Welders - I want to weld.

[Tiretoter]

I just bought a Lincoln Handy MIG. It will weld flux core or shielded MIG wire. Havent started using it yet but will let you know soon how it does.

 

[mikes86ttop]

miller

Picked up a miller 212 autoset a couple months ago...hands down the best I've ever used its the first and last welder ill ever buy!!! Costs some coin but buy once you'll just get aggravated with the harbor garbage

 

[Mike E]

If your budget is low, spend it taking a class instead of buying a cheap welder. You'll get to weld with quality equipment and you'll have someone to teach you the right way to do things.

I can't think of a worse way to learn welding than doing it by yourself with cheap equipment.

If you end up looking for a tig, look for a miller diversion 165 or 180. You might be able to find them used by now. They don't require a huge power circuit like one of the large/ heavy transformer machines. You can run it off your dryer plug if you want. The diversion imo welds better than a transformer machine. I've welded everything from fabricated 9" housings and cages to sheetmetal intakes with mine.

 

[turbofabricator]

I agree with Mean Mike. You can buy cheap tools and bust your knuckles when they break. Welders are not created equal. I have a a Lincoln 175 square wave TIG that I use for steel and stainless, I use my Miller 250HF for aluminum cause it'll weld .5" all day and not weeze. (though my power meter spins like a top. ) I have a Miller 185 MIG and would also like a 115v small mig for thin mild steel, though my 185 works fine. I use a hyperthem Plasma and it'll cut anything that conducts electrity like a hot knife through butter. I have welded 1/2" aluminum with the 175 Lincoln TIG, BUT it requires pre-heat. I also converted my Licoln to water cooled which helps alot, too. I just plumbed an freezer ice maker water line over to the machine and used that instead of a dedicated cooler. Cost me about $200 (including the torch) to convert to water cooled instead of $750+ for the water cooler package.

Wendy......(by the way WHO would name thier kid Wendy anyway? Shoulda been "SUE") Buy a good welder. Start with oxy/actylene, then buy a MIG, then a TIG. They are ALOT of fun. (and expensive to buy and operate) Hand out in a weld shop that'll let you,and watch, watch, watch. If they can put up with a boy named Sue long enough you'll learn way more than a intro to welding class. Some welders will show you tricks of the trade that no class envirionment can. Offer to sweep their floor or debur parts prior to them welding. (a case of beer helps, too) If you weren't so far from me I'd let you sweep the floor and wash my truck in exchange for a 3.5 minute lesson on TIG welding.

 

[Scott A.]

Spend the money once....I bought a 120v Lincoln 140A MIG several years ago and its great up to 1/4", but I'm ready to upgrade to at least a 180A unit. Picked up a Lincoln buzz box at an auction a few years ago and weld the thick stuff with it. That takes some getting used to once you get good with wire welding. Then I picked up the oxy/actylene and had fun! Now I'm looking for a plasma cutter. Be carefull, it can be addictive!

 

[Nasty Wendy]

What the verdict on this?

NEW 3in1 50A PLASMA CUTTER 200 AMP TIG STICK/ARC WELDER | eBay

I had to ask about it being that they are ALL OVER ebay. Figured maybe someone has some experience with it. I know.....Miller, Lincoln, HTP......

 

[DR BOOST]

eastwood has a tig on sale right now.

i gave up on welding.

i can tig a perfect stack of dimes, but i mig nasty caterpillars...then Turboburick comes around and can lay down perfect welds with a stick welder that looks like a 50's jukebox.

im gonna stick with jb weld, the kitchen is too hot for me.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Some welders will show you tricks of the trade that no class envirionment can. Offer to sweep their floor or debur parts prior to them welding. (a case of beer helps, too) If you weren't so far from me I'd let you sweep the floor and wash my truck in exchange for a 3.5 minute lesson on TIG welding.

Dang man. Why do I always miss out on the good deals?

 

[notacarlo]

I was trained by torch, stick, then mig, then tig....which I think is the natural progression. Each one lends a skill to the next in understanding how metals react.

A 220 machine with the ability to arc and tig and a 120 machine for mig.
I can fix your headers with a torch and a coat hanger.

 

[ek02]

I bought an Eastwood MIG 175 with a spool gun for aluminum, and a cart and helmet for 600.00, shipped. The price has gone up a little now. It is a 220V unit with a wierd plug that I had to make an adapter cord for so it would plug into a standard dryer outlet. The MIG works well with a small bottle of CO2/Argon. The spool gun works great on aluminum with pure argon. The only problem was the cart had to be modified to be able to open the side door. The heat settings on their chart seem to be too high also. I have had to get the settings right on a scrap piece before welding on the actual job. Once set, it works great. I welded 1/8" up to 1/4" aluminum with it, and the welds look nice. I want the Eastwood TIG for 900.00 too, but can't justify it right now. It would be great for building stainless headers. I use oxy/ acetylene now for mild steel headers. I also have an antique Lincoln stick welder. No welder does everything. Stick, MIG, Oxy/Acetylene, and TIG all have their place. A set of torches and a MIG with a spool gun is a pretty good combo to start with.

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Thanks for the insight to everyone. I have decisions to make now. Thanks again and by all means keep posting as I will be checking this thread every time I see a new post.

 

[charlief1]

New post.:biggrin:

 

[charlief1]

New post.:biggrin:

:biggrin:

 

[charlief1]

New post.:biggrin:

:biggrin:

:biggrin:

Just making sure you're checkin it Wendy.:biggrin:

 

[Nasty Wendy]

First thing I'm gonna weld is Charlie's fingers together.

 

[Black Power]

First thing I'm gonna weld is Charlie's fingers together.

I'll give you a lesson afterwards if you do. I want to make sure when you weld his fingers you make it look like "pteradactyl sh*t" :biggrin::biggrin::biggrin:

 

[BandAid]

EastWoods Mig 135---compared to Lincoln Mig Pak

for $299 thats a steal....

Product Reviews - MIG Welder 110VAC/ 135A Output

hmm in 2 hrs its my B day.....

 

[charlief1]

First thing I'm gonna weld is Charlie's fingers together.

:biggrin:

 

[Bruce Urie]

And like all the good things in life, proper penetration is the key.
__________________
Eric

Yes, the key to 18 years of child support payments...

Bruce '87 Grand National

 

[Nasty Wendy]

Proper penetration makes a good puddle right?