Have to buy a welder now

[dberry]

Seeing all the cool things folks here have made with scrap bits has hastened my need for a welder.

I'm torn between something like the miller econotig (stick/TIG) and an oxy/acet torch welder/cutter.

1/4 inch to 3/8 inch steel is probably the most I'll need to deal with. I've never found a need to weld aluminum, but the ability to do so would be a small plus.

What I'm thinking most useful is joining bits of scrap steel to make things like a solar water heater, connecting steel posts to I-beams, attachements for my tractor, welding a tool box for my trailer to hold the chains, cutting rebar, fixing things that get broken around the farm.

Stick,MIG,TIG seems to have the spotlight, but I'm wondering about the oxy/acet torch with sticks. Price is substantially lower for startup, and I have time to practice.

Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Dan

 

[BTDT]

Welcome. That's basically what I have, and the way I do it. Good luck on your search. Here's a pic of my old Lincoln.
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/.../74119d1176251187-welding-todays-pics-026.jpg

 

[EddieWalker]

Welding with gas is what I was first tought in shop class back in high school. It's pretty cool to see the metal pool up and then add some rod to create the weld.

For many decades, this is how all welding was done, but compared to just about any other type of welder, it's not very practical, or as simple. Gas welding really needs to have clean metal and flat surfaces. You need to know what your doing to get a good weld, and you need allot of time to learn this.

Arc welding is about the most forgiving when working on scrap steel, dirty metals and field conditions. It's very strong, fairly simple to learn and inexpensive.

Mig and Tig will give you prettier welds and are easier to learn the Arc, but most machines don't have as much power for the money as a Arc welder. This means that you have to spend allot more money for a welder that will do thick plate then an Arc welder.

I have an AC/DC Arc welder that I can run small rod in, or big rod. I can weld one inch steel to my dozer, or let my wife make candle holders with 1/8 inch stock. It's versatile with dozens of different rods to do different tasks.

I have a small, compact gas/accetaline tank for cutting steel and light welding. It will weld small tubing with allot of prep work and time, but mostly I have it for cuting metal and rarely use it.

Allot of guys here who have no experience with welding have had really good results from taking a welding class at the local Junior College. Being able to weld and work with metal is a lifelong skill. I learned in high school, but it's never too late. Before buying, you might want to look into taking a class.

If you take the class, you will probably end up buying the type of welder that you like the best after trying them all, instead of buying one and then struggleing to learn how to use it.

Eddie

 

[George2615]

I use a Miller Bobcat 250 NT for all of my stick welding. I only use the torch for cutting, brazing, or welding exhaust pipe. I have been stick welding for almost 40 years now. I tried a wire feed welder at work but need a lot more practice with that, I just can't get a good bead. I usually take something home that I've welded at work, grind it off then stick weld it. Most say it is easier than stick but I haven't got the knack for it yet.

 

[Soundguy]

I've used oxy-acet to cut.. but not weld. Seems a bit resource intensive.. and always seems like you run out of gas in the middle of a project.. or on a weekend. If you can swing a plasma cutter and an arc welder.. you'd be better off. Still if on a budget.. I'd just get the arc welder and a chop saw. While that really limits your 'cutting' ability.. in an emergency... a big stick welder can chamfer.....

I started with a small stick welder.. pretty much a toy.. 70A job.. but learned what i needed to know. I finally stepped up to a larger AC stick.. a hobart 235xl stickmate.. It paid for itself inthe first repair i used it for.... vs having to farm out the repair job.

Soundguy

Seeing all the cool things folks here have made with scrap bits has hastened my need for a welder.

I'm torn between something like the miller econotig (stick/TIG) and an oxy/acet torch welder/cutter.

1/4 inch to 3/8 inch steel is probably the most I'll need to deal with. I've never found a need to weld aluminum, but the ability to do so would be a small plus.

What I'm thinking most useful is joining bits of scrap steel to make things like a solar water heater, connecting steel posts to I-beams, attachements for my tractor, welding a tool box for my trailer to hold the chains, cutting rebar, fixing things that get broken around the farm.

Stick,MIG,TIG seems to have the spotlight, but I'm wondering about the oxy/acet torch with sticks. Price is substantially lower for startup, and I have time to practice.

Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Dan

 

[Lazy]

Hi
here is a link to a CD on welding offered on ebay. It might be just what some begining welders could use to get started. I have been welding since I was 16 now 63 and I just ordered one of the CD's. I'm sure I will learn something from the CD. eBay: 12 WELDING WELDER ALUMINUM TIG MIG SHOP MANUALS on CD (item 230131106521 end time May-23-07 18:25:55 PDT)

 

[Ifixcars]

The first shop equipment I bought for my shop was an air compressor, followed by a compact OA torch set. I use my torches fairly often for heating and cutting, but I don't weld with them. I braze sometimes, but that's about it. It's nice to know how to weld with OA, because the principles of welding are easy to understand when you can clearly see and control the process. I bought a mig next, and use it often. Very versatile, easy to use, and has served me well. I would do it the same way again.

 

[dberry]

Welding with gas is what I was first tought in shop class back in high school. It's pretty cool to see the metal pool up and then add some rod to create the weld.

I have an AC/DC Arc welder that I can run small rod in, or big rod. I can weld one inch steel to my dozer, or let my wife make candle holders with 1/8 inch stock. It's versatile with dozens of different rods to do different tasks.

Eddie

What kind of stick welder do you have?

Thanks everyone for the good info as well!

 

[EddieWalker]

I bought my welder form Napa on ebay. It was less then $200 brand new a few years ago with shipping. The helmet that came with it was junk, but the welder itself is great.

If you buy an arc welder, the main thing to get is an AC/DC one. The DC welds are allot smoother and easier to control. I'm not knowledgable to know why anybody would use AC over DC, but for what I do, DC is all that I use.

I doubt there's much difference in one brand or another as it's very old technology that's been around forever. Kind of like buying a hammer. It is what it is, and there's not allot of need for anything fancy. No moving parts, just put the rod in the handle, connect the ground and start melting metal together.

Eddie

 

[gunta]

Yeah,I'm still here,,just cunta now,,instead of thingy,[wiped cookies,etc],,welding what to get,,do you know how to weld?,,,its not like picking out drills or something,,,,,forget about oxy-act welding,seems you don't know the difference and there is a big difference,,,get the cheapest stick welder you can buy,,as long as it plugs into 220,,[don't waste your money on one of those 120 plug in things],,and get back to us in about 6 months,,,thingy