Hi Max and Norm
Did they make those ariens out of steel or alloy? or is it just a chute attachment rusted through. Norm, there one of those ariens on gumtree at the moment with a briggs intek - $570. looks like it has variable speed SP? there is a dial with SP speed on it in 5th picture
MF, I mentioned months ago I bought the little Ozito inverter welder. Display model (just the unit, wires, the rod holder and earth clamp) for $50ish. Coming up to EOFY now, so keep an eye at bunnings and you will probably see some out
I then over the next months got a chipping hammer, few different sizes of gen purpose and a few low hydrogen for about 70% off on the clearance trolley.
Add this for about $40
https://www.bunnings.com.au/ozito-fixed-shade-11-auto-darkening-welding-helmet_p0263937 and a pair of welding gloves (and leather apron if you see fit) and you are pretty well set to arc weld.
Do not weld anything you cant afford to destroy for the 2 hours of welding.
I had only mig or oxy welded before this - mig you have to negotiate wire feed speed with voltage with gas feed and get them all spot on (not impossible but whenever I have ever thought its right, any experienced welder nearby will be able to hear something isn't crackling right. I love to oxy weld, but the gas bottles size and $$$ are getting up there.
As you can see the little ozito is literally the size of a victa catcher flap and about 8 inch thick
