Anything welding

We've established that you don't like multi process units. If going for a MIG only machine, do you think that the Miller 211 is a good choice or do you have any other recommendations?

 

I like it. I like the new HF units as well as the Hobart handlers, too.

 

Apparently shipyards require extensive background checks before even getting a weld test. Hella interesting.

 

I had my eye on the Hobart Handler 190, but not sure about having a dedicated 240V machine. I really like the versatility of the Miller 211 with the optional 120V/240V. I am renting and don't have a 240 outlet in the garage. The optional 120V let's me use the unit for most purposes on a normal outlet and I can run a cord from the dryer if I need the extra power. The $600 difference is hard to justify for that versatility though.

 

Hobart 210 mvp. Love mine.

 

If its a Federal Shipayrd its an interesting process and outside certs really dont mean shit. Well they might get you hired in as a higher rate if they put out announcements for them. But yeah...apply, get hired, go through a local and state background to get "temporary" access while they do the full on background check. But most of the welders go to the weld school and start learning and getting qualified. If the weld school is full then they get put on projects as fire watches/moving machines/ect. They hir eplenty of people with zero experience welding. Those that cant get qualified on stuff...well theres plenty of basic stuff for them (oxy cutting, firew atches, ect)

love mine too

 

Things got really tight I needed to get a Twix card to get into the ship yards and any of the ports

You might want to look into that if your thinking of ship building or doing any tank rehab work

 

I got my TWIC but it doesn’t even count. I got my name in for a couple jobs in VA but they all say it’s a 2-3 week check and one job was 2-3 months

 

Always heard they needed a twic card, old timers here say to stay away from shipyards. They will work you to death and get rising you like nothing.

 

Got the winch mounted and a cover made for my trailer rehab project. Also mounted the battery tray I made and cutout some fender inner exp lightweight steel to prevent stuff from falling into the path of a moving wheel. All material was re-purposed scrap. Winch cover is a garage door opener motor cover with fabbed end caps.

I sloped my battery tray to promote water/snow drainage since trailer sits outside. Also covered bottom of the tray with peel and stick rubber.

Actually welded the fender liners in and painted, but didn't get a pic before I came in from the garage. They had some gaps due to being scrap and a little short on length.

Badlands Winch was on sale for $49 at Harbor Freight: 2500 lb pull; has key fob style wireless remote. Should be enough strength for intended purpose. I was surprised at how fast it travels out/in.

I am going to hook it to the truck, jack knife it, and see how close the battery tray is to hitting the truck's bumper. I may cut it back off and move it into the trailer bay. I think it's fine, but going to check to be sure.

I am still debating about reducing the height of that rear rail going across the back. Probably cut it down to a height of 1" so when I throw a piece of 1" plywood in for a floor for dragging stuff onto the trailer. Right now, it is closer to 2" in height.

 

Meh. I just wanna see what it’s like. You know how it is when you’re a welder. You drive by something cool and go “I wanna help build that”

So I’m doing it

Also my wife being in the navy means we will always be near ships. Might as well learn how to build em

 

Any recommendations a TIG newbie machine?

Found an econotig that looks well taken care of for $800

Or go the HF route for the PROTIG at $1000

Diversion 165, $1400

I would like AC/DC since I want to be able to TIG aluminum as well. Other than that, I have no idea what features to look for or want.

 

You won’t be disappointed with the Miller 211. I had one and built a ton of stuff. With the 211, a chop saw and a grinder you can build pretty much anything. Here are just a few things I have pictures of; off-road trailer, bumper for my friends trailer, bed slide, frame chop, welding table, welding cart, and on and on..... Buy it...

 

Are you able to Tig weld Now ??

If not it makes it real hard checking used machines.

Just what all comes with the Econotig every thing but the Argon cylinder ??

Also makes it hard to know just what features are must have the more goodies the more $$$

Liquid cooled torch some will not weld without them

I would stay away from the Diversion out of warranty so very expensive to repair .

The Vulcan line seems to be pretty decent almost looks to be a copy of the Lincoln`s built on the same line in Mexico who can say

 

That's how it is up here in Portsmouth, NH too I believe

 

Thanks for the help. This gets me approaching it a different way now.

 

Why did I not think of that?
great idea, I want to go camping with my boys, but I don't want to toss a tent on the ground anymore, The pop up camper we have is too new to yank back in the woods. I was honestly thinking about using those pockets and some wood to support a sheet of plywood and just pitch a tent in the bed, This seems way better!

what I do is host my files on Google Photos, then you can edit the URL to make a pic smaller.

Pre-req's
you have your files in Google Photo AND you made a shared album where the pictures are.

Step 1)
click on pic to make it full screen,


Step 2)
right click on image and choose " Copy Image address"


Step 3)
Come onto TW.com start your post, click on the little "Image" icon beside the smiley menu, and paste your URL
**Note the highlighted part, this is at the very end of your pasted URL, its the original picture size, in this example its currently 1250 pixels wide, and 937 high, AKA. pretty big


Step 4)
Change those numbers to something more reasonable.
in this case, I chose to do 640 x 480, much much more manageable.



Some common sizes I use with good results are
- 640 x 480 (small)
- 800 x 600 ( medium ) - I use this one the most, best of both worlds IMO.
- 1024 x 768 and up is pretty large IMO.

Below are the original size and then the same image, but in 640 x 480. This way i'm not editing the pics, and I can keep the higher resolutions for my archival purposes. Its also helpful when you are posting across different forums, just one place to have all your pictures, and if they have different picture size requirements then its easy to edit the link and make it work.


Big Pic


Small Pic



***Credit for this goes to the boys over at CB750C.com, their strict rules for pics only being 800 x 600 due to many members not having high speed interwebs taught me how to quickly resize pics on the fly without having to manually re-size them all the time and upload two versions.****

 

alright,
now onto the good stuff.

the bender is looking more like a bender!
its been a slow build, but i think another solid night of working and i'll be able to turn some pipe into scrap

 

Thanks man. Wood would work, lots of people do it. It was a good, cheap, functional project. Here’s a few pics of progress along the way. The front panel, closest to the cab is about two inches shorter than the other two. This is so I can pop it up and gain access underneath that panel. It’s where I’ll keep my bed roll and sleeping bag.

 

Okay, after going to a couple local shops and talking to a few people, I've set myself on a dedicated MIG machine. Still have my eyes on a new Miller 211, but saw a local CL ad for a used 211 (older, transformer version).

Weight is not a concern as it'll live in the garage. Anyone have opinions on the transformer vs. inverter options?