I "need" a welder..?

[Sully2]

I \"need\" a welder..?

Here's what I know about electric welders... They use electricity... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Ive tried stick welders and can stick a rod with the best of them...and thats it...lol. What Im contemplating is a low cost...115VAC...wire fed MIG outfit..??

Jobs would be as complex... /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif...as welding on items such as my bucket hooks...welding up my .50 caliber ammo box "tool box" setup..and if I should..??..punch a hole thru my FEL...to weld up any minor damage.

MAX material thickness would be in the range of 1/4 inch thick...and Im told with the smaller MIG outfits..that if I grind the correct weld prep on that thick of material...and using multiple passes..it shouldnt be any problem..?? ( True or not?)

Also...most probably...would be using flux cored wire...instead of ALWAYS using the gas..but definately want the gas "addition".

I want the weld jobs to "look good"..of course..but they need to do their job. Dont need or want some $3000 welder...dont want or need something to do 1/2 "boiler plate" either.

Is it all a pipe dream..or will one of these welders do what I need...which isnt much at all really..

 

[GabeTX]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

Do you have your heart set on an arc welding process? Have you ruled out gas?

I just bought a welder to make some gates and other assorted projects, and after quite a bit of research I went with an oxy-acetylene welding and cutting outfit (Victor's middle-of-the-road outfit plus a few additional tips) and leased full-size bottles ($40/year/bottle).

With what I have, I can weld from 15ga to 1/4"; I could go thinner by buying a smaller tip and thicker by buying a bigger tip and exchanging up to a bigger acetylene bottle. I can also cut up to a half inch (could go much thicker if I bought a bigger cutting tip).

All for about the same cost as a light-duty flux-core MIG setup.

Oxy-acetylene may not be used much commercially anymore except in some niche applications, but for someone who isn't going to be welding for a living and can tolerate the slower speed it can still be a great choice.

 

[SkyPup]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

Probably would be better just to hire a professional welder to do those simple welding projects for you....

 

[Sully2]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Probably would be better just to hire a professional welder to do those simple welding projects for you.... )</font>

Did that already...and had to wait a week to get 2 bucket hooks welded on..hence...the "need" for something here at home. Any "structural" job..Id of course "farm out"

 

[RobJ]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

The cheap 115v mig will not do what you want. You will quickly want to get heavier and these things just don't get the penitration needed for "farm welds". I suggest a Lincoln stick and just learn how to use it. They are still pretty cheap and will weld light and heavy. If you are sticking there are things to help with that. Correct amps, rods, clean surface, etc. And a stick is almost bullet proof. No wire, gas (if used), clogged tip, etc.

Good Luck,
Rob.

 

[_RaT_]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

Ditto...

 

[HomeBrew2]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

My neighbor bought a Lincoln Weldpak 3200 at Home Despot a year ago and he swears by it. Hasn't used his stick welder since. I can't see the puddle or the joint with it so I'm still using my buzz box till I can fix that prob.

Cheers!

 

[Inspector507]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

Been there, done that and redid it correctly with something more than a 110V MIG

 

[sandman2234]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

My vote is for the Lincoln buzz box also. Get a pound of 6011 rods (1/8 and 1/16) and start playing with it. You won't hurt it, and if you have any sense, yourself either. Some instruction from a friend, or an evening class would be great also.
They aren't expensive, and if you want to splurge, get the AC/DC one with the + and - on it.
Finding one used is also an option.
Keep you rods in a dry location.
David from jax

 

[wushaw]

Re: I \"need\" a welder..?

I concurr with the buzz box advice with practice and an autodarkening hood.
The AD hood will help you alot when striking an arc...you can see without flipping the hood/visor down and taking your eyes off your work.