Finally got my welder setup

[juddspaintballs]

My dad gave me his Hobart Handler 180 not that long ago. He bought another mig welder with a spool gun for welding aluminum since it was cost prohibitive to add it to the Handler 180.

Last week I went out and bought a 80 cf tank with argon mix in it for $220 and yesterday I bought a Harbor Freight auto darkening helmet for $42 and a welding cart for $30. I also got a tape measure for free :laughing: My garage already has 220v with the proper 50A plug for the welder so I'm good to go. I just need to get some metal for a couple projects I have in the near future and start going to town. I'm an OK mig welder after a few lessons from my dad (Navy welder before he went to BUDS) and a friend who fabricates for a living a while ago. Can't wait to let the sparks start flying again!

 

[AKweldshop]

Awesome!!
Get some pics of Her weld up, I'm looking at getting the 210mvp....
Those hobarts are some solid mig machines.
Have fun...
~John

 

[Big Barn]

Congratulations. I have one also. And I see your dad already upgraded the ground clamp. Have fun!

Terry

 

[juddspaintballs]

The ground clamp upgrade was my idea. Midway through welding a big pipe stand for his floor mounted vise, the stock ground clamp got so hot it melted the grips off. I ran down to TSC and bought the bigger ground clamp so I could continue.

 

[Arc weld]

I noticed the Tweco style ground clamp too. I think they're about the best out there.

 

[juddspaintballs]

With the raised ridge on the top of the clamp, it makes a very convenient place to cut off excess wire if it's too long out of the nozzle by simply putting pressure on the ridge with the wire where you want it cut and tapping the trigger to activate the current. It burns right through the wire and doesn't weld anything to the clamp.