Looking for a Welder what should I be looking for?

mschuck · May 8, 2006

I'd like to get started in welding around my place, start small with some stuff for my tractor, tool holder, chain hooks, cup holder /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and maybe eventually try some bigger projects.

Problem is I've never welded before so I don't know what I should be looking for.
I've actually got all the stuff for oxy/acetylene (tanks were left in my shop by the previous owner and I got a reg/hose/torch from HF) but I've yet to actually try it.

Everybody I talk to tells me I should be looking at an arc welder for real welding so I've been watching CraigsList looking for a inexpensive wire feed welder to get me started but I don't know what I should be looking for. Seems to be many more stick welders, should I start with one of these to get me started?

Any suggestions or recommendations for getting me started?

CTyler · May 8, 2006

Anyone that tells you that only arc welders are for real welding is either kidding or ignorant. Arc welders are inexpensive but take a little more practice. You can get rods that will let you weld through a rusty surface among other things like hard surfacing etc... Thier not real friendly on light gauge material though. Not that it can't be done its just harder. You can't beat the price of an Arc welder though.

I went with a Mig myself but thier expensive and the surface has to be fairly clean. My Miller will do 1/2" in a single pass, more with multiple passes. Thats heavy enough for what I need. Thier easier to learn on, make a nicer looking weld and you don't have to chip slag.

If you go with a wire feed or Mig, I'd go with a 220v unit. The 110v units are ok up to 3/16 and maybe 1/4 with multiple passes. Thats assuming you get a good upper end 110v unit.

Most everyone is going to tell you to take a class. If you happen to know a good welder they can teach you but the classes are inexpensive.

Jagmandave · May 8, 2006

What he said..........
Plus, mig doesn't splatter like arc, so it cleans up real pretty with very little effort. I also think it's easier to learn to weld properly with a mig, just my 2c.

Also consider an auto-darkening hood.......Harbor Frieght as them for about $50.

Freds · May 8, 2006

There are LOTS of ways you can go, so I'm not even gonna get into them all, but what I did, just for the occassional welding I need to do and not having a shop or anything, was buy a combination AC stick welder and generator from TSC. It was relatively cheap, gets the job done and now I have a generator /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif. Not to mention there was no wiring to do for a welder so I wasn't tripping breakers /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Having a set of torches will allow you to heat up the area and get better penetration no matter which welder you decide on.

I'm not knocking welding classes, I took one once, but the instructor of my class said the classes were basically to give people the opportunity to practice. If you can get someone to show you the basics (including safety) and already have the welder the classes may not be necessary for the type of welding you want to do. Practice, practice.

Highbeam · May 8, 2006

I have an AC stick burning arc welder. In your post you say you want to look for arc but then talk about wirefeed which is technically an arc as opposed to welding with your gas torch which is non-arc. I started on the stick and am getting better at it after 30 some lbs of rod. I tried out a buddy's nice gas MIG welder and was amazed at how easy it was to make a pretty weld, just like a glue gun but he paid 2000$.

Whichever you choose, be sure to get a 220 volt unit since you want the extra power for thicker metal and duty cycle. Even the exhaust shops use 220 volt gas migs. Wirefeed welders can spatter too just not as bad as stick.

You don't need a class, you need practice. Name brands like Lincoln, Miller, Hobart in a 220 volt wirefeed or stick will be great.

mschuck · May 8, 2006

Thanks for the feed back, I guess my ignorance is showing, I kind of lumped all your basic welding into gas or electrical (i.e. arc with MIG and TIG being variations that use gases to prevent oxidation.) I thought that wire feed was pretty much like stick welding but easier but from what you guys are saying it sounds like it's a bit more complicated than that.

The local community college does offer some classes but they seem limited to oxy/acetylene and are not offered very often and are fairly expensive.

PBinWA · May 8, 2006

I just did the same thing. You can get some good videos now to get started. I liked the Wall Mountain Series, they cover all the basics in Arc, MIG, and Gas. You can buy them from Northern Tool or rent them from TechnicalVideoRental.com.

I like these two books (you can get them both on Amazon for $44):

Welding Essentials: Questions and Answers
ISBN: 0831131519

Welding Fabrication and Repair:
ISBN: 0831131551

I got an awesome deal on a Miller 175 MIG welder from Quimby in Portland. You have to buy through their ebay store to get the good deals but then you can pick it up yourself and don't have to do the shipping:
http://stores.ebay.com/Quimby-Welding-Supplies

Prior to the Miller I had a cheap Clarke 130 EN and it was actually very nice for a 110 Volt Unit. I just saw the deal on the Miller and had to have it.

Mig is probably the easiest thing to start with but Arc may be a little more versatile.

I'm in no way an expert welder. I just started last fall but I'm having fun with it. The experts seem to like Miller equipment a lot.

PB

bobodu · May 8, 2006

Just be advised that a pretty weld may not be as strong as an ugly weld.I can't afford a good MIG..nor would I do so just to make pretty welds.I get a lot of people mad at me for my stand,but for versatility,portability and easily obtainable rods...I stick by the stick.You also don't have to buy or rent a gas bottle and it'll never run out at 12:03 on a Saturday. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

PBinWA · May 8, 2006

Oh yeah, You can get more amps for your buck with an Arc welder but the welds may not be as pretty as the MIG. If you will primarily be welding big stuff (i.e. implements and trailers) then an Arc will be good enough and may get the job done faster.

I pretty much just do Flux Core through my MIG 'cause I'm lazy and I haven't done anything that delicate or structurally significant (yet).

If you want to come over some Sunday morning I can show you all I know and you can try my MIG. (It will take about 5 minutes)! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

BYOS (Bring Your Own Steel)

PB

wushaw · May 8, 2006

I want to caution you on this.... Welding can be addicting, it opens up a whole new world of "What can I build now".
Just go ahead a buy a 220v Mig machine that will weld up to 1/2" in a single pass...this way you won't have to upgrade when the addiction kicks in. Oh and you might as well just start looking at Plasma cutters also.

A mig is much easier to learn on than stick. You will enjoy the learning process much better with a mig and after getting decent with the mig then try a stick and you will see why.

Get the autodarkening helmet they are easier to work with.
Leather is your friend and a working fire extinguisher may save a life.