Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

> welder recommendation, for a beginner
JmuRiz
post Apr 5 2004, 09:50 PM
Post #1


914 Guru
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 5,434
Joined: 30-December 02
From: NoVA
Member No.: 50
Region Association: MidAtlantic Region
I would like to hear some suggestions for a beginner's welder. Preferably one that runs on 110...but if 220 is that much better it's not that big a deal. I am looking for something that is inexpensive and easy to learn with. Any help would be great, thanks!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
2 Pages V  1 2 >  
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
Replies(1 - 19)
Bleyseng
post Apr 5 2004, 09:52 PM
Post #2


Aircooled Baby!
**********

Group: Members
Posts: 13,035
Joined: 27-December 02
From: Seattle, Washington (for now)
Member No.: 24
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
Lincoln MIG wire feed with gas. I got mine at Costco for $299 a couple of years ago.

best damn tool I ever got


Geoff
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Gint
post Apr 5 2004, 10:01 PM
Post #3


Mike Ginter
***************

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,083
Joined: 26-December 02
From: Denver CO.
Member No.: 20
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
I'd pop the extra hundred bucks or so for a Hobart 135 or Miller 135. But that's just me. I'm sure the lincoln is a decent unit. And if you think you might end up buying a better (bigger, 220v, etc...) unit later, it would make sense tho save the $$$ up front.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Freedom
post Apr 5 2004, 10:23 PM
Post #4


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 79
Joined: 26-February 04
From: Colorado
Member No.: 1,722
i just bought a hobart 135 from a friend in kansas, now all i need to do is go get it and learn... never touched a welder in my life...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Gint
post Apr 5 2004, 10:38 PM
Post #5


Mike Ginter
***************

Group: Admin
Posts: 16,083
Joined: 26-December 02
From: Denver CO.
Member No.: 20
Region Association: Rocky Mountains
Me either until I bought mine. Check out this thread. My first real welding project
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ablose58
post Apr 5 2004, 11:26 PM
Post #6


rust never sleeps
***

Group: Members
Posts: 584
Joined: 6-December 03
From: port orchard,wa.
Member No.: 1,422
Depends on what kind of welding you intend on doing . the lincoln and miller are both decent welders for mig but are a little anemic for penetration. for tig i use either my lincoln square wave 300 or my miller buz box w/ a tig torch. Excellent for tig on carbon or stainless steel. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif) AL
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
dinomium
post Apr 5 2004, 11:30 PM
Post #7


Git on a chair son, all the good stuff is goin over yer head!
****

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 2,777
Joined: 2-January 03
From: Bremerton, WA
Member No.: 74
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
So good to live never kewl green cars, AL! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
mightyohm
post Apr 5 2004, 11:35 PM
Post #8


Advanced Member
****

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 2,277
Joined: 16-January 03
From: Seattle, WA
Member No.: 162
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
So which is more useful for a beginner setting up his home shop?

A compressor or a welder?

They cost about as much and they are both capable of doing a wide variety of things, depending on how much coin you spend.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
dinomium
post Apr 5 2004, 11:38 PM
Post #9


Git on a chair son, all the good stuff is goin over yer head!
****

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 2,777
Joined: 2-January 03
From: Bremerton, WA
Member No.: 74
Region Association: Pacific Northwest
I bought a good compressor first. I use it ever time I go in the garage! THE best tool in the world is the impact ratchet!!! taking things apart is almost easy (914land!!) and no more raked knuckles!
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
airsix
post Apr 5 2004, 11:49 PM
Post #10


I have bees in my epiglotis
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,196
Joined: 7-February 03
From: Kennewick Man (E. WA State)
Member No.: 266
I'm with Mike. I love my Hobart Handler 135. Very good quality, easy to use, and I've never needed more power (I've welded up to 5/8" plate with it).

Haynes has a good basic welding book for $13 that will help you get off to a good start.

-Ben M.

ps- get shielding gas. Flux-core sucks unless you're outside in the wind.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ablose58
post Apr 6 2004, 12:03 AM
Post #11


rust never sleeps
***

Group: Members
Posts: 584
Joined: 6-December 03
From: port orchard,wa.
Member No.: 1,422
Yes flux core sux! hey dino what do you mean? Al (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
campbellcj
post Apr 6 2004, 12:31 AM
Post #12


I can't Re Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,550
Joined: 26-December 02
From: Agoura, CA
Member No.: 21
Region Association: Southern California
You guys almost have me convinced to join the welder ranks.

I betcha the local schools or community centers even have classes where I could learn not to catch my clothes on fire, and other basic stuff like that (IMG:style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

In typical 914 fashion there are probably half a dozen things on my 914 right now that could stand some welding...plus a few honey-doos around the house as well (wrought iron fence repairs for example).

I haven't seen any welders at Costco lately. Any other recommended local sources, Sears maybe?
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
campbellcj
post Apr 6 2004, 12:36 AM
Post #13


I can't Re Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,550
Joined: 26-December 02
From: Agoura, CA
Member No.: 21
Region Association: Southern California
BTW I agree that air tools rock! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

I'm just getting started with them, but already the cut-off and die-grinder are getting a fair amount of use. And an impact wrench for wheel swaps is an unbelieveable back & arm saver (not to mention -time-) compared to hand tools.

I plan to pick up a paint gun and maybe a 3/8" ratchet before too long.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
lapuwali
post Apr 6 2004, 01:13 AM
Post #14


Not another one!
****

Group: Benefactors
Posts: 4,526
Joined: 1-March 04
From: San Mateo, CA
Member No.: 1,743
I'll agree on the compressor v. welder thing. Get a compressor first. Air tools are cheaper than electric power tools, so you can have a wider variety w/o spending any more money. You'll never had to depend on a gas station pump to air up your tires again.

As for the welder, remember that most inexpensive wire-feed welders aren't really "MIG" even though they may use that term. MIG requires a shielding gas (argon, usually) to be MIG (Metal Inert Gas). You can weld mild steel w/o gas, but not much else. No stainless, no aluminum. Think about what you plan to use the welder for. If you're going to do structural bodywork (suspension console, longs, etc), then a wire-feed welder is adequate. If you're doing finish bodywork (fenders, other things that will be seen), one disadvantage with MIG is that the welds are very hard (usually much harder than the surrounding metal), which makes grinding them flush a lot more difficult. MIG is pretty easy to learn.

TIG is very expensive (5x what MIG costs), but with training you can weld anything with it. TIG will produce the best looking welds with the least practice.

Gas welding gear is cheap, but it's far and away the hardest to learn to do well.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ablose58
post Apr 6 2004, 02:45 AM
Post #15


rust never sleeps
***

Group: Members
Posts: 584
Joined: 6-December 03
From: port orchard,wa.
Member No.: 1,422
Tig is relatively inexp. if you buy an ac/dc buzzbox and hook up a weldcraft tig torch to it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wavey.gif) however you have no hi-freq start so tig on alum. is out but works most excellent on fenders, any carbon steel and also stainless w\argon shielding gas! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/pirate.gif) AL
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
chunger
post Apr 6 2004, 05:58 AM
Post #16


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 409
Joined: 11-January 03
From: Albany, CA
Member No.: 133
I'm just a hack newbie, but I've been pretty happy with my millermatic 135 w/ gas.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/calvin.gif)

And start trying to "stick" stuff to my car.

Now I have enough tools to get me in trouble. Problem is it's just light enough for me to lug around so I haven't built a cart for it yet. . . like others have. I didn't have 220 so I had to use a 110 unit. I liked the larger Miller though when I got to play at Brad's old shop. It was smoother.


-'Chung


Attached thumbnail(s)
Attached Image
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
sj914
post Apr 6 2004, 06:02 AM
Post #17


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 805
Joined: 20-August 03
From: San Jose, CA
Member No.: 1,053
Since we are on the subject of welders. Has anyone heard or used a Henrob 2000. It's an oxy/actyl welder, but easier to learn.

The first time I saw it was on American Hotrod.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
ChrisFoley
post Apr 6 2004, 06:17 AM
Post #18


I am Tangerine Racing
*****

Group: Members
Posts: 7,937
Joined: 29-January 03
From: Bolton, CT
Member No.: 209
Region Association: None
QUOTE(sj914 @ Apr 6 2004, 08:02 AM)
Since we are on the subject of welders. Has anyone heard or used a Henrob 2000. It's an oxy/actyl welder, but easier to learn.

I'm going to a Henrob demo today. Their new torch looks very cool.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
seanery
post Apr 6 2004, 07:18 AM
Post #19


waiting to rebuild whitey!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 15,854
Joined: 7-January 03
From: Indy
Member No.: 100
Region Association: None
For a beginner, the Miller 135 is the way to go.

Chris C. there are several good welding supply places in LA. When my buddy was looking, he found quite a few supply houses. He worked the price back and forth between the two. Look in one of the 12 yellow pages you get there for welding supply or oxygen or gas supply.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Brett W
post Apr 6 2004, 07:30 AM
Post #20


Advanced Member
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,856
Joined: 17-September 03
From: huntsville, al
Member No.: 1,169
Region Association: None
Go ahead and spring for the new miller squarewave machine. You can't get much better than that and all of your friends will love you. JK go for the miller or the small Lincoln. Make sure you go with all of the accessories to hook up a gas bottle. Leave that flux core for the guys welding their lawnmowers. You may want to go ahead and get the 220.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

2 Pages V  1 2 >
Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Switch to: Standard · Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 15th June 2024 - 02:00 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...