OP
Tractor Seabee
Elite Member
- Joined
- Oct 5, 2011
- Messages
- 3,896
- Tractor
- Kubota BX25
Ron, from what you've said that sounds like a good choice for you; in spite of the fact that I've never welded professionally, it sounds like we've had some similar experiences - I started with O/A in the early '70's, then started with SMAW on a friend's SA200 - also tried another friends AC buzz box, wasn't too impressed after the smooth DC of the SA200. Couple years later got a good deal on a 250 amp AC/DC Solar welder (still got it) but I never could get it to run quite like the old SA.
Made do with those welding stuff for different tractors/implements/vehicles til about 2009, then bought my first MIG; a Miller MM211 (transformer version) - got spoiled by MIG, but wanted more (bigger projects, etc) so sold the MM211 to a friend when I found a MM252 with all the extras, for a bit under HALF of new (deal included a $1000 spool gun that was NIB) - still got that one, added an Everlast DC stick/TIG inverter machine - the TIG side of that goes down to 3 amps and up to 200, with programmable EVERYTHING (doubt there'll ever be much aluminum in MY future either, so didn't wanna pay twice as much for AC TIG) -
Bunch of forced OT before I retired (rare metals plants, instrumentation/control tech) so part of the OT added a HyperTherm PM45 plasma cutter, then ANOTHER MIG (mm211, the newer inverter version - much lighter than the old 211, dual voltage), then a milling machine, mag drill, etc - bottom line is I can pretty much fix anything that's broken or build something I need that's either too expensive to buy, or hasn't been invented yet
At this stage of life I'm pretty sure they're gonna "pat me in the face with a shovel" LONG before I ever get BORED; in my book, that means I WIN :thumbsup:
Oh, BTW - when I first used that Everlast Tig/Stick, I realized I had gotten the new version of the old SA200 (MINUS several hundred pounds), and THEN some - I'm pretty sure you won't be disappointed when you get your Everlast... Steve
Steve, my major welding experience was as a Union Steamfitter. Worked as a fitter normally but my welding skills kept me on the jobs as the welder work slowed down and they (welder only) were laid off they still had a welder available. Was also a refrigeration fitter and an instrument fitter. Stayed mostly on Industrial and large commercial projects as much as I could. Service tech on residential/light commercial was not my forte. I was never out of work more than 2 weeks.
Like you I can fix or build most anything out of steel or stainless steel. Next small procurement is a mag drill, there are some low cost ones on Amazon that have decent ratings. Used are almost impossible to find.
Ron
