Anything welding

Think you managed an optical illusion...

... at first look, the top piece seems like horizontal thick plate that's kinda wavy/uneven and you welded part of the edge.

With your mention of it being sheet, now it also looks like a vertical piece of thin sheet metal..

 

Looking for some perspective. I have always wanted to learn to weld, but I was never in a position surge the time and money. I really think this is something I will enjoy but I'm not sure about what machine to start with.
The projects i think I would get into would be a north shore style hitch bike rack, weld it yourself bumper kit, ladder rack. I noticed a lot of 120 v machines claim you can weld up to 5/16 steel. The bumper kits I have seen are only 3/16.
I can't decide if I am being silly considering a big bad machine to learn or if it would be foolish to try to make the smaller machine work when I should just buy once/cry once.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Lincoln-Electric-120-Volt-140-Amp-Multi-process-Wire-Feed-Welder/1001437212
This machine is one I was looking at on the small end. Harbor freight has one that is dual voltage with better capabilities for cheaper, but there are only a few things I actually consider from that store.

 

Two words, Harbor Freight. There are other that will join in with the model numbers.

 

If you think you'll ever do aluminum, you might want to look at AHP and Primeweld Tig machines. I don't weld a lot but I do enjoy it and like having the skills and equipment. I have a Lincoln wire feeder (120V) and recently got a Primeweld AC/DC Tig/Stick that has pulse and square wave frequency adjustments when I needed to weld some thin aluminum. Never tried stick welding and don't really think I'll have a need to but you never know I guess.

 

I should have given a link. I was more talking specs and not brands. I'm really just trying to figure out how much I don't know about welder capabilities

 

I could definitely see doing aluminum but I have heard that it is more difficult so I don't know how realistic it is to say I want to do that any time soon

 

Get a 240v machine (or dual voltage I should say). I learned on a 120v and it’s a huge step up in efficiency going to a 240v.

I had the harbor freight titanium mig 140 and I really liked it. Jumped up to a harbor freight Vulcan migmax 215. It was a great upgrade and I really like the welder. I really like being able to tell the welder what thickness I’m welding and it does all the settings for me.

 

Excited to get my 220 machine, and top it off with gas!

 

Agreed. I looked at the 140 and decided it’d be worth the bit extra to go to the dual voltage Titanium 170. Figured I could buy once and have something I’d have room for growth, and I wouldn’t have to be in a rush putting 240V into the garage.

Yes I look at the panel under the door for suggested feed and voltage, but I kinda find myself tweaking them a bit anyway so that’s not been a handicap.

@AODRN Also plan to get a tank of gas. Makes a significant difference. Flux core is fine when needed but make sure you buy something that can use shielding gas.

 

I guess that is the smart move. I definitely want to get gas. I keep starting at the low end of the spectrum and talking myself up over $1000 by the end. I guess I've blown money on worse things though.

 

I would also recommend a 240v machine. I have had the smaller Miller 211, running on 240v, and have had instances where it just felt like it was sort of struggling when it was turned way up and welding thicker material. I have a larger Miller 255 now and it lays a nicer bead on the same thicker material. I think that after you get the hang of it, you will run into that and wish you had bought a more powerful welder.

 

I personally love the stuff... But gun angle becomes a big priority

 

Nice display.
Zim

 

I’m a big fan of dual voltage as well. I think it’s worth the extra money for the options it gives you. No problem on 120v doing thinner stuff but gives you the option to weld thicker material. Also nice to be able to just plug it into a 120v and get started as soon as you get it/be able to move it around as needed. Can then install an outlet or get an extension cord to 220v when you need it.

I welded my whole wedge camper on 120v b/c it’s just 16ga and it was plenty of juice plus I had to do it in my backyard because it wouldn’t fit in my small garage but I’ll sure as as hell get setup for 220v before I start my rear bumper.

 

+1 on the Titanium 170 with shielding gas. That's my setup as well and I'm very happy with it.

 

You will have no issues (other than duty cycle) building a rear bumper on a 120v machine.

 

You'll get there easy, no worries. The welder is a fraction of the overall spend if you're not already set up for metalworking. Welding table (cheap HF one works well enuf to begin with), clamps of various types, magnets/squares, grinders (multiples easier than swapping discs/cutting wheels/wire wheels all the time), welding cart (buy or make), helmet, ear protection & other PPE, metal saw of some sort, etc.

It all adds up. Well worth it IMHO, as this is pretty fun as a hobby, nice to be able to build / fix stuff.

And depending on your family/friends it also becomes a bit like being the only one with the pickup - you may find you have new "friends" when you're the one that can weld.

 

have a coworker who after seeing the bender stand I made, has decided he wants me to build a rack for his utility trailer.

 

I ordered a baby cold cut saw today and I couldn't be more excited. I have no way of making 90 degree cuts and currently just eyeball it with an angle grinder. It never works out. I finally had enough last night when I cut out some legs for a bed cage/rack I'm making. Crooked as shit, so enter baby saw. This is the little brother to the evo cold cut saw that everyone loves, except it's less than half the price and will be easier to store away since space is a premium in my garage. It can fit up to 2" round tube which is 99.9% of what I cut.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Evolution-10-Amp-7-25-in-Chop-Saw/3386576

 

Interesting, that would be perfect for my garage too. I’ve been using a ryobi 10” chop saw for about 15 years to cut metal. It’s worked well but it’s starting to show signs of fatigue. That little chop saw looks nice.

On another note, I just got my first 4-5” angle grinder. I used it to cut some brackets off of my axle so I can raise my track bar and do a high steer setup on my Jeep. I cannot believe I’ve been using a huge 7” grinder this whole time. It’s a little makita that I got on sale, it cut through 1/4” steel brackets like butter! Never again will I not have a smaller angle grinder. Haha.