any welders out there?

sweet 350$ isnt bad. did you buy it new? and yea all i plan on doin for a while is gettin the hang of it with some scrap. its just something i think would be useful to know

 

yea that would get pretty annoying, looks like i have alot more to research!

 

out here there are a crap load of shops going under I would think you could find a used welder at a good price

 

Also, check out Cyberweld's site. I remember them having good prices on their stuff from when I was looking for a welder.

 

Nice! check out this sticer I just found, when you get a welder you'll need to get one of these too!

 

hahahaha ill have to look into that!

 

Ya, bought mine new. But that was 3 years ago. They might be more/less now. One more thing: Wear a respirator and keep a fan going. The stuff in welding wire is NASTY stuff.

 

i bought my lincoln about 3years ago also..that shits not cheap..lol.

Ive taken a beginners and advanced course throu my local votech school, and it has taught me alot. Ive tinkered with some stuff here and there, and ive even done some body work and exhaust with mine...Its fun, but aggrivating at the same time.

Im really thinking about going to WTTI, which is right by you in Allentown, PA. About 6K a "semister", plus materials and books I think. Not too shabby.

 

I just went through this with my father-in-law. I tried to tell him to get a gas shielded mig welder in the 130 amp or higher rating with a higher duty rating or one with no duty rating at all.

He ended up with a Northern Tool brand with flux core wire. He can upgrade to gas shielded but didn't want the expense.

I own a Lincoln mig welder and love it. I am working on a Jeep for my dad in law and had to weld motor mounts on the frame for him. We borrowed a Snap-On gas shielded mig from one of his neighbors that also worked well.

All I can say is, I do not like the flux core welder. It spattered like crazy and I didn't like the whiteish/yellowish residue from the flux that it left behind. You have to clean it up before welding again.

Just my .02

Marc M

 

thanks alot for all the info guys, i def got some more looking around to do this is nothing you can just jump into thats for sure!

 

Either Arc or MIG welder are fine. Brands I prefer between Hobart and Miller.

 

I was in your shoes 2 yrs. ago and needed to learn to weld a little to work on my jeep. I know a welder and he recommended a millermatic 175. It is 230 volt so I had to run a different power source to my shop. I am a crappy welder but it has more than enough power for what I need. I have watched people that actually know what they're doing use my welder and it's amazing. I think you can weld aluminum with it too, you just have to have an aluminum spool gun and a different type of gas. I did learn just last week to not weld over my feet while wearing tennis shoes, so take this post for what it's worth. Best of luck with your choice, it is fun.

 

I've also got the Lincoln 125 flux core and haven't had a single problem out of it. I found it at a pawn shop in brand new condition for $200. I've used it a prety good bit and it does a great job. It does have the splatter that goes along with the flux core but Airgas wanting $175 for a tank plus the $100 for the gas add on kit for the welder to do mig just wasn't worth it to me. I can deal with a little extra cleanup on my welds. You also lose some of the welding thickness when you goto mig from flux core. my $.02

Murph

 

im in no rush to get anything here so i think based on what some of you guys are sayin that im gonna look around and see if i can find a nice used one since i dont need anything top notch to start with

 

Been welding for over 10 years. Depends on what you want to weld. If you want to start making little projects skip the arc(stick) and go straight to Mig (wire fed). Would definitely recommend a miller 140 to start out. You can pick that up for about $700 but they are dependable and good machines. I have been using a Miller 135 for the past 7 years now and no problems. Lincoln is CRAP! Dont waste your time with the ones you can buy from home depot because you're just throwing your money away.
Once you get a machine there is plent of material on line for different methods of welding; Beads, tips, prepping material, and basics. Would definitely recommend getting a auto dimming helmet, good set of welding gloves and NEVER look at the weld without a mask on. When you wake the next morning and cant open your eyes you will know why.
PS you can weld with flux cored as a beginner. You dont need to run shielding gas for little projects so dont worry about getting Tanks and gauges just yet.
Good luck and if you need any tips let me know.

 

Hahahahahahaha thats funny.
Im in the process of becoming a welder-goin to a school

 

haha I was arc welding yesturday and noticed my crotch area was getting a little warm, so i stopped welding and looked down to find the entire crotch area of my coveralls engulfed in flames Thankfully i was able to pat it out with my gloves and it only burnt a small hole in my good jeans

Moral of the story...dont skimp on saftey gear.