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> welder recommendation, for a beginner
JmuRiz
post Apr 5 2004, 09:50 PM
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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!
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Bleyseng
post Apr 5 2004, 09:52 PM
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Lincoln MIG wire feed with gas. I got mine at Costco for $299 a couple of years ago.

best damn tool I ever got


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Gint
post Apr 5 2004, 10:01 PM
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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.
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Freedom
post Apr 5 2004, 10:23 PM
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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...
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Gint
post Apr 5 2004, 10:38 PM
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Me either until I bought mine. Check out this thread. My first real welding project
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ablose58
post Apr 5 2004, 11:26 PM
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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
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dinomium
post Apr 5 2004, 11:30 PM
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So good to live never kewl green cars, AL! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/beer3.gif)
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mightyohm
post Apr 5 2004, 11:35 PM
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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.
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dinomium
post Apr 5 2004, 11:38 PM
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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!
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airsix
post Apr 5 2004, 11:49 PM
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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.
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ablose58
post Apr 6 2004, 12:03 AM
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Yes flux core sux! hey dino what do you mean? Al (IMG:style_emoticons/default/unsure.gif)
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campbellcj
post Apr 6 2004, 12:31 AM
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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?
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campbellcj
post Apr 6 2004, 12:36 AM
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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.
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lapuwali
post Apr 6 2004, 01:13 AM
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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.
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ablose58
post Apr 6 2004, 02:45 AM
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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
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chunger
post Apr 6 2004, 05:58 AM
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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


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sj914
post Apr 6 2004, 06:02 AM
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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.
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ChrisFoley
post Apr 6 2004, 06:17 AM
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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.
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seanery
post Apr 6 2004, 07:18 AM
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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.
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Brett W
post Apr 6 2004, 07:30 AM
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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.
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