Any welders here?

[N.O.V.]

That oughtta do it bro.

 

[DieYoungStrong]

I was a structual steel welder for 15 yrs, ironworker and Boilermaker. I would advise you DO NOT buy a welding machine from Harbor Freight, even if you are just getting into it. Look on Craigslist for a used one, Lincoln, Miller and even Hobart, all good quality machines. I take it you will be doing light gauge stuff out of your garage and stuff, so you should be able to find run that runs on 110 or 220, thats plenty enough to power the stuff you will be doing. Learn it and get good at it, the world will always need good welders. Plus if u get good enough, u can pick up side jobs and make some decent money, welding ornamental iron and residential work on your spare time. Have fun. Remember, welders do it hotter

You're an Ironworker?? So we have something in common besides McFlurry's? Let's be friends.

FWIW, I've used little Harbor Freight squirt guns installing 1 1/4" Sched 40 commercial railings in the past w/o issue. Not ideal, but I think it would be fine for a hobbiest just starting out. If you get a $1000 set-up, use it for a month and then it sits in your garage, it's not worth it.

 

[schultz1]

You're an Ironworker?? So we have something in common besides McFlurry's? Let's be friends.

FWIW, I've used little Harbor Freight squirt guns installing 1 1/4" Sched 40 commercial railings in the past w/o issue. Not ideal, but I think it would be fine for a hobbiest just starting out. If you get a $1000 set-up, use it for a month and then it sits in your garage, it's not worth it.

Raiden. Uses his spud wrench as a but plug

 

[shortz]

Thanks for all the replies. So I looked at the reviews of this little Lincoln handy mig and it appears as though it is surprisingly powerful for such a small unit. I think I am going to go with it. The thing I like about the Lincoln is that Lowes carries all the stuff for them, and if I decide to sell it, the unit won't depreciate much at all.

 

[Turbolag]

Mostly light work around the house and for a hobby. I might plan on doing some exhaust work as well, but from what I understand, I have to use a stick welder to do aluminum, don't I? I think I read flux line Mig welding won't work on light alloys

No, you can you a mig gun, but you need an aluminum nozzle. Its hard to weld aluminum, but just practice and you'll get it.

Lincoln or Miller are the top machines out there from what I've read.

When you go to buy one, make sure you look at "The Duty Cycle".

That tells you how much use the machine can hold up to.

You have two options for wire.

You can use Flux, or non fluxcore wire.

If you use non flux you need an Argon tank hooked up to the welder. This is the way to go because the welds are cleaner and it won't look as dirty.

If the wire has flux in it you don't need a tank but it smells bad and the welds need to be cleaned or brushed off after the weld is complete.

Once you get your machine, you just have to play around with the amount of amps and wire speed that you need.

Be careful not to turn it up too fast or you won't have time to lay the bead correctly.

If you put too many amps on too thin of metal you cut through it.

It just takes practice.

I love welding, its fun to make stuff from nothing.

 

[Gstacker]

Ya like turbo said flux wire sucks and I'm sure that's what you have being a 100.00 from hf so that's not really a mig welder... You can use co2 for cheap or a blend of co2 an argon but argon would be nicer just cost a lil more... I'd deft buy a miller and find a good welding shop in ur area at least go in an talk to the guys there and get a demo... Set up some 240v where you will be welding and buy a welder that runs on it....

 

[shortz]

The ones I am looking at have the capability to do flux or gas. Flux is a fall back if you have to weld outside or where gas will be blown. So I will keep both on hand.

It's my understanding that Lincoln and Miller both have similar qualities, but the Millers seem to have more bells and whistles, so to speak. For instance, some of them have the ability to use both 110 and 220v power.

I have been trying to gather as much info as possible over the last two days. Been reading, getting feedback from several places etc. I am slowly putting it together, but man, who knew there were so many options when it comes to buying a welder. I keep reading "Buy as big as your budget allows, or you will regret it". I don't want to go too small if i can afford a little more. Talked to my wife about it and she's not happy the price is going up, but I can go up a little without her disowning me.

 

[Gstacker]

Tell her don't worry it won't be as expensive as the plasma cutter

 

[Turbolag]

Tell her don't worry it won't be as expensive as the plasma cutter

I want one of those!

They have one at Harbor Freight I think for like $400?

 

[RAIDEN]

You're an Ironworker?? So we have something in common besides McFlurry's? Let's be friends.

.

yep, welded using different kind of wires and rods from 0.45 flux core to 3/32, 232 (nasty shit) xlh nickel, 7018, 6011, p5. Full pen, partial pen, fillet, sub arcs dual tandem and single. Structual steel is my pedigree though, and fabrication. Worked on alot of big projects from hospitals, high rises and alot of hotel/casinos in Vegas. Wish i would of learned TIG when i had the chance.

 

[ozzy69]

Bro I gave you my run down on this....buy the lincoln

 

[shortz]

Bro I gave you my run down on this....buy the lincoln

lol I know! This was before you gave me all that info! I just wanted to get as much info as possible, so I was posting on a couple sites. You gave me lots of good info. I am going with the Lincoln 140, just trying to figure out where to get it and get the best deal