Anything welding

I have never seen it I'll have to check it out.

 

Sweet. I have 2 years experience running the 252 machine. The only downfall I found was welding vertical down with .045 wire on 1/4" plate. Just too much wire not enough heat/penetration. But if all you run is .035, its an awesome machine. Experienced 0 failures that weren't caused by the user. Good luck with the new toy!

 

Good to know I usually run .035 anyway

 

Don't know if I posted about my welder on here, but it was my grandpa's old Miller we pulled out of a barn a month or two ago. Been sitting at least 20 years, all she needs is a new power cord, and an outlet for that (hopefully that's it) then I can start building stuff!

 

So I bought a Hobart Handler 210 like 2 years ago with the plans to learn to weld. Finally got off my a$$ and hooked it all up today.

Bought a strip of 3/16 steel and some .035 flux core wire (no gas tank yet)

Man what a mess I suck at welding hahaha! But I'm on my way I suppose. Definitely need to have an experienced welder over to give me a few lessons!

 

Flux can be tougher than gas/wire. I used to weld a lot with flux-core, I got my miller MIG, and now I can't weld with flux-core very well anymore.

 

Yea, I have plans to get gas I just wanted to try it out so went with flux core today, hopefully next week I will have time to pick up a tank and some gas. looking in to getting in some classes at the local community college.

 

I am sure this has been questioned and answered in this thread somewhere, but 42 pages to look through will hurt my head. So, here goes (get ready "look it up" trolls)...If I wanted to start welding as a hobby, what setup would you guys recommend? I would love to be able to do some of my own Taco work one day, but was just looking for something inexpensive, or particular brand/model that would be good to start with that is not heavy on the wallet.

Like I said, I'm sure its been asked, but would like to see fresh info on the subject.

 

Here you go.

How would you know if the info was "fresh" if you haven't looked through the thread

You can find a cheap Hobart at www.cyberweld.com. Around $380. Then get a good auto dim helmet and some gloves. Don't worry about gas unless you want to add another $300.

Of course, you can search craigslist and find some used stuff too.

 

all I can say is SLOW DOWN! especially with flux core. 90% of the people I've taught to MIG weld try going way too fast and end up with a terrible weld. I did the same thing the first few times. Also keep the stick out of the wire around .25-.5". Once you find the right settings, speed, and technique you'll be good.

 

No I don't, but I could get one. Is it worth starting there versus a 120v?

 

The machine will cost you more but if you plan on staying with it and want to weld heavier material, yes. Some machines (like the Miller) will run 110v or 220v meaning you could wait on the electrical if you wanted to--and if it turns out it's not for you, selling wouldn't lose you too much money.

 

kk, good info, thank you. Right now, l can afford the Hobart, but if I want to go with the 110/220 Miller setup, will need to find it used or save a little longer.

Yea, I'd like to practice mainly, then get to where I could do my own exhaust or mount my own sliders or design my own bed rack. Nothing major, just things I'd rather try myself versus paying someone to do it.

Thanks for the info....

 

Search through weldingtipsandtricks.com for some great videos on welding. If you have an iPhone, get the miller welding app for some help with wire size and speeds.

 

Have you ever used a Millermatic 350P and pulse welded before? We build big projects in our highschool and take them to competitions and we use the 350Ps and thats what i learned on. They are pretty cool machines, i would like to try the lincoln version because im more of a lincoln person and prefer the SA 200 redface. good looking miller though!!

 

Any of you with a Tig welder at home what are you using? Also what size Breaker are you running? I'm adding an outlet to my garage and don't want to have to switch it later. I'm planning on doing a 30 amp 230v

 

The size breaker you run depends on the size machine you get. So just be sure the breaker is big enough for whatever you run.

 

I know but I'm trying to get an average. I saw some pull 50 amps but wasn't sure if that was common.

 

It's not uncommon if that's what you mean. Decide what unit you want then wire accordingly. If you install a 30A circuit, you're limited to any unit that is 30A or under meaning if the welder you choose requires 50A, you will have to re-wire (wire sizes are different for 30A and 50A circuits so you cannot just swap plugs).

Does that make sense?