Anything welding

mig 180 it is then

 

When you get it dont be afraid to ask for help in here. I did a few months ago and I learned alot about welding stainless.

Everyone in here was super helpful.

 

for sure, i’m going to need to. i have no experience welding and i hope to be a proficient welder by summer when i start doing all my more major projects. hopefully the people of TW can help contribute to that

 

Make the trip up here, I'll teach you some

 

where you located?

 

Fresno County

 

that’s not too far, next time i see a good deal up that way i’ll come pay you a visit

 

My vote would be no! Not as a first machine.

All I can say to me using that machine was very frustrating to the point I just took the job home and used my machine.

 

I would just make plans and go get some hands on lessons .

The more you learn the better you will be able to weld test any used machines!!

Best of Luck!

 

Ill try to when i have a chance to, but im also curious what else i need besides just the welder, bottle, and protection. or is it just those to start? im reading all through this fourm to hopefully become more educated.

 

I'll chime in.

1. Welding hood; if you are going to spend any good amount of money on anything this should be on the top of that list after your welder, and welding tank. There are many that successfully use cheaper helmets like those offered by Harbor Freight, or those Yeswelders found on Amazon. Sure, you don't need the nicest, fanciest, coolest looking hood on the block but you only get one set of eyes. I'd rather spend good money on a quality hood that will always work as intended rather than risking getting flashed with a cheaper variant.

I've been flashed by Vulcans, and even a Miller just a few months ago. I think that Miller just had an issue or something happened to it or maybe wasn't suited for TIG cause it was months old and only flashed me when I would TIG weld.

2. Welding gloves; these are consumables. Keep this in mind when you buy your first pair and wonder if you should spend $15 or $35 for a pair. If I were you, I'd go to your local welding store and get a feel for a few pairs and pick whatever feels most comfortable for you. Don't get too caught up on what you feel when trying to grab stuff, MIG gloves are naturally thicker (and more resistant) than TIG gloves as you don't need precise control and handling for MIG.

3. Welding pliers; your most used tool. You'll use these to clean out your nozzle and clip your wire.

As for clothes and the remainder of all that, jeans are perfect as they are made of cotton. Really, you just want to stay away from any synthetic materials as that stuff will melt onto your skin if caught by any sparks. If I really need to get some welding done, I use one of my cheap welding jackets I got from Amazon. If it's chilly, I wear a cotton hoodie. If it's a quick few beads, I just put on my welding sleeves while wearing a cotton t-shirt. I always wear jeans though and I always wear leather boots (mine are carbon toe) for in case you drop something on your foot.

Aside from that, not much else. I don't use any of that nozzle goop stuff and my wire never sticks to my tips; I haven't replaced a tip or nozzle on any welder I've owned or used professionally other than my spoolgun (aluminum is way different).

If you do make your way out here, I always have extra gloves to use, several welding hoods, and some sleeves as no one enters my garage without some sort of PPE while I'm working.

 

This tread is a good way to get answers to specific questions, but I'd spend some time on YouTube university. Search for welding for beginners and you'll find a bunch of videos explaining the basics, what you'll need and how to set everything up.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=welding+for+beginners

 

Curious on what you feel is the best hood? I feel like I need an upgrade, I can't see shit unless I place light directly over whatever I am welding.

 

I bought this one, I think it works pretty good.

$90 YESWELDER Large Viewing True Color Solar Powered Auto Darkening Welding Helmet with SIDE VIEW, 4 Arc Sensor Wide Shade 4/5-9/9-13 Welder Mask for TIG MIG ARC Grinding Plasma LYG-Q800D

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PLZ8M33

 

My personal favorite is a Lincoln 3350 which I use all the time.

I only own the Lincoln 1740 as I was welding at my last shop for 10-12 hours a day and wanted something lighter, and expendable.

My go to in the garage since retiring is still my 3350, but if I need to swap the lens (and I don't want to stop mid-way through a job) I just grab the 1740.



I've used both for welding MIG, TIG, and SMAW, as well as doing some overhead.

I went this route because they've been in the business for a long time, and have a reputation for being reliable.

 

4. Clamps & Magnets; You need some way to hold your work pieces in place. I use a combination of wide jaw adjustable clamps, 45/90 magnets and adjustable angle magnets of various sizes.

5. (Optional, but highly suggested) Fixture Table; You need something to weld on. Chances are your floor is not level.

 

Oh for sure, just covering must-haves

I've seen plenty of neanderthals here weld on the floor

 

I'm too old for that now.

 

Same, that's why I never welded on the floor

 

what about making my own table? i was thinking of using casters with the brake as the wheels and a steel frame and table top with a wooden bottom where the welder itself would sit.