Posted: 1/11/2013 10:22:58 AM EDT
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Thinking about buying a wirewelder with my tax refund.
Post pictures of your projects Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
| Buy name brand commercial grade only, i.e. Millermatic 25x (whatever the current model is) or comparable. You will drive yourself nuts with insufficient power and wire feed issues if you buy cheap consumer stuff. No MIG project pics from me, I do pretty much all TIG with a Syncrowave 250 (fantastic machine). Lots of stuff framed up with square structural tube (1/2"-1" typically) for stands and enclosures around the shop, did Torklift clone camper mounts for my truck with 3/8" plate and 3/16" wall tube stock, etc. |
This is a continuation of this related thread in the HTF for those of you looking to add advice. 
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This is a continuation of this related thread in the HTF for those of you looking to add advice. Are you following me ? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Now *that* is a cool project! |
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This is a continuation of this related thread in the HTF for those of you looking to add advice. Are you following me ? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile It popped up in "Active". *shrug* Completely undetailed  photos of some of the stuff I make for Jeeps:
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How is that smoker working out? |
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Well I seasoned it, and it worked great while I was doing that. I posted it for sale the other day, and sold it for $1000.00. You would have to ask the new owner. |
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Quoted: Good deal!!!!Well I seasoned it, and it worked great while I was doing that. I posted it for sale the other day, and sold it for $1000.00. You would have to ask the new owner. |
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Dude, that railing is sweet! Tell us about it, what did you use? I am looking to do something like this, this summer. 
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Dude, that railing is sweet! Tell us about it, what did you use? I am looking to do something like this, this summer.
Thanks! That is 2" square tubing for the main rails, 1/2" tubing and 4" hog panel for the inserts. Haven't finished the floating corners yet. 
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Dude, that railing is sweet! Tell us about it, what did you use? I am looking to do something like this, this summer.
Thanks! That is 2" square tubing for the main rails, 1/2" tubing and 4" hog panel for the inserts. Haven't finished the floating corners yet. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p296/rlanicek/Deck%20092212/IMG_20120922_121043_zps70a387bd.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p296/rlanicek/Deck%20092212/IMG_20120922_121051_zps4098417c.jpg love the pink flamingos LOL Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Dude, that railing is sweet! Tell us about it, what did you use? I am looking to do something like this, this summer.
Thanks! That is 2" square tubing for the main rails, 1/2" tubing and 4" hog panel for the inserts. Haven't finished the floating corners yet. http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p296/rlanicek/Deck%20092212/IMG_20120922_121043_zps70a387bd.jpg http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p296/rlanicek/Deck%20092212/IMG_20120922_121051_zps4098417c.jpg love the pink flamingos LOL Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I removed the Santa hats they had for Christmas. As we speak they are in an advance-to-contact formation in my front yard. |
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/mr_joshua/DSCN8260.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/mr_joshua/KGrHqZHJCIE93OZcgj3BPe5ePz28w60_1.jpg I love that fab table how heavy is it? Is it on wheels? |
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http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/mr_joshua/DSCN8260.jpg http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v488/mr_joshua/KGrHqZHJCIE93OZcgj3BPe5ePz28w60_1.jpg I love that fab table how heavy is it? Is it on wheels? +1 on love for the fab table... on my list of "stuff I want to build" but dont really "need" 
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Some of my welding projects and I absolutely enjoy fabricating. I'm using a Millermatic 175 that is a few years old now.
I have a thing for painting most of my shop stuff gloss white. It just looks nice and cleans up with a little shop cleaner on a rag. Drag-able (skid feet) shooting bench, from scrap parts. 
Weld table and grinder stand. 
Torch Cart. 
Short material roller. 
Offset Rivet press from scraps. 
Fabricated up a 20 ton air/hydraulic press. It cost way more in steel than just picking one up from Harbor Freight on sale. Though it was a good learning experience, the lesson was to look first for improving off the shelf options before building from scratch. 
Freshly painted with temporary height adjustment bars. 
Dual parkerizing burner tank stand. 
Another side lined project that maybe someday I will get back to working on. 
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Window well cover, did three of these for my basement holes. Was able to keep total cost about 30% below retail for custom install. First welding project ever, learned alot! (Namely, flux-core is for emergencies only) http://i50.tinypic.com/11j3o9f.jpg Flux core has it's place. If you need to weld in the wind, and you only have a wire welder, well then flux core might just be the only way you get a good weld. No gas and need a weld, Flux core. It's dirty, but with a good welder you should get just as good a weld. |
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OK, I'm a complete welding noob, so what would be good for me to start with (although I don't want something that I will be tired of in a few months and have to purchase the next step up). Should I go MIG? Is there 120v welders or is anything that's worth it all 240v units. I am starting to do my homework now and hopefully can enroll in a local evening school class but would like the input of knowlegeable ARFComers. I really am hoping I can go 120v without shutting down the house every 15 seconds!
p.s.: your projects are incredible! |
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OK, I'm a complete welding noob, so what would be good for me to start with (although I don't want something that I will be tired of in a few months and have to purchase the next step up). Should I go MIG? Is there 120v welders or is anything that's worth it all 240v units. I am starting to do my homework now and hopefully can enroll in a local evening school class but would like the input of knowlegeable ARFComers. I really am hoping I can go 120v without shutting down the house every 15 seconds! p.s.: your projects are incredible! I would go with either the Miller 211, or the hobart 210. Both are MVP and run off of either voltage. You can do MIG, or Flug with them. Don't forget that with MIG you are gonna need a shielding gas so that means you are going to have to rent, or buy a cylinder. renting is between 40-60 $$ a year, and if you buy a used certified and tested cylinder about $125.00 for a 125 cubic Ft. Bottle. Good luck, and have fun. |
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Some of my welding projects and I absolutely enjoy fabricating. I'm using a Millermatic 175 that is a few years old now. I have a thing for painting most of my shop stuff gloss white. It just looks nice and cleans up with a little shop cleaner on a rag. Drag-able (skid feet) shooting bench, from scrap parts. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_8811.jpg http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_8810.jpg Weld table and grinder stand. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_7520.jpg Torch Cart. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_1222.jpg Short material roller. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_1161.jpg Offset Rivet press from scraps. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_0008.jpg Fabricated up a 20 ton air/hydraulic press. It cost way more in steel than just picking one up from Harbor Freight on sale. Though it was a good learning experience, the lesson was to look first for improving off the shelf options before building from scratch. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_1232.jpg Freshly painted with temporary height adjustment bars. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_1324.jpg Dual parkerizing burner tank stand. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/Park3.jpg http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/Park14.jpg http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/Park10.jpg Another side lined project that maybe someday I will get back to working on. http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/IMG_1096.jpg http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee73/tangotag_bucket/0207071948a.jpg Could you share the burner setup on your parkerizing stand? I am looking to build a similar setup. |
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OK, I'm a complete welding noob, so what would be good for me to start with (although I don't want something that I will be tired of in a few months and have to purchase the next step up). Should I go MIG? Is there 120v welders or is anything that's worth it all 240v units. I am starting to do my homework now and hopefully can enroll in a local evening school class but would like the input of knowlegeable ARFComers. I really am hoping I can go 120v without shutting down the house every 15 seconds! p.s.: your projects are incredible! Where to start is ideally a local tech school's evening adult ed welding class where you will get to try different processes with some instruction and get a better feel for 1. What process you like best, and 2. How that process runs with quality industrial grade machines. That last bit is important, particularly in the MIG/flux core space as a cheap consumer machine in addition to being vastly underpowered will usually have issues with it's wire feed system as well making at near impossible for anyone but an expert to get a decent weld with it. Considider a used but farily recent industrial machine to save some $ otherwise expect to pay at least $1,500 by the time you're geared up with a quality machine, gas cylinder and associated odds and ends. Forget 120V machines unless all you do is very light sheet metal. Personally I do 99% TIG welding for my projects using a Miller Syncrowave 250, which can also do stick for the odd time I need to weld outdoors where wind would blow away gas shielding. |
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OK, I'm a complete welding noob, so what would be good for me to start with (although I don't want something that I will be tired of in a few months and have to purchase the next step up). Should I go MIG? Is there 120v welders or is anything that's worth it all 240v units. I am starting to do my homework now and hopefully can enroll in a local evening school class but would like the input of knowlegeable ARFComers. I really am hoping I can go 120v without shutting down the house every 15 seconds! p.s.: your projects are incredible! Unless you buy the top of the line proffesional equipment you will always want better. LOL I have worked in welding shops using the best Miller tig welders and mig welders and still wanted better. |
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Could you share the burner setup on your parkerizing stand? I am looking to build a similar setup. Here is a link to a previous posting. I can repost a thread if it won't work. On a IPad right now and reposting a thread sucks with it.
http://beta.ar15.com/archive/topic.html?b=1&f=139&t=1109735 |
| Thanks for the replies. wp659, you have a good idea. Since I plan on taking a course maybe I should wait until I've practiced the various methods and see which fits me best and make my purchase from there. Another question...I just received my Harbor Freight ad e-mail and see they have a coupon for a 90 Amp Flux Wire welder, I wouldn't mind spending the $100 for something I can mess around with as long it actually works until I'm ready to make a serious purchase. Should I bother or is this a POS like most of HF's tools? |
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Thanks for the replies. wp659, you have a good idea. Since I plan on taking a course maybe I should wait until I've practiced the various methods and see which fits me best and make my purchase from there. Another question...I just received my Harbor Freight ad e-mail and see they have a coupon for a 90 Amp Flux Wire welder, I wouldn't mind spending the $100 for something I can mess around with as long it actually works until I'm ready to make a serious purchase. Should I bother or is this a POS like most of HF's tools? HF has some good bargain tools (the hydraulic wire crimpers and hydraulic punch set are some gems), but welders aren't really among them. 90A is very small so you won't be able to do more than light sheet metal, and again, beyond being underpowered, cheap MIG/FC machines will tend to have wire feed issues. Uneven wire feed speed will screw up your welds and each time things jam up and you have to stop and pull 10' of damaged wire out of the gun before you can weld again will be very frustrating. While MIG/FC is reported to be easy, a "hot glue gun' for metal, other processes may suit you better. I spent many years doing electronics soldering, so I found TIG pretty easy to learn. With TIG you have no sparks and smoke so you can get a very good view of your work, and you have a foot pedal for variable amperage control on the fly, something other processes do not have. |
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Thanks for the replies. wp659, you have a good idea. Since I plan on taking a course maybe I should wait until I've practiced the various methods and see which fits me best and make my purchase from there. Another question...I just received my Harbor Freight ad e-mail and see they have a coupon for a 90 Amp Flux Wire welder, I wouldn't mind spending the $100 for something I can mess around with as long it actually works until I'm ready to make a serious purchase. Should I bother or is this a POS like most of HF's tools? HF has some good bargain tools (the hydraulic wire crimpers and hydraulic punch set are some gems), but welders aren't really among them. 90A is very small so you won't be able to do more than light sheet metal, and again, beyond being underpowered, cheap MIG/FC machines will tend to have wire feed issues. Uneven wire feed speed will screw up your welds and each time things jam up and you have to stop and pull 10' of damaged wire out of the gun before you can weld again will be very frustrating. While MIG/FC is reported to be easy, a "hot glue gun' for metal, other processes may suit you better. I spent many years doing electronics soldering, so I found TIG pretty easy to learn. With TIG you have no sparks and smoke so you can get a very good view of your work, and you have a foot pedal for variable amperage control on the fly, something other processes do not have. I do have to disagree with you, I have a harbor freight wire feed welder here at home and it works really good for most of the things I build at home. weld nuts to rebar and pound them in frozen ground all winter and have never had one break. It might be because I have welded for many year, I know how its penetrating and what amount of heat it needs before the puddle gets to big, but I would say for an entry level machine the HF is not that bad. Plus you can bring it back anytime within the first year and get a new one. No questions asked. I have seen to many people but a $500+ welder and not get into it. Buy cheap, if you like it enough to upgrade then buy better. Hell if it last a year its worth the $90 |
| Some good food for thought. I think I have to agree that I can't really go wrong for under 100 bucks and you're right, if I have that much trouble with it in the first year I'll just take it back. I think I can use it to develop a feel for that type of welding and as I get further into the classes I can invest in one I really like. As always...thanks for the great advice, Lou. |
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Some good food for thought. I think I have to agree that I can't really go wrong for under 100 bucks and you're right, if I have that much trouble with it in the first year I'll just take it back. I think I can use it to develop a feel for that type of welding and as I get further into the classes I can invest in one I really like. As always...thanks for the great advice, Lou. Just to add, if you can lay a good weld with fluxcore you will be able to do really good with mig. |
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Thanks for the replies. wp659, you have a good idea. Since I plan on taking a course maybe I should wait until I've practiced the various methods and see which fits me best and make my purchase from there. Another question...I just received my Harbor Freight ad e-mail and see they have a coupon for a 90 Amp Flux Wire welder, I wouldn't mind spending the $100 for something I can mess around with as long it actually works until I'm ready to make a serious purchase. Should I bother or is this a POS like most of HF's tools? HF has some good bargain tools (the hydraulic wire crimpers and hydraulic punch set are some gems), but welders aren't really among them. 90A is very small so you won't be able to do more than light sheet metal, and again, beyond being underpowered, cheap MIG/FC machines will tend to have wire feed issues. Uneven wire feed speed will screw up your welds and each time things jam up and you have to stop and pull 10' of damaged wire out of the gun before you can weld again will be very frustrating. While MIG/FC is reported to be easy, a "hot glue gun' for metal, other processes may suit you better. I spent many years doing electronics soldering, so I found TIG pretty easy to learn. With TIG you have no sparks and smoke so you can get a very good view of your work, and you have a foot pedal for variable amperage control on the fly, something other processes do not have. I do have to disagree with you, I have a harbor freight wire feed welder here at home and it works really good for most of the things I build at home. weld nuts to rebar and pound them in frozen ground all winter and have never had one break. It might be because I have welded for many year, I know how its penetrating and what amount of heat it needs before the puddle gets to big, but I would say for an entry level machine the HF is not that bad. Plus you can bring it back anytime within the first year and get a new one. No questions asked. I have seen to many people but a $500+ welder and not get into it. Buy cheap, if you like it enough to upgrade then buy better. Hell if it last a year its worth the $90 That's the thing, you are experienced so you are able to compensate for a machines shortcomings without it distracting too much. For a beginner who is trying to maintain standoff distance, follow the joint and also trying to get the voltage and feed settings correct they will likely be overwhelmed and have a much more difficult time learning than if they are using a solid industrial machine. Also highly recommended for anyone not welding daily: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tools/#calculators |
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Thanks for the replies. wp659, you have a good idea. Since I plan on taking a course maybe I should wait until I've practiced the various methods and see which fits me best and make my purchase from there. Another question...I just received my Harbor Freight ad e-mail and see they have a coupon for a 90 Amp Flux Wire welder, I wouldn't mind spending the $100 for something I can mess around with as long it actually works until I'm ready to make a serious purchase. Should I bother or is this a POS like most of HF's tools? HF has some good bargain tools (the hydraulic wire crimpers and hydraulic punch set are some gems), but welders aren't really among them. 90A is very small so you won't be able to do more than light sheet metal, and again, beyond being underpowered, cheap MIG/FC machines will tend to have wire feed issues. Uneven wire feed speed will screw up your welds and each time things jam up and you have to stop and pull 10' of damaged wire out of the gun before you can weld again will be very frustrating. While MIG/FC is reported to be easy, a "hot glue gun' for metal, other processes may suit you better. I spent many years doing electronics soldering, so I found TIG pretty easy to learn. With TIG you have no sparks and smoke so you can get a very good view of your work, and you have a foot pedal for variable amperage control on the fly, something other processes do not have. I do have to disagree with you, I have a harbor freight wire feed welder here at home and it works really good for most of the things I build at home. weld nuts to rebar and pound them in frozen ground all winter and have never had one break. It might be because I have welded for many year, I know how its penetrating and what amount of heat it needs before the puddle gets to big, but I would say for an entry level machine the HF is not that bad. Plus you can bring it back anytime within the first year and get a new one. No questions asked. I have seen to many people but a $500+ welder and not get into it. Buy cheap, if you like it enough to upgrade then buy better. Hell if it last a year its worth the $90 That's the thing, you are experienced so you are able to compensate for a machines shortcomings without it distracting too much. For a beginner who is trying to maintain standoff distance, follow the joint and also trying to get the voltage and feed settings correct they will likely be overwhelmed and have a much more difficult time learning than if they are using a solid industrial machine. Also highly recommended for anyone not welding daily: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/tools/#calculators I agree to a point, but I taught myself how to weld with a cheap fluxcore welder. |
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My $200 Harbor Freight 170amp is actually a pretty capable 220v unit. I just finished building a hydraulic punch press for my business out of 1.5" .120 wall square tube I picked up at a scrap yard and two pieces of 1/4" plate I purchased at a local steel supplier. Using a CO2 bottle I already had shielding for gas, on it's highest heat setting and a wire speed of about 5 out of 10, I had no trouble getting penetration on all my welds, even when welding the 1/4" plate to the frame. In the case of the frame, I used setting 3 of 4 for the heat/voltage and 4 on wire speed for the .120 wall to prevent burn through. I'm very pleased with the results, and I can happily replace the laminated Home Depot Mod1Mk0, which was creaking with use over more than 2 years of service.
Some pics: New Press 
Harbor Freight 170, 220v 
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| with tig your heat affected zone is bigger and i know with older units high frequency start up's can damage some electronics. Tig has it place, for alum i love tig welding at work i use big ass arc welders at home my little lincoln 110 does just about all i can need |
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with tig your heat affected zone is bigger and i know with older units high frequency start up's can damage some electronics. Tig has it place, for alum i love tig welding at work i use big ass arc welders at home my little lincoln 110 does just about all i can need I've never known TIG to have a larger HAZ than other processes, particularly since TIG has on the fly current control while other processes are set and hope you got it right. I've never had any issues with the PC based CNC controls, shop PC, DROs, etc. in my shop with the HF arc starting on my Syncrowave. |