Welders: If you had to choose one...? Options

[Danny_Ocean]

I have yet to learn to weld. I would like to purchase (and learn on) a welder that will be most useful to the average "car guy"...welding sheetmetal, repairing broken mounts, adding brackets to rollbars/frames, etc. Nothing exotic, just basic repairs for the average mechanic. My shop has 220v if that matters. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)

[stephenaki]

OK, I have been reading the thread and it is a great venue on this subject. I have had this discussion with my Master Mechanic buddy back in Tennessee before I got stationed here in Deutschland.

Here is my question on the subject to add a twist, Germany runs 220 and higher, I can get a 220 welder with a good range for working on different thicknesses however, the electrical input is your standard European style.

Does anyone know if the end can be chopped and an American 220 male end installed on a European MIG welder? I am eyeing one up but don't want to buy one unless I am sure it can be re-fitted with an American male adapter.

Thoughts on this? Trying to give the wife Christmas present ideas.

[type47]

Here is my question on the subject to add a twist, Germany runs 220 and higher, I can get a 220 welder with a good range for working on different thicknesses however, the electrical input is your standard European style.

Does anyone know if the end can be chopped and an American 220 male end installed on a European MIG welder? I am eyeing one up but don't want to buy one unless I am sure it can be re-fitted with an American male adapter.

i don't think you can or should do this but the only thing that is different that i know of is that you already know that european voltages are 220V but the frequency of european voltages is 50 Hz (i think). although i don't think this would matter with a welder, maybe effect a TV. there may be some circuitry in the welder that only works properly on 60 Hz (USA frequency)

[stephenaki]

i don't think you can or should do this but the only thing that is different that i know of is that you already know that european voltages are 220V but the frequency of european voltages is 50 Hz (i think). although i don't think this would matter with a welder, maybe effect a TV. there may be some circuitry in the welder that only works properly on 60 Hz (USA frequency)

oops, I forgot about that side of the equation, guess I will just wait till I get back to the states to get one unless I can find a dual voltage version. Not sure if the local auto craft shop here on post has a TIG set up but if it does, I am going to see if I can take lessons and do some practicing. I can stick weld and MIG weld but have never messed with a TIG. I was told that if you can stick weld you can TIG weld...somehow I think it is a bit more complicated than that.

[Richard Casto]

i don't think you can or should do this but the only thing that is different that i know of is that you already know that european voltages are 220V but the frequency of european voltages is 50 Hz (i think). although i don't think this would matter with a welder, maybe effect a TV. there may be some circuitry in the welder that only works properly on 60 Hz (USA frequency)

oops, I forgot about that side of the equation, guess I will just wait till I get back to the states to get one unless I can find a dual voltage version. Not sure if the local auto craft shop here on post has a TIG set up but if it does, I am going to see if I can take lessons and do some practicing. I can stick weld and MIG weld but have never messed with a TIG. I was told that if you can stick weld you can TIG weld...somehow I think it is a bit more complicated than that.

I have only spent a few hours TIG welding and actually hate stick welding. With TIG you have to worry about more stuff at the same time. With MIG you have your wirespeed set and it comes out of the nozzle in one place so you tend to not worry about that once set. But with TIG you will have one hand moving the wire (speed and location) and the other hand controlling the pool. So there is more multitasking with TIG than MIG. But with the extra control you get with TIG I found the "fun" level to go up a notch or two.