Welding Suggestions

[ToddW]

i only suggested the 120v route on the basis that it might not be used a lot, and it is the easiest/cheapest way out. if you're going to go with a 240v machine, and aren't afraid to spend a few $, then check out the hobart 210. tsc is $640 for the 187 and $830 for the 210, but right now northern is selling the 210 for $899 with free shipping and throwing in the direct attach spool gun for free.

if you ever think you might end up working on aluminum, you're getting a $200 spool gun tossed in, so in effect, you're only paying about $699 for the 210, which makes it very little of a price increase over the 187 at tsc.

just some food for thought.

I'll look at the 210 as well, but I don't shop at Northern any more. I had a pressure washer from them go bad under warranty, took it back 4 times (about 75 miles round trip) and they never fixed it.

 

[mmurphy]

I have the Hobart 210 and love it. I also weld same type of stuff with gavanized metal and have no problem. Turn down the heat make sure you can not breathe in fumes and you will be fine. One more thing to consider is a helmet that has adjustable shade of lense, if you can not see what you are welding on that thin stuff you will constantly burn holes through it. Good luck, and if I can do it so can you.

 

[kevindsingleton]

While you're at the welding supply store picking up some wire, go ahead and get a couple cans of spray on "anti-spatter". It makes flux-core and stick welding almost as clean as mig welding with gas.

That project is going to produce some fumes, and from more than the galvanized metal. Once you start heating the animal ...waste, you're going to want a respirator under your welding mask!

Good luck. Post pics. I'm interested in seeing how it turns out.

 

[ToddW]

Ok, I took a picture of one of the kennels last night. This is an average representation of how some of them look. I'll be taking this one out and swapping it with a spare today and will start cleaning it up to first eliminate the rust. I meant to put a scale in the picture, but I forgot. The hole is about 2 1/2" long.

 

[mojoinco]

I have the Hobart 180 (predecessor model). Nice machine. I use it in the MIG mode only (I was already using my old Sears/Century unit that way). Plenty of machine, and better duty cycle, plus it has a feature that the better units have: if the gun trigger is not pressed down, it isn't electrically hot. Ok, it is hot, but only due to capacitance. With some of the smaller units, the gun is hot when the unit is on. Can't speak to which models, but my old Sears unit was hot when the power was on.

+1 on the smaller wire with the thin metal. The machine can be converted to MIG at a later date (most machines can be). Easy to do, get a bottle of the appropriate gas, a regulator, and reverse two wires (already designed for that). MIG has less splatter. The spray mentioned above is available in 1# jars of grease (you cut a hole in top of the plastic can ~1" dia and stick the stinger into it). The advantage of the 180+ models is that you have a concern in welding -- that the two pieces being welded together need enough heat to make them fuse together, and that means at least some area around the weld needs a transition of heat to keep the metal from being too brittle in that zone. You will want to be able to change wire sizes to adjust for differing jobs (example is .023 and .035 dia wire). And the larger machines take a ~10# roll of wire (1 or 23 rolls are $$$ when you add up the per pound cost), though I have run out and run down to the hardware store for the 2# rolls. All you need to convert sizes of wire are the correct size tips.

FYI: Hobart is also sold in the private label brand 'Weldmate' (at distributors of welding gases only). Hobart is definitely now a lower line sister brand to Miller.

Craigslist is a great place to find machines, especially of the 110v type (as noted above, sometimes in killer deals). Mig you can learn pretty fast, stick takes a bit more knowledge. When welding on galvanized stuff, drink plenty of milk! And try to grind off the galvanizing, as it contaminates the weld.

 

[Soundguy]

I was gonna say get a real 220v welder.. but a 120v 70-90a mig with flux wire will likely do ya.

check a campbel hausfeld at walmart.. etc.

soundguy