Anything welding

I’ve been doing automotive related things and a few structural or side things as of late. Working on exhausts, messing with fabrication and just got my hands on an English wheel I can access, made some frames for a company to use for decorations, made some railing for some apartment buildings, want to give a motorcycle gas tank a go this winter for the first time. I’m sure I’d be fine now with the $825 PrimeWeld, have used a buddies Maxstar 210 I believe, and the shop I have access to has Lincoln, Miller, ESAB, etc. I’m partial to Miller but have no loyalties whatsoever. I know the cheap PrimeWeld Tig225X would be more than enough for me now. I could order it today and have it set up in a week and be happy. I’m just wondering from more experienced folks if they’d recommend just jumping to the good stuff right away rather than buying this cheap machine, then in a year or two buying a $3,500 machine anyway as soon as I find out it won’t do a, b, or c. Thanks for your feedback thus far. Don’t need to weld tinfoil or soda cans or razors. Don’t need to weld 1/2” plate or build a skyscraper.

I would just like the future security of any time an opportunity to weld is put before me I can say, sure I can do that, rather than man, I could if I bought a new machine…

 

Is this a hobby or a money making side gig?

Not many if us can throw down $3.5k without knowing we have a way to make the expense worth it.

I know there is plenty of work out there, but do you have access to it?

I took a loan out for my $1800 MIG unit 20 years ago and paid it off in 3 months.

If you got the work and time, I'd spend the top dollar and be done with it.

My MIG machines are no where near worn out and I'd expect the same with a top brand TIG unit.

 

I have other personal businesses so this would be part time work, part time hobby, see what comes of it from there. I’m blessed to not need to make money at it but very much going to do my best to make sure me here and there as the years go on. My wife and I try not to do loans so we would pay outright out of a fund set aside for saving for this sort of thing. If I decide on a more expensive setup I will put money there until I can afford it. If not it will gray going toward emergency fund and future home fund.

Just wanting to future proof my purchase as much as possible, not completely. I know there’s no such thing as future proof. But there is such a thing as being as thorough as possible and rolling with the punches from there ha. Thanks again for all thoughts and input on the decision

 

any particular reason you are looking at solely a GTAW machine? am contemplating machines myself so just curious

 

My old welder:


1/4" 316SS







18ga

 

Honestly still down for a multi process if someone knows something I don’t. But all the models I considered I had to concede something in tig. So I could get two multiprocess machines or just get one tig machine that does everything I want and nothing I don’t. Alway up to be educated though!

 

Miller’s new multimaric 220 does it all. Mig stick ac/dc tig and I think it’s high frequency start.

 

For sure. If it and the 255 had an offspring you’d have AC tig and push-pull mig. The 220 gas certainly been a contender for comparison to other tig specific models. Thank you!

 

I've had my MM220 for a bit. MIG is awesome, but haven't had a chance to try the TIG yet. Still need to get a dedicated argon cylinder. Will likely get it all set up (gas, new torch, tungsten, filler, grinder, etc) with xmas bonus funds. Not sure how long you are going to be looking, but will report back in the coming months...

 

Made some progress on the grapple bucket for the mini skid steer.

 

Picked up this antique today. Moving sale, got it pretty cheap but as is. Engine turns over nicely and it was in daily use as a fence welder a few years back. I’ve gotta do the usual oil change and clean out the fuel system before I can give it a shot. It’ll take the place of a genset and wit ac/dc capabilities and 100 percent duty cycle it should do anything I’ll need it for building fences and sheds here. It’s not an SA200 but it doesn’t need to be a pipeline welder here.

It looks like this small electronic device might be an ignition module or ??? It has a few small wires that disappear into the engine tin. Anyone recognize it?

 

Does it have 3 wires? Could be a voltage regulator for the engine.

 

Two wires. At least two exist now. Insulation is in sad shape and there’s a dead ended wire laying on the motor by the carb I need to check out too.

 

Can't believe no one has mentioned Fronius.
Just sayin.
Zim
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhWQodTogys

 

it must have been easier to mount there outside then where it belongs .

Did you download the users manual yet it should have schematic helping you figure things out.

Good luck.

 

Fronius and HTP offer some great machines. But like a lot of stuff it comes down to local support and pricing. Not many novices guys want to spend 2k+ on a machine. Let alone one that they use once a month when something like a Hobart 210 or one of the harbor freight machines does what they need at half (or more) the cost.

And getting support for them locally isnt the same as Miller or Lincoln.


But still great machines. Ive looked at both HTP and Fronius quite a bit as a potential upgrade to my hobart 210

 

For What it is worth Earl Beck out of Baltimore Md is a dealer for Fronius machines last I heard they also service them

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sure does. Looks like I am missing the idle solenoid. Don’t know how they controlled engine speed without it. I tried to go to the Lincoln site and download that but it wasn’t working for me. Thanks for the file!

 

Oh I know they are expensive, but he said he didn't care about the price...lol. Load it up! Honestly in a few months you'll find it difficult to find a loaf of bread, much less replacement tips for the plasma. Go buy yeast!!
LMAO
Zim