Welder

[DannyD]

OK from what I have gathered MIG is the way to go for me. TSC has their farmhand 125 with cart and access kit, including helmet for 329.00 and that includes the gauges and valves if I want to do gas.

I doubt ever building anything that has to hold a couple or three tons, but will use it for simple things like railing on a porch, hooks on a bucket, hold downs on my trailer, boxes for my tie downs on the trailer, simple little projects, maybe even a shepherds hook or 2 for the wonderful wife.

What do you pros think?

I need portability, and 110 volt

 

[Gary_in_Indiana]

First, I AM NOT a pro. As an amateur, however, I can give you some peer advice. Get hold of your area adult education center or continuing education center and see about taking a couple welding classes there. I think that's especially important if you're going to MIG weld.

Take the ARC welding class first, then the MIG welding class. The ARC welding class will truly teach you how to weld and why you need to do what you need to do and it's great preparation for the MIG class. Where I took mine, I had to take the ARC class first. I didn't understand why until the first day of the MIG welding class.

Then I saw what a pretty weld you could lay down with a MIG machine and how weak it could be if you didn't do it right, I understood. The ARC class taught me how to weld. The MIG class taught me how to do it a bit more easily for my purposes.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do. I hope this helps. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Inspector507]

Gary,
My classes are a bit more condensed than yours were, from what I see. They are mixing Arc and MIG all in the same 5 week course. I'm having a ball right now /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I had no idea what "work angle, drag angle and travel speed" was, but NOW I do.
I must say I can control a MIG better right now than ARC. I have used flux-core here at home and have been extremely disappointed.
So I would say if he wants to go with wire feed, make sure you can add gas to it.

 

[Henro]

Danny,

I don't have a MIG, but if I were to get one I would pay careful attention to the wire feed mechanism. Very important that the wire feeds smoothly and does not hang up.

It might be worth spending a little more for a Miller or Lincoln, or other "Name" brand, in hopes that the physical machine would be better made. Nothing is worse than getting into something and having the equipment you use be inferior. Not that what you are considering is in any way inferior...I have not looked at MIG welders so I simply don't know.

Needing 110 volt capability is a limitation as far as what equipment is out there I think. Do you have a budget? Stupid question I know... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

Gary's advice about taking a continuing education class is good. I followed in his foot steps and did that before I bought my welder. I ended up with a Stick/Tig combo and love it, but it cost a lot more than what you are looking at.

Using gas when welding is great as it lets you see much better what is going on and I think makes it possible to make better welds as a novice. Taking a class helps you understand what a good weld is all about.

One thing about the MIG is that it is faster than stick or tig, from what I can see. I think you will enjoy having a MIG, as long as what you get does what it is supposed to, reliably.

Take the time necessary to get the best machine for your needs and you will thank yourself later. I guess what I am trying to say is shop for quality, not by price...

 

[DannyD]

Thanks all,

As for classes, I have looked around at the local level, and found that most of the adult education programs must not think someone would actually want to weld. I did find one school, at 2 g per class.......not a chance of that.

I have a friend that was certified and could weld with his eyes closed, he taught my dad and he can teach me. I have all the grinders, cleaners, etc. I used to do a little, but that was many moons ago with a little stick welder.

As for the machine. I talked with the "expert" at TSC, he actually owns a welder, he went over the differences with me, ask me what my project plans were etc. Suggested either stick or MIG. When I got to the salesperson, she mentioned the same one that the former gentleman did, and it was from EXPERIENCE. Seems this is what she has, and when she lets her hubby use it, he does implement repairs, heavier than what I plan on. Price is important as this is not a daily task thingy, it is for the occasional tack, or project that I can do myself.

If I can find a school that is not as expensive, I would do that, but not sure right now, as most adult seem to be non existant right now.

 

[TonyC]

If you have no experience and wish to do the occasional odd job as you mentioned then MIG is definitely for you. Depending on your budget you should consider the new Hobart 140. TSC sells it as well. It costs more but it is infinitely better made. Henro was correct about the wire feed. It is a critical component. If you open the side door of the Farmhand and the Hobart you won't be able to believe the difference. No contest. The Hobarts wire feed looks like a hi-tech tank and the Farmhand's looks like a an old beat up Chevy. Again, you buy what you can afford but I would heavily consider the Hobart. I have the 135 which is a very similar model. If you can find one of those you might snag a deal as they are the "outgoing" model.

As far as classes go I would always recommend them but if they are not available I would recommend these books:

The Haynes Techbook Welding Manual by Jay Storer and John Haynes. TSC should have this one.

Also, the Welder's Handbook by Richard Finch.

These books are very different form each other. If you read them both cover to cover, maybe even twice, you'll be surprised at how well you can weld with a MIG. They are easy to learn but it takes a lot of practice to get really good at them. In these books, read all the sections including gas welding, stick and TIG welding. Reading on all of them will help you out. If you have any questions, holler. Good Luck!

 

[lynxpilot]

Try HOBARTS BBS or LIVE STEAM website. Both offer lots of info from experienced welders. They'll also point you in a good direction on type to buy. Just register like here and your off.

Good luck. It's a lot of fun. I'd get a 220 though (had to say it, sorry). Less chance of outgrowing it.

 

[Taylortractornut]

yeah the Farm hand has a nice trick it can do there is a punched hole beside the wirefeed mechanism and the wire will bind up in the liner on the hose when it does the feed will crimp the wire and put it into this hole. when you look at it you see the spool moving and the wire loooks to bee in the liner ube then you see the smoke and the wire gets hot. I had 2 new farmhands from TSC they eventually gave me my money back on them. another good point with them is they dont/didnt have harden wire rollers they wear out quickly

 

[DannyD]

Signed up on Hobarts, it is a good place to learn for sure.

thanks

 

[TonyC]

It's a great forum, Danny. It's the only other forum I belong to that has people as nice as TBN does. Use the search function and read to your hearts content! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif