Anything welding

This one?

 

Could you also just weld/tack another piece down the middle inside the tube to support it?

 

Yup but not necessary at all.

 

Fairly certain it was the one that's a step down from that. Absolute junk. Motor was way under rated from what the sticker stated, tripped breakers - and the fence/handle assembly is garbage. Even the cord material on HF tools is junk. But - like I said - how could you expect something that costs a fraction of the "real deal" to be a quality tool?

Picked up a Makita yesterday. Much, much better.. Welded a piece of 1/4" flat stock to the fence, stiffened it up quite a bit.

Would love to be able to justify a cold cut or horizontal band saw; just can't do it at the moment.

Pretty cool table from Pirate on notching with a hole saw:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-tools/456800-chop-saw-notching-101-pictures.html

This will have to do until I get my ass around to ordering a JD2 notcher.

 

So any suggestions for a decent MIG welder that's not gonna kill the bank on someone learning to weld? I did a couple practice runs a long time ago but I've never made a successful bead.. My goal is to use it to build sliders, bumper, whatever else for the truck so it needs to be able to weld thick enough metals (my guess from lookin around is one rated high enough to weld at least 1/4")

 

It took me a while to look at anything other than Blue..

But I'm really happy with my Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i.

I feel as though it's a machine that you're not going to outgrow as you become a proficient welder. Plus, it's multi-process/dual voltage as well.

Comes with good consumables - the only thing I'd swap would be the ground clamp. But that's just me.

Make sure you get a good helmet. It's tempting to get the junk from HF.. But how are you going to learn to weld if you can't see the puddle? I'm happy with this one:

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/equipment/welding-gear/helmets/Pages/viking-3350.aspx

 

K maybe it's me or maybe I didn't make it clear... I was deff not tryin to spend anywhere near that kinda cash on a welder... Is there a reason the TONS of $200-500 machines aren't decent enough.. I mean I know these somethin to be said for quality but this is a welder for basically weekend job types of use

 

^^ I love my Longevity mig welder. They make great products that dont cost a fortune.
I got the migweld 140 and sometimes with I got a little bigger unit (220).. but for what I do it
works just fine.

 

Anyone use 75/25 bottles on their side? I know 100% argon is gtg.

I'm building a welding table for home use so space is a concern. What I've been thinking is mounting my welder/bottle under the table. I know there are safety concerns with the neck/regulator, I'm not an idiot, they will be properly protected. I've tried searching and most answers saying no don't seem to know what they are talking about or the info gets lost with people crying about safety or to never lay acetylene on its side, I know this, I know not to use co2 on its side either. I know I've used/seen others use argon on its side but don't know about 75/25, anyone have any input?

 

I may be off base, but as the liquid C02 reaches your regulator - and the pressure is reduced below the boiling point of C02 (Liquid to Gas) - the dramatic expansion of that little bit of liquid C02 to gas could do very bad things to your regulator..

From a little research, it looks like paintball guys have had anti-siphon valves installed. However - it looks like your bottle can ONLY be used in the horizontal position after that. I don't think that would work very well with the exchange program that is in effect at welding gas suppliers. You'd always need YOUR bottle back..

Just curious, why does your design require a bottle laying on it's side?

Argon is fine, because it is purely an inert (GAS), stored under pressure in a gaseous state. Not liquid, like C02.

I might be talking out my ass..

Read This:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/shop-tools/1044169-horizontal-tig-mig-shield-gas-bottle.html

 

I'm not using co2

Argon 75 Carbon Dioxide 25

 

As of now i haven't finalized a design, but it would be easiest to just lay it down on a shelf under the table. Its a 60 do i would be able to stand it up, but I'm just trying tokeep it simple.

 

Not trying to be a dick, carbon dioxide is C02.

 

t

Yes i know but pure co2 acts differently then a mix, that is exactly what I'm trying to find out. Every thread I've read seems to go just like this, all i need is someone to tell me I might bust off the valve or to not lay over acetylene etc.

 

Try reading that link I posted. One of the posts was addressing the mixed gases, seems as though there is enough of a pressure differential within the 75/25 mix to maintain CO2 in a gaseous state.

 

Please practice a lot before you try and do these things. And also welding horizontal, vertical, and overhead are not the same or as easy as welding flat. And just because a weld looks good doesn't mean that it is strong. Here is a good video for you guys with small underpowered flux core machines. It shows some bend tests and how to get the most of of your welds. And you'll be suprised how easily a "good looking" weld will break. Lots of good info in here

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KzSNpsLT40Q

 

Thanks for the info and pm, seems to be what I've been finding, just a lot of people saying you cant do it with ANY compressed gas blah blah blah acetylene explodes blah blah blah. +1 to you!

I'm actually going to mount it verticle under the table, it will take up less room anyway and the tables going to be about 45" tall anyway so I'll have plenty of room for a 60 under there.

 

Just ordered a thermal arc fabricator 211i.
Any one have any feedback on it? I've read nothing but good about them online

Anyone done mig tig and stick with it? I know how to mig and tig. Learning stick next semester

 

I've got one in my shop. Use it daily, in addition to my older ThermalArc 210 Fabricator.
It's a great little welder for welding up to 1/4" regularly, and about 1/2" on occasion if you crank it up. Smooth crisp arc characteristics, and lots of adjustability.
Havent bought the TIG torch yet, but will be doing so pretty soon I think. I've run a few sticks through it to test the stick capability, certainly does the job.

 

You run any 6010 with it? And I'll be getting the tig torch as soon as my work pays for it. Gonna start repairing airplane parts with it