Hey guys, I just wanted to ask a QUICK question about welding.
I've been interested in it for a while, and I want to buy a welding setup. Durability is a top concern, and I'm looking for a setup that runs 220V.
Since any projects are mechanical in nature, I would need to be able to do between 1/16"-1/4" welds -- I'm not doing any sort of super-fine electrical work, so finer detail control is not necessary.
It'd be wicked great if anyone had some knowledge & could help point me in the direction of an affordable setup..? I have about $500 to spend.
I had been thinking about picking up the [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Electric-K1170-AC225S-Welder/dp/B0000CBIKA/ref=sr_1_9?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1400852394&sr=1-9&keywords=arc+welder+220+volt"]Lincoln Electric K1170 AC225S[/URL] as I know Lincoln Electric is a reputable company.. but honestly, I'd really like some advice on this subject.
If anyone has experience welding, and could make recommendations to me, that'd be fantastic.
I say get a used MIG (one that uses gas) (maybe a miller if you can find one at that price)
500 isnt much of a budget but it should be enough to get you a somewhat decent starter rig.
I'd rather use an oxy acetylene setup over a stick welder.
I had given a MIG setup serious consideration, but my old man told me that arc welding works well enough not to need anything else...?
I plan on doing fabrication for motorcycles, bicycles, and cars/trucks.
MIG welding would be the preferred option yet?
TY for the hel
The way I see it
arc welders belong in shipyards and on remote locations where other solutions are hard to accommodate.
For automotive and just general fabrication, get a MIG, you'll thank me later. Upgrade to a TIG when you're ready for some baller (roll of nickles) welds.
Disclaimer: I'm no pro welder but I do have some experience with all 4 major welder types and arc welders are by far my least favorite to use.
Arc is a pain to use. go with MIG
I'd love to learn to weld and eventually buy a welder, it's just having to buy gas that's putting me off. I know I can get flux core wire so I wouldn't have to use gas but it just seems like a bit of a pain in the arse.
I always preferred stick tbh, but that's because I work small scale and low budget. When I was an apprentice MIG was definitely a lot faster to pick up. If you can afford the consumables and need a greater turnover than stick can handle, go for it.
Definitely get MIG.
I started learning stick and it was a pain, when I was introduced to MIG I was so pissed that I didn't start with it. It's basically a hot glue gun for metal, point and weld. Don't get me wrong, there's a lot of technique to it. I'm not saying it's trivial, but the skill entry barrier is so incredibly low compared to other welding techniques.
You should check with your local community college about welding courses. They often have 6-week or 12-week courses that give you a significant fallback option for the future. The certificate can only help if it's something you want to do as a hobby anyway. Regardless of what type of welding you take the course in you will likely be introduced to all the types of welding, and then you can make a decision about what type fits your need.
Thanks for the advice guys.
Based on what I'm hearing, I'm going to pick up a mig welding setup -- and I'll look into taking CC courses.
It'd be OK for a mod to lock this or whatnot.
I just bought myself a MIG a few days ago and tonight I finally got some wire and tips and gave it a go. Before this I've only used an ancient stick welder, which does the job (and would do a better job with some new cables, etc), but holy shit the mig is so easy to use.
I got mine second hand for about half price (AU$400), 3 years old and never used. It's a Deca Decaster 180e, 160A 230V gas/gasless. I'm just using flux core because gas bottles and refilling is expensive here, but eventually I'll have a go at aluminium and stainless steel.
First important thing I've learnt already is to make sure you've got the polarity set right if you've got a gas/gasless welder - a lot less splatter.
[QUOTE=anklyne;44932845]I just bought myself a MIG a few days ago and tonight I finally got some wire and tips and gave it a go. Before this I've only used an ancient stick welder, which does the job (and would do a better job with some new cables, etc), but holy shit the mig is so easy to use.
I got mine second hand for about half price (AU$400), 3 years old and never used. It's a Deca Decaster 180e, 160A 230V gas/gasless. I'm just using flux core because gas bottles and refilling is expensive here, but eventually I'll have a go at aluminium and stainless steel.
First important thing I've learnt already is to make sure you've got the polarity set right if you've got a gas/gasless welder - a lot less splatter.[/QUOTE]
Aluminium that isnt quite thick can be quite a pain with a MIG :( I suffered with blow through terribly with my cheap MIG so I went back to stick and it very strangely seemed to work better.
I couldn't manage to do anything useful with alluminium plates and my mig welder, other than really terrible joints that broke instantly or blowing holes through them. I've found steel to work a lot better though.
Been doing a fir bit of welding for my univercity, building a racing car and a few recumbent bicycles this year.
Some advice when you do start to get you going, practise practise practise.
You can only really learn properly from doing. No amount of theory or youtube tutorials will get you sorted as fast as getting some scrap metal and just welding it together.
When you are practicing do all the basics. Lap, butt and T welds are a few.
Also clean up your parts you want welding before you start, I would advise getting a cheap angle grinder to cut, grind and sand the surface before you weld em, makes the job much quicker and easier.
Another bit of advice is to make sure you have a good ground to attach you earthing clamp to. Sand down a bit on the part you want welding so the metal is nice and clean and stick the clamp on there.
Once you've done them cut those suckers through to see if the join is good and clean and is nicely attached to both pieces you are welding. Once your happy with your technique and your getting good welds, go nuts on whatever you want!
Also, there are a few videos of the different types of welding types, short circuit, globular. give them a watch, if you know what the metal is doing as you weld it helps you understand what you need to do to make your welds neat and strong.
Globular: This is what will be happening when you are doing it most likely, if you slow the feedrate of the wire right down you can even see it happening, but your welding speed will be a bit slow.
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRIGks3gxG0[/media]
Sorry, you need to Log In to post a reply to this thread.
