New Welder-Suggestions/Perspective/Pointers/Tech Info

[bobkrack]

I am a millwright by trade (steam turbine and related ancilliary equipment including boiler supply systems) - I learned to weld as a child... My dad gave me all the old rod (had been wet and lots of it without flux remaining!) I took up welding professionally as a way to keep busy earning a living when millwright work was not available. As "swines" typed, a "weldOr" is a person that operates a "weldEr".

Back to the subject question - Oxygen-Acetylene welding is probably the most versatile since it can also be used to heat and to cut. Mig is probably the easiest to master - and I use the term "master" very very loosely! Tig is the very most precise of all.

Stick welding (my choice) probably has the ability to join the heaviest of metals more than any of the others. Key issues include a much steeper learning curve than most of the other. A good weldor as a mentor will shorten your learning curve by a factor of 10! Rod selection is extremely important for ease of use and strength of weld!

The Harbor Freight self darkening hood is probably the most cost effective hood that you can buy, although later you might want to look around a bit.

Procure good personal protection as far as gloves, sleeves and other protective clothing from a welding supply shop.

Mikita and Hilti make two of the very best small grinders I have ever used!

My advice on brand is that it don't make much difference as long as it is a quality machine and the big names are all quality machines. If you decide to go with a stick machine, remember that it will also most likely be useable as a backup or portable generator! Diesel would be my first choice and 240V auxiliary power (generator portion) would be my recommendation.
Edit:I mean engine driven welders. end of edit.
Hope this helps and hope I have not offended any Mig welders by these suggestions.

Bob

 

[jba3520]

I read this post with great interest since it sounded like the same scenario that I've been going through for the past few months. I too am a woodworker that wants to get into some metal fab work since buying a tractor.... I will preface my comments by saying that I did a lot of aluminum mig welding 20 years ago for a 2 to 3 year period. Since then I haven't done any welding but my experiences with aluminum mig welding led me to be very cautious in my selection of a welder.... Initially, my research led me to several welding supply houses where the plan was to buy either a Lincoln PowerMig 215 or Millermatic 210. After some serious looking I was very disappointed with both machines. Mainly from a "value" perspective. I decided I could not afford the machine I wanted which had the quality components I was looking for. The first dealer that I went to sold both brands of machines and opened up the units for me to look at the inner workings. For me, this was a mistake on their part because when I considered that with tank, gas, etc.. I was looking at spending around $1800 for either one, I was not impressed with what I would be getting. I went home frustrated that I was probably going to have to settle for a lesser machine. I was way beyond my budget at that number and I felt that the machines were not worth that much.
After some more research on the web and looking at the above mentioned welding forums, I stumbled across the htpweld.com web site. At first I was very skeptical because of the "name brand' issues already mentioned in this post. I did some further research on this company and its products and was impressed enough to give them a call. They emailed me their catalog with prices and I was even more impressed. I was still skeptical so I did more research and found several remarkable customer service stories about them and how they bend over backwards to get you what you want at a reasonable price.
It's to late to make a long story short here, but I purchased an HTP 2400 mig that is comparable to the Lincoln power mig 255 or Millermatic 250 that are one step above the other ones I was considering and the price was only $1299. More important than the price however was the "value" of this machine.
There was still some skepticism lingering until the unit arrived, since I had not actually seen one in person, but they offer a 90 day money back return policy so I figured I was covered. My skepticism quickly dissipated when I saw how this machine was built. I was very impressed with the overall build quality and have been extremely pleased with how it welds. Its very easy to 'dial in' on what ever you are welding and has lots of features only found on the more expensive units.

I hope to be posting my first project here shortly. Good luck on your decision

 

[jba3520]

I forgot to mention that I also got the Harbor Freight AD helmet with the adjustment knob on the outside (nice for adjusting with the helmet on and while welding). It works well and I especially like how it fits my head with glasses on and doesn't fog up. This was an issue for me on some others that I tried and finally sent me looking at HF. I was originally concerned about going the "cheap route" for protecting my eyes, but talked with my cousin who employs several welders in his shop. They have 3 AD helmets that were over $300 with lots of neat features, and 1 Harbor Freight helmet in the shop. He says the guys all fight over who gets to use the HF helmet. I don't know if this qualifies as an endorsement, but I figured I would spend $49 for now and continue looking until I found the one I really liked and then I would have a spare.

 

[flusher]

I am looking for good objective information with practical experience to back it up. I expect to be up and welding in the next few weeks pending equipment acquisition.

Your suggestions and input is certainly welcome.

Thanks in advance.

Duke

How much welding experiece do you have?

If it's little or none, I suggest you invest $50 in the welding DVDs available from Wall Mountain.

Instructional Welding Videos

I have the two for stick welding. Shows you precisely what a good weld puddle should look like while the bead is being laid down. Invaluable info for the novice.

They have DVDs for torch and MIG welding also.

 

[JamesH]

Some of the accessories I have found most useful for doing my little bit of welding are those magnetic triangles for holding things together while I tack parts together. Harbor Freight has them on sale quite often.
Also I almost only use the sandpaper flap wheels on my grinder. They do not bounce all over the place like a hard wheel does. If the weld does not look good, grind it off and try again.
The big vise grip welding pliers are also very handy. HF sells those for cheap also.
Regards,
James

 

[gemini5362]

I am kind of suprised that no one mentioned the MILLER DVI I kind of mentioned to the wife that I would not be upset If i found one of those under the christmas tree this year. For the light welding that the poster is going to start with he can use it in 115 volt mode and not have to run his 220 V line so soon. For the heavier welding he can hook it to 220 volts and use it for heavier material. To me the versatility of this machine makes it very handy to have for non professional welding useage.

 

[dknarnd]

I am kind of suprised that no one mentioned the MILLER DVI I kind of mentioned to the wife that I would not be upset If i found one of those under the christmas tree this year. For the light welding that the poster is going to start with he can use it in 115 volt mode and not have to run his 220 V line so soon. For the heavier welding he can hook it to 220 volts and use it for heavier material. To me the versatility of this machine makes it very handy to have for non professional welding useage.

I have been thinking about a welder and not sure which way to go, this welder seems like it would be excellent for general farm use. Pretty slick being able to run it on dual voltage and the price appears reasonable. I just wonder how that price and machine compares to a machine that only runs on 230 volt?

 

[gemini5362]

Actually there is a company that sells welders on ebay. You can go to ebay and type in millermatic on the search and that company will popup. The have a machine that is strictly 230 volts and close to the same amperage but a higher duty cycle. it is actually 400 to 500 dollars higher. It is actually a heavier duty machine. The only thing I have heard about the DVI is that it is not set up to run a spool gun like the heavier welder does. You have to get an adapter for the spool gun The heavier machine a spool gun just plugs in. Since I do not see me useing a spool gun for anything that would not be a problem for me. I do like the fact if i have to take the welder anywhere to weld anything light I dont have to worry about a 220 plug in for it.

 

[dknarnd]

Its been a long time since I have welded and that was all tig welding of primarily aluminum and stainless. So isn't the spool gun mostly used for aluminum?

 

[wushaw]

Its been a long time since I have welded and that was all tig welding of primarily aluminum and stainless. So isn't the spool gun mostly used for aluminum?

Yup