what it cost to get started welding

[schmism]

Today i upgraded from a friends borrowed welder to one of my own.

A Lincoln Promig 175. Bought used (almost new conditon) from a private seller. $500 (Home depot price $620)

Stop at CK welding supply pickup a #2 40 cu argon/co2 mix bottle (own outright) $140, fill $41 misc other stuff walkaway price $237

Stop at HD pickup 10# spool of wire and 1 lb spool of flux core, plus misc plugs to wire up so i have someplace to plug it in. (220v) $102


I suppose you could walk away with a brand new in box 110v HF mig with an included 1lb spool of flux core and go home and hot glue some stuff together for like $400. (300 welder 100 hood)

but if you want any 220v welder and are starting from scratch your looking at $1000 before you burn your first weld.

 

[AlanB]

Today i upgraded from a friends borrowed welder to one of my own.

A Lincoln Promig 175. Bought used (almost new conditon) from a private seller. $500 (Home depot price $620)

Stop at CK welding supply pickup a #2 40 cu argon/co2 mix bottle (own outright) $140, fill $41 misc other stuff walkaway price $237

Stop at HD pickup 10# spool of wire and 1 lb spool of flux core, plus misc plugs to wire up so i have someplace to plug it in. (220v) $102


I suppose you could walk away with a brand new in box 110v HF mig with an included 1lb spool of flux core and go home and hot glue some stuff together for like $400. (300 welder 100 hood)

but if you want any 220v welder and are starting from scratch your looking at $1000 before you burn your first weld.

And the ability to do it yourself, at your convienience, at your home...............

Priceless

 

[blacksmith]

Now that is MIG welding you can still buy a AC/DC welder and then get a Tig unit and you can weld almost anything.

 

[rcrcomputing]

I've a 110 mig.. It's ok.. Still go back to my ac/dc though.. Unless it's light material.. Price of both, hobarts? With stuff? About 1000.00 I guess.. Sooo, either way, it's about 1000.00..

But,, I can carry my 110 mig around.. Does that give me points? hehe

 

[lovemytoys]

picking up a miller syncrowave 200 tomorrow

 

[rdbrumfield]

I went with the miller. the mig I have is going on 25yrs old and still putting beads down. Also have the ac dc tig unit and a plasma cutter. Haven't played with them much yet. I am building a trike and it is nice for the lighter metal.

 

[bobodu]

$85 for old copper core Lincoln 225 and $11 for a 5lb box of 1/8 6013.
$4 left for lunch.

 

[john_bud]

Gloves? Helmet? Apron? 4 1/2" angle grinder (AKA - weld eraser)? Discs? Chop saw for cutting metal? Supply of metal? Wire brushes for the grinder to clean rust and paint from metal? Sand blaster to clean metal? Assortment of deep throat vice grips, c-clamps, corner clamps, magnets, etc? Chipping hammer for the flux core? Needle scaler for those odd cleaning jobs? Big fan to blow out the fumes?

You didn't mention the extra wire to handle the 30 amps of 240v single phase nor the breaker. You musta had them? You will need an outlet in the garage by the doors and one on the other side too. Maybe in the basement for winter work? (I have 3 welder outlets in my shop...)

The welder is usually about the same cost as the accessories!

Oh, I use CO2 for most welding. It is MUCH less $$ than the mix and lasts 5-10x longer. It's a liquid and not a compressed gas so there is more volume of gas after it volatilizes.

jb


oops - forgot Fire extinguisher. I have used mine on non-ferrous material that wanted to join the party!

 

[rcrcomputing]

Your depressing me.. I don't have the sand blaster!

 

[DavidVT]

I will let you know in about 2 weeks.

I just ordered a Hobart Stickmate AC/DC from Northern Tool via Amazon for $419.00.

I have to buy some rod.

I have a hood ,gloves and hammer that I bought for the cheapo pretty useless stick welder that I brought from a large box store.

I will have to buy and wire the outlet for the welder and add a breaker to my panel. I hope to do all that before it arrives (not sure of the plug configuration).

I will make a cart as the first project. I have the materials...

So I will report back when I start welding so I can tell you exactly how much more it cost me to get started...

Eventually I will add a scratch start tig for DC tig welding. That is all I've done for welding experience in the past, TIG on SS at a food plant with a scratch start invertec. This new welder is for tractor implements.... gona have a grapple soon!!!!!!