common 2.5 mm and 4.0 mm electrodes. Duty cycle is the share of a ten-minute period the machine can weld at a given current before it must rest. Check the input requirement against your 230 V supply or generator, because a welder near full output draws heavy current.

Stick or MIG welding?

Stick welding, also called arc or MMA, is the simpler choice for farm and field repairs, because it works outdoors in wind, on thicker steel and on metal that is not perfectly clean. MIG welding feeds wire continuously, so it is faster and neater on thin sheet and long seams. Solid MIG wire needs shielding gas, which wind blows away outdoors, while flux-cored wire works without gas. If you run a MIG welder, keep wire, tips and liners matched.

Choose the right electrode size

E6013 is a general-purpose electrode for mild steel and the usual choice for farm and workshop repairs. Use 2.5 mm rods for thinner steel and lower current, and 4.0 mm rods for thicker steel and higher current, setting the amperage within the range printed on the packet. Packs here run from 1 kg to 5 kg. Electrodes absorb moisture, which causes porous, spattery welds, so store them sealed and dry.

Match MIG wire, liner, tip and nozzle

Every MIG consumable must match the wire diameter. A 0.9 mm wire needs a 0.9 mm contact tip, and the liner must cover that size, such as the blue liners for 0.6 to 0.9 mm wire. Thicker 1 mm wire needs its own tip and a liner rated for it. An 18 kg roll needs a wire feeder made for large spools. Shrouds and nozzles suit specific torch types, such as MB 25.

Protect your eyes, hands and lungs

Never weld without a helmet and a correctly shaded lens, because arc light burns eyes and skin. Shade 10 is common for stick welding at moderate current; higher currents need a darker shade, so check the lens maker's chart. Clear cover glass protects the lens from spatter. Wear chrome leather gloves, use goggles for grinding and chipping, and weld in a ventilated space. Fit a flashback arrestor on oxy-acetylene torches.

Sweiswerk: common questions

What size welding machine do I need?

For farm, home and workshop repairs on mild steel, a 200 amp inverter covers the common 2.5 mm and 4.0 mm electrodes. Heavier plate and long runs at high current need more output and a higher duty cycle. Check that your power supply or generator can carry the welder's input current at your working output.

How much do welding machines and supplies cost in South Africa?

Veldkraft lists 265 welding products priced from R7 to R33 808. Cover glass, contact tips and gloves sit at the low end, with welding machines and bulk wire rolls at the higher end. Price rises with output current, duty cycle, spool or pack weight, and the grade of helmet and protective gear.

Which welding rod should I use for mild steel?

An E6013 electrode is the usual all-round choice for mild steel repairs, gates, trailers and farm equipment. It strikes easily, runs on AC or DC machines and leaves a neat bead with slag that chips off easily. Choose the rod diameter to suit the steel thickness.

Can I run a welder off a generator?

Often yes, but the generator must be big enough. Inverter welders draw heavy current near full output, so compare the welder's maximum input power with the generator's continuous rating, not its peak rating, and leave a margin. A generator that is too small makes the arc cut out and can harm the welder's electronics.

Do I need gas for MIG welding?

It depends on the wire. Solid MIG wire needs shielding gas from a cylinder through a regulator, which gives clean welds indoors but struggles in wind. Flux-cored wire carries its shielding inside the wire, so it works without gas and suits outdoor repairs. Check that your machine supports the wire type and polarity you plan to use.

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