Got a welder?

[texasz]

I have a new Oxy/Acetelyne set up that I bought in November and have yet to light it up. I have no clue what I'm doing as I have never welded (I used a torch once in '87 to cut some rebar but someone else set it all up all I had to do was cut). Anyone in Austin want to come over and teach me? I have a parts car that is all rust...we can have some fun cutting and welding.

[Fun_in_my_z]

If you paid 700 for a mig you got ripped. Picking up a 150 mig on friday...$250

(Need it to fix old rusty)

[mdbrandy]

If you paid 700 for a mig you got ripped. Picking up a 150 mig on friday...$250

(Need it to fix old rusty)

Cheap is not always good, though. I've heard both good and bad concerning some of the cheaper units. Does yours include all the gas hookups too? That'll cost extra if not. Add a cart, helmet, MIG pliers, gloves, tank of gas, etc., and you can easily spent $600-$700. And you can also cut corners, buy the cheapest stuff you can, and probably get by and maybe do fine. I paid $400 for my Lincoln with the gas kit, but then all the other stuff undoubtedly added another $200. And I'm confident that I know where to get parts, consumables, etc. for it at several places in town.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Dads welder Dad picked it out...hes the welder...he says hes got everything for it....i donno

[EScanlon]

If you paid 700 for a mig you got ripped. Picking up a 150 mig on friday...$250

(Need it to fix old rusty)

A HOBART 150 or a "just as good" 150?

I'll think that when you check the recovery times and weld time involved you might find that 250 to be twice as expensive as a well bought 700 machine.

TANSTAAFL.

I've used less expensive welders and found myself having to wait longer and longer between shorter and shorter periods of welding. That makes for sloppy and weak welds.

2¢

Enrique

[ChrisA]

I'm still looking for a small MIG or TIG for home. But at my shop I have some nice toys.

LTEC Migmaster 250 with ST-23 Aluminum Mig Torch

Miller 250 Twin Buzzbox

Hypertherm Powermax 1100 Plasma Cutter

I really want something for the home garage so I dont have to travel to the shop to weld. But its only 10 miles so its not too bad.

Chris

[Mr Camouflage]

Yeah I've been wanting a mig welder for ages. Havent got one yet. Its really holding me up on my restoration. That, and the fact I work, have a girlfriend, like to sleep, like to spend some time relaxing on the weekend. I only get to work on the car a couple of hours a week, on average. But I digress.

Any recomendations on Mig welders that are available in Austrailia.

I've seen CIG mig welders at bunnings around the $700 mark I think.

I've been considering taking a take course in welding. Have welded since high school.

But I'll probably just get a welder and jump right in and learn by myself, like i do with everything else.

[Fun_in_my_z]

Its a HOBART. Dont ask me how he got it so cheap. As long as it gets the job done.

[jlm_1951]

Have had a Lincoln SP-135 MIG for 2years. Just got a Miller Maxstar STH TIG.

World of difference! Much finer control with the TIG, perfect for doing

sheet metal patches and such.

[GregP]

Speaking of welding! I have never welded before and having been planning to learn. I am confused by the type of welders out there and the names you guys are talking about (MIG, ARC, Stick, Spot,etc). If I wanted to be able to body repair by patching in metal and I also wanted to be able to build a rotisserie (heavier welding?) what type should I look into? What would be the easiest to work with while giving me some versatility? Price is not really the issue but ease of use is.

Thanks,

Greg

[LanceM]

Greg,

MIG is a type of wire welder that uses an inert gas to shield the weld instead of a flux. It has the ability to weld aluminum, steel, stainless, when the right gas and wire are used. Can weld sheet metal and thicker, probably one of the most popular welders.

TIG uses a tunstun (sp?) contact that is shielded by an inert gas and a filler rod is used. Highly controlable and excels when welding light sheet metals, can be used for heavy gauge materials also.

ARC/stick is just that, a flux coated filler rod is held in a holder and when you strike an arc the rod and the metal you are welding melt and flow. Personally I find them great for metal 3/8" thick and thicker but that's about it.

MIG is what I would recommend to you, it can do so many types and thicknesses of metal and it is easy to weld well with one.

Bill,

In my $700 I included the welder, an autodarken helmet (got to love that baby!), a 40 cu ft tank for shielding gas, an assortment of wire in 10# rolls, tips, some new gloves, pliers, it adds up fast. Just looking at this list I would have to say that the welder was only around $350 if I remember right half that was just for "stuff"....

[jwc4248]

I bought my Millermatic 90 almost 15 years ago. Paid almost $1200 dollars but it was new stuff then for the hobbyist, and that included the 144cu.ft. cylinder, cart and everything. I had just started racing. I couldn't have done anything without it. I have not had a single problem with the unit till last week. My pressure regulator will be back from repairs tomorrow.