"hedbutter" (hedbutter)
11/05/2019 at 09:36 • Filed to: None
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"hedbutter" (hedbutter)
11/05/2019 at 09:36 • Filed to: None | 0
| 14 |
Oppo- as I seem to have some cash leftover from sell the Long Bed Comanche , I decided to start looking into finally getting a welder. I’ve done a small amount of welding (a week of classes one summer) but have always wanted to learn how to do more. I’d like to spend no more than a grand on one. I do have access to a 240v plug.
HammerheadFistpunch
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 09:44 |
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I've only ever used my hobart, but no complaints from me.
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hedbutter
> HammerheadFistpunch
11/05/2019 at 09:49 |
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Thanks- any specific model or just whatever fits in my price range?
benjrblant
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 09:53 |
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Any specific process? I’d go with TIG if you can, gas-shielded MIG if not. IMO, Miller seems quite pricey for a good machine and might be a bit overkill for the home-gamer, but that’s my only experience with any brand of machine.
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HammerheadFistpunch
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 09:54 |
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mine is a basic 120 but it's been dead reliable for 30 years
This is what we'll show whenever you publish anything on Kinja:
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 09:55 |
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Miller Electric spent a lot of money on product placement in many of our favorite automotive reality shows over the years, so you kinda owe it to them I guess.
Sovande
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 10:01 |
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I have a Hobart Handler 140 which can weld up to 1/4" and runs off a regular 110 outlet. Can run gas or flux and is easy to use and easy to set up. Mine has been great for 8 years.
Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 10:12 |
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My wife has been running a Miller wire feed with shielding gas 240v for years now with minimum of troubles. There is also Lincoln, you can’t go wrong with either. If you don’t want to use a shielding gas you could use flux core wire but maybe quality of weld won’t be quite as good. Old timers like to weld with stick but I reserve that for things like heavy equipment and >1/4" thickness.
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hedbutter
> benjrblant
11/05/2019 at 10:30 |
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No specific process that i’m leaning towards, just looking to see what others recommend.
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Sovande
> Sovande
11/05/2019 at 10:31 |
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And you should be able to get everything for under a grand with that machine - including a gas tank. And a nice helmet makes a world of difference in my experience. I have an Esab Sentinel which is really nice.
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hedbutter
> Sovande
11/05/2019 at 10:39 |
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Ohhh, thats a good point. Other than the helmet and machine, what other things do i need (i know the first project is always building a welding cart)
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Sovande
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 10:49 |
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I bought a welding cart - or I guess it came with the whole bundle. Make sure you get the gauges for a gas tank, gloves, possibly a respirator that fits inside the helmet, extra welder tips, a chipping hammer, a handheld wire brush, a wire brush for a drill and grinder with flap disks to clean things up. I also ended up with both a vertical and horizontal band saw.
The 80 cubic foot tank I got cost $260 filled with 75/25 Argon/Co2. I would bet it will last me a year.
The next thing you will probably want is a welding table and some clamps.
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200471413_200471413
https://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200027624_200027624
VincentMalamute-Kim
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 10:51 |
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‘more power’ is good advice in welders, I think. I bought this one.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mig-welder-175-amp-with-spool-gun.html
My only other experience was a $99 generic unit which was crap. So not a lot of experience other than the Eastwood works and does what I want it to do.
A friend has a Hobart 140 - he’s been happy with it but the power is starting to limit him. He wants to get a nicer bigger one and is looking at the $1K Lincoln welders. Because electronic this and that power control; stuff that is beyond me.
You definitely want to use gas. So buy a tank. Also need an auto-darkening helmet. I haven’t found the super expensive ones any better than the medium cost ones . Lots of bad UV radiation so you want welding gloves, jacket to cover all bare skin.
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VincentMalamute-Kim
> Sovande
11/05/2019 at 11:04 |
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Good point about respirator. I always use one. I bought one of the folding tables too.
A friend took a video of me welding at night.
I was shocked at the amount of fumes I was surrounded by even though I was
welding outside.
sn4cktimes
> hedbutter
11/05/2019 at 12:48 |
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MIG!
Wait, I should read the post....
MIG with gas. Use gas, argon best, but most expensive . Just use a bottle exchange program with a welding supply s to re.
Miller, Lincoln, ESAB all make great machines and have generally the easiest to source parts and servicing as they’re industry used machines.
I’ve got an Everlast 110-240 TIG/Stick/Plasma cutter combo machine that’s worked well for me and was priced nicely. Probably find some of the exhaust things I’ve done in my posts. I’ve got 240V in my garage (as I wired it up with the wife’s cousin) I’ve also used it at a friends house on his little trailer project on 110V with some E 7018DC rods and it worked admirably . MIG is generally the best for hobby, and / or light repairs of most steel stuff. TIG requires the most skill, but can be used to weld pretty much any metal, but is not the fastest production speed.