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Anything welding

Discussion in 'Garage / Workshop' started by EL TACOROJO, Sep 17, 2010.

  1. Mar 22, 2019 at 12:34 PM
    teamhypoxia

    teamhypoxia MichelinMan

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    FWIW.... the welder I just bought will use 120 or 240.
    I tried it on 120 before I installed a 240 outlet and I tripped a 15amp circuit frequently and couldn't weld thicker stuff.
    I installed a 240 60A outlet and it works much much better and has never tripped.
    I would definitely get the 240 unit if I were you and explore what it would take to install a 240 outlet.
    Do you have any open breaker spots in your panel?
     
    jubei likes this.
  2. Mar 22, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    Oregon Mike

    Oregon Mike Well-Known Member

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    I made a small extension for my dryer plug and mounted another box with a 220 plug up where it's easy to reach. I just unplug the dryer and plug in the welder when I need it. Of course, if your dryer isn't as accessible as mine you'd need a longer power cord for your welder :cheers:
     
    koditten, golfindia and backcountryj like this.
  3. Mar 22, 2019 at 12:40 PM
    backcountryj

    backcountryj Pending Approval

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    I do. And that is the main reason I'm even considering going with a 120/240 input machine.

    My breaker panel is in an easily accessible location in my garage, and my wife's uncle used to be a licensed electrician and has mentioned he'd be willing to help me install everything. I honestly just don't know the approximate cost of the materials needed to accomplish the job.
     
  4. Mar 22, 2019 at 12:45 PM
    kystnTRD

    kystnTRD Ramblin Man

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    Those old metabos are my favorite! Guard on for sure though.
     
  5. Mar 22, 2019 at 12:50 PM
    teamhypoxia

    teamhypoxia MichelinMan

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    My panel is on the outside wall of the garage so it was really easy for me. I spent about $20 on the breaker, $15 for 6ga wire, and $15 on this outlet. I spent another $80 on this extension cord to give me a little more freedom. The screwdriver I tried to weld to a live wire in the panel still works, and my wife was able to wash the pee stain out of my underwear so I'm not including those costs.
     
  6. Mar 22, 2019 at 12:50 PM
    Redmann

    Redmann DILLIGAF

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    What if he has a gas dryer :p

    From what I've heard and read about, go with the 120/240 machine.

    Depends on where you want the outlet and if there's sheetrock on the garage walls. No sheetrock and outlet right under the panel, I'd say materials would be about $25-35 give or take. The further away, the more wire you'll need, obviously. Sheetrock on the walls will definitely make it take longer to do.
     
    Oregon Mike[QUOTED] likes this.
  7. Mar 22, 2019 at 12:59 PM
    backcountryj

    backcountryj Pending Approval

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    Thanks for the info and links. Very helpful :thumbsup:
    I'm leaning towards the dual machine, just wanted insight from folks more knowledgeable than me in the trade. It seems to offer more options for growth in the long run.

    Ideally I'd put the outlet right under the panel, or on a stud close by. There is sheetrock in the garage, but I have a construction/carpentry background so I'm good in that area. Understandably there is an added materials cost there. I've just only dabbled in the basics with electrical (roughing in wiring and outlet/light/ceiling fan installs/repairs).
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
    Redmann[QUOTED] likes this.
  8. Mar 22, 2019 at 1:30 PM
    golfindia

    golfindia Well-Known Member

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    Yes.
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    You just can't weld anything thick until you move :^)

    Where there's a will, there's a way. When I was in college, I used my 220 electric range outlet for my ham radio amplifier. Room mates thought I was a lunatic.

    I have an older HTP140 mig machine that's 120 only. I ran a neutral line to my 220 30amp mill outlet so that I have a socket with enough juice to turn it all the way up. Make sure you use a 20a socket if you do this, a lot of regular house sockets are only rated for 15amps. And of course, use 10g wire, not 12.
     
    backcountryj[QUOTED] likes this.
  9. Mar 22, 2019 at 11:02 PM
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    First time welder, did I do good?
    Hurricane welder 170 on 120v
    Wire speed 250
    Voltage 15
    0.030 flux core store brand
    1/8 scrap metal I had laying around

    IMG_20190322_225917620.jpg
     
    Last edited: Mar 22, 2019
  10. Mar 22, 2019 at 11:25 PM
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    How about some details:

    Welder?

    Wire?

    Gas?

    Voltage?
     
  11. Mar 22, 2019 at 11:28 PM
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    Good point, just excited to weld. Edited post with information. Any and all critique is welcome
     
  12. Mar 22, 2019 at 11:58 PM
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Looks like you got a good handle on the basics. Did you use the suggested setting on the machine or just get lucky?

    Does that machine have provisions to add gas and use solid core wire? I'm not familiar with that welder.
     
  13. Mar 23, 2019 at 12:11 AM
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    I followed the settings on the machine but my first two welds looked like they were too hot and burning through so I turned it from 18 to 16 to 15. It does have the gas and solid wire option. Just wanted to practice on flux to learn how to setup the machine, get the tension right, and practice a few beads first.

    Also tanks are expensive
    IMG_20190323_000702087.jpg
     
  14. Mar 23, 2019 at 2:32 AM
    Wyoming09

    Wyoming09 Well-Known Member

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    Time to start on Tee Joints

    If you think Shielding Gas is expensive might want to rethink the welding idea.

    The increase in my Electric Bills makes shielding gas look cheap though I am paying for a Melted Reactor so my rates are a tad high
     
  15. Mar 23, 2019 at 2:43 AM
    koditten

    koditten Well-Known Member

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    Ha, ha. I know what you are talking about.

    Nice smooth, thread derail.
     
  16. Mar 23, 2019 at 4:02 AM
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    I’d try going back up to 18v. Thats the same exact settings mine recommends and it does very well. Maybe just try increasing your speed a little bit. Or practice an actual joint instead of just a bead. Looks good though and congrats on the welder!!
     
    desertrunner24 likes this.
  17. Mar 23, 2019 at 5:40 AM
    whatstcp

    whatstcp currently drunk so don't listen to me

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    Will do, just need to find some more scrap steel. This is actually your fault for convincing me that I could do this after your own shock relocation/crosstube
     
  18. Mar 23, 2019 at 6:00 AM
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    I’ll take that blame! Welding is fucking awesome. Once you get more comfortable, sky’s the limit
     
  19. Mar 23, 2019 at 7:03 AM
    BarnBoy

    BarnBoy Well-Known Member

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    In the process of building a headache rack for my Taco. Will be 1.5" sq tube frame, 1.5x3" rect tube with cutout for brake light up top. Probably going to use this heavy duty crusher screen to protect back window.

    Question I have is about attaching rack to the bed. I've decided to go with full length bed rails made of 3/16" 2" angle, and bolt them through to the inside lip on the bed. I'm thinking this should be strong enough, especially with the force spread out over the whole length of the bed. But curious to see if anyone has done this before or has any input?

    KIMG3422.jpg
    KIMG3419.jpg
     
    Bigdaddy4760 likes this.
  20. Mar 23, 2019 at 7:07 AM
    la0d0g

    la0d0g Its 4 o’clock somewhere

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    I had one on my 85. It only extended back about 2' and was plenty. Whole bed should be more than sufficient.
     

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