"Slant6" (slant-6)
12/31/2013 at 10:07 • Filed to: None
0
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"Slant6" (slant-6)
12/31/2013 at 10:07 • Filed to: None | 0
| 10 |
http://www.amazon.com/Campbell-Hausf…
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I'm a high school student with no welding experience. I want to do exhaust and other small welds. Would a cheap stick welder work? I only have about $100 at any given time so I can't really afford a MIG or TIG.
Jeremy Bloyd-Peshkin
> Slant6
12/31/2013 at 10:29 |
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Although a stick welder can be very useful, I don't think it's the right tool for the job here. Exhaust tends to be thin-walled tubing that's tricky to weld stick (and even harder to learn on). And if you want to do anything larger (structural things) then 70A won't be enough. Here's what I would suggest:
I don't know where you are, but check the hackerspaces.org wiki and see if there's a hackerspace near you. A hackerspace is like a communal workshop. You pay a monthly fee, and then you can learn to use all of their tools. They usually have good welders.
My other suggestion would be to save a little longer and pick up wither a used mig on craigslist (around me, you can often find an older milller for ~$200) or buy one of the marvelously sketchy but still perfectly useable Harbor freight welders. They will only cost slightly more than the one you linked to.
Then practice. Make sure you can lay a clean weld on thin metal before you do exhaust or things will get.... interesting.
If you have any questions, ask away. I'll do my best until browndogwelding gets in here and sets us all straight.
erspimp03
> Slant6
12/31/2013 at 10:51 |
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Stick welding is a bit of a pain, but it is doable. After a month of practice, you may be able to weld an exhaust (it won't be pretty though).
You will probably want a higher amperage welder, 70 amps is not very practical and you won't be able to use any decent rod with it. 1/16 rod is seriously flimsy, 5/64 rod is hard to find, and you won't be able to use any 3/32 rod except for 6013 at the highest setting. With such a low amperage, striking an arc becomes difficult and if you miss enough you will screw up your welds.
I suggest saving a bit and buying a MIG or at least a welder that has a higher rating - go 240V if you can. There are lots of tools you can skimp on but try not to do it with a welder, every time you draw a bead you will regret not buying a better one.
Pixel
> erspimp03
12/31/2013 at 10:57 |
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Speaking as someone who has been swearing at a cheap walmart welder for the last few days, they are right, don't buy a cheap welder if you can avoid it.
Takuro Spirit
> Slant6
12/31/2013 at 10:58 |
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I asked for and got one of the cheap-o Harbor Freight wire welders. Gonna learn how to use it decently, and do some patch repairs on my T/A with it, which is why I wanted it.
So we're kinda in the same boat. The reviews and videos I watched on YouTube made it seem like a decent starter welder, good for light repairs and crafts and what not.
TurboSloth
> Takuro Spirit
12/31/2013 at 11:19 |
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I want to make a tire rack, and I have a coupon for 30% off anything at HF. You think if I bought a welder, a tire rack would hold (8 tires, 4 rims)?
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Takuro Spirit
> TurboSloth
12/31/2013 at 11:27 |
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Yeah. One of the videos the guy welded some 1/4 tubing together and deemed it "strong enough to hold a fat person".
You can tell a Finn but you can't tell him much
> Slant6
12/31/2013 at 11:30 |
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Since you mention exhaust and small welds I assume you are talking about sheet metal. For exhaust you definitely don't want to try welding it with stick. Find a small diameter wire welder for doing that.
Check out Craigslist or somewhere to see if you can find a decent used welder. Or possibly you can get access to a welder at your high school? That way you would have better equipment and possibly some decent instruction.
Jake, Yes, wearing khakis
> Slant6
12/31/2013 at 11:59 |
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Ive used a few stick welders before. Usually what we call "farm" welders. They work great if you need a welder and have no other choice. I say buy it, worst case you'll still have it when you go to buy a tig or mig.
desertdog5051
> Slant6
12/31/2013 at 13:26 |
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Often times you can oxy-acetylene easier on thin sheet. Results are just as good.
Wpro3
> Slant6
12/31/2013 at 15:50 |
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You will have trouble trying to stick/smaw on thin wall material. Avoid the cheap ac buzz box welders