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> What Welder to buy, I show my ignorance inside!
thomasotten
post Jan 13 2004, 09:38 PM
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Ok, I have been doing just fine with a Campbell Hausfeld wire feed mig welder that I got for $280 (shipped) new on ebay. So far I have installed a suspension console, and did some inner longitudinal strengthening with it. It works great. It has done everything I wanted so far.

When you get into this stuff, you will find yourslelf blowing some serious coin just on supplies like grinding discs, cutting wheels, gas refills. So I just wanted to put this out there so that you know there is a less expensive, alternative to the $400+ welders.

-Thomas
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eldiosyeldiablo
post Jan 13 2004, 09:40 PM
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WARNING: Extreme novice question.... my welding books should arrive in the mail tomorrow...

QUOTE
Input: 230V, 60 Hz, single phase, draws 30 amps @ 230V


My house sockets are 110V right? The only thing that is ~200 is my Dryer. So do you have to have your garage wired to weld?

-David .... hoping that no house wiring is required.
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Gint
post Jan 13 2004, 11:03 PM
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I bought a Miller 175 so I wouldn't have to do it over again when I got good at welding and wanted more.

But... The Hobart 135 is a good litlle welder. If you're going near the $400 range anyway, this is the one you want.
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rick 918-S
post Jan 13 2004, 11:54 PM
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Dont forget about Century. I have a 25 yr old Snap On Mig made by Century. Its a left over from the body shop. This thing has been used and abused by every bozo I ever hired. I had guys intensionally try to wreck it so they didnt have to work. (funny how hard someone will work not to have to work... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/lol2.gif) Bunch of dorks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/happy11.gif) ) I plug it in and pull the trigger. No worries.
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Malmz
post Jan 14 2004, 12:00 AM
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There are both 110 and 220 welders out there. The 220s just do more and are less of a strain on your electric system, and tend to have more power for thicker materials.

You can use the drier plug if convenient. You may have to change the plug on the end of the drier to match.

I personally dropped a 60amp sub-panel with a 30AMP 220 circut in the garage when I did my remodel... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

I have a VERY thick 20 foot 220 extension cable to get the welder out into the driveway for things that won't fit in the garage.

sm
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post Jan 14 2004, 01:05 AM
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QUOTE
The 220s just do more and are less of a strain on your electric system


Serious! You don't know how many times I have welded at night in my garage and blown out the breaker. All 6 of my flourecents (sp?) turn off at once and it's pitch black except for the glowing weld.

I like my welder, and probably will never weld with out the shielding gas. One day, when I need to, I will move up to something larger (175amp, 220V).

Terrance
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ChrisFoley
post Jan 14 2004, 02:01 AM
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Lincoln SP125 is about the best 110V machine available, IMO. Make sure it is on a dedicated 20A circuit. Any other draw from the same breaker will cause a power drop and may trip the breaker. Long extension cords will also cause a power drop.
Use .023"-.025" wire and Argon/CO2 shielding gas. You will be able to weld just about anything 914 related, with a little practice.
While you're at it invest in an autodarkening helmet. You won't regret it!
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redshift
post Jan 14 2004, 08:05 AM
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QUOTE(eldiosyeldiablo @ Jan 13 2004, 10:40 PM)
WARNING: Extreme novice question.... my welding books should arrive in the mail tomorrow...

-David .... hoping that no house wiring is required.

It's in the book, chapter one, page one, "Yes, 220 requires wiring.".


M
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eldiosyeldiablo
post Jan 14 2004, 08:10 AM
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QUOTE
It's in the book, chapter one, page one, "Yes, 220 requires wiring."


Doh!!!
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redshift
post Jan 14 2004, 08:13 AM
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not being a complete smartass... but if you look in your breaker box, there are 2 outside 'legs' and a ground bar, 110 gets one of those legs, and 220 is both of them.

You need another breaker, rated at high amps (30-40) and an outlet wired for the plug.


M
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Gint
post Jan 14 2004, 08:17 AM
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QUOTE
I personally dropped a 60amp sub-panel with a 30AMP 220 circut in the garage when I did my remodel...


My garage sub panel is 100 amp. I can wire for just about anything in my garage. My compressor is 220, the welder is 220, the oven (for powder coating) is 220...

Yes, you will have do some wiring if you buy a 220 welder.
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fraggle00
post Jan 14 2004, 10:06 PM
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I'm lucky...

Previous owner of my house had a kiln in the garage for pottery projects, so I'm set with the 220V source.

The Harbor Frieght sourced model that was mentioned earlier in this thread was the one I was looking at to buy. I've got a couple friends who want to learn as well so we may all go in on it.
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ppickerell
post Jan 14 2004, 10:16 PM
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Not an expert, but Harbor Freight not known for quality of tools (please, no offense to anyone that uses them) stick with Lincoln or miller. Here is a great ebay deal ($300)on a Lincoln that sells for $427
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...&category=45032
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cha914
post Jan 15 2004, 01:20 PM
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If you can't afford a new one, try and find a used Lincoln or Miller...I would also suggest going to a local welding supplier and buying one, sometimes they have display units for sale, and they can hook you up with the gas that you will need anyway. Another advantage is that they will be able to repair the machine if/when it breaks, I know for a fact that HF isn't going to do that.

Not to mention the fact that the lincoln/miller machines weld about 100x better than those other cheapy ones...as with all tools, buy the best you can afford.

Good luck,

Tony
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bongo monkey
post Jan 15 2004, 04:08 PM
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I use my Miller 350LX TIG welder whenever possible. It can weld thin sheet metal with ease, and it just produces better welds than anything MIG or arc can do. However, it is extremely difficult to learn and quite expensive, at around $4000 (more than my 914).
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RustyWa
post Jan 18 2004, 04:11 PM
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This looks like it could be a pretty good deal for someone looking for a "hobby" type of welder.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewI...item=2589439964

Whoops.. looks like someone did the Buy it Now on that auction. The guys has plenty others up for auction though...
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Hawktel
post Jan 18 2004, 04:21 PM
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I think that is what I'll get, the ones Rustywa listed. I'll just rent a bottle locally, and be good to go.
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seanery
post Jan 18 2004, 04:28 PM
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As long as 85 amps is enough. What's the duty cycle?

I think you get what you pay for. I know I sound negative, but I'd hate to buy one and have it be a paperweight.
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trojanhorsepower
post Jan 18 2004, 04:32 PM
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Hawktel
I would recommend that you buy your bottle locally instead of rent. If you add up the long term costs you will probably be better off. If you plan on going through lots of gas then rent one, but as a hobbyist, where the welder will go long periods with no use; I think you will find that just buying it outright will be much more cost effective. Refills are cheep.

Just my .02

-Pete
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airsix
post Jan 19 2004, 12:54 PM
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I'm with Gint. The Hobart "Handler 135" totally rocks for home use. I got this model because it was the highest rated 115v mig (25% duty cycle @ 135 amps). I wanted the 115v so I could use it anywhere. It is plenty powerful. Last night was welding 5/8" plate with it and had to turn down the heat because it was undercutting. It does just fine. When it comes to tools at my place it's "King of the garage". Another thing I like is that it came ready for gas. Just hook up the bottle and go. Nothing else to buy (except wire).

Call around to the local shops. I got mine in January two years ago - they were blowing them out as an after-Christmas sale. Got a great deal and it's paid for it's self dozens of times.

-Ben

ps - The famous bumblebee that Rusty and Pam resurected... they did all the sheetmetal work with a Hobart Handler 110v MIG.
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