Anything welding

There are some antiquing products that might give you texture as well. Gun bluing is another way. Some might involve heat and what not though.

 

Seems close to the new price. If you paid a little less, you could get a brand new one with warranty. Maybe with the tank it'd be a good deal...idk.

 

Some 7018AC on some 1/4. Did very little prep as I was trying to make it as "realistic" to doing a trail weld as possible.




The buzzbox. $100 craigslist score. Was barely used before I had it. Bought it to run off my generator to do trail repairs.

I also have a Hobart 187 Handler MIG I do most of my work with, just find it a new challenge to stick weld.

 

Anyone have any input on Eastwood welders? All the reviews on them look solid. They have a package deal for $1,000 for a welder and plasma cutter or just the welder for $550...Seems like a really good deal....almost too good to be true....

 

i just found an eastwood 135 on craigslist with a cart, some wire, small gas tank (full), mask, and gloves. used for about an hour. wants $575. i say go for it although i have no idea what they more experienced welders on here will say. im wondering if 575 for what i found is good or if i should offer lower.

also wondering if that would be a good choice since where i would be welding would be garages that are partially open because i cant fit the truck all the way inside as well as outside where i would use flux core anyway. should i just go flux core and not bother with gas in my case?

 

Hey guys. I've been taking welding at a Tech school and am in my second semester. I've taken 2 stick and 1 MIG welding course and am taking another stick class this semester along with a Fab class and a few other classes. I haven't TIGed yet.

When I started my first semester I bought a passive shade helmet for the economy and I thought it would be good to not be dependent on the autodim if I ever got in a situation that I had to use a passive. It definitely took some getting used to but I'm glad I started out with it. Now I want to buy a good autodim that will get me through the rest of my schooling and into a job. I've been looking at the Lincoln Viking 3350 but I am open to suggestions.

What would you guys buy for less than $250?
What do I need to look for other than number of sensors and how fast it is?

I know cheap helmets headgear will break after time. I want this helmet to make setting up in this fabrication class easier. Do you guys think it will be worth the investment?

 

I know alot of professional welders that really like the Harbor freight one for only $50 bucks.. I have it and love it too! its works great!
And they last a good while too. But if ever does break its not like its a super exspensive to replace.

 

I'm looking for something with a durable shell and good headgear. Harbor Freights filters might do the trick but I'm looking for something with good clarity and that will last. I was looking at this ArcOne with a 3 year warranty.
http://www.arc1weldsafe.com/visions.html
I would buy the X540V with 4 sensors and a large viewing area. Anybody use this brand?

 

I really like my Sperian Optrel E680. Might be a hair out of your price range, I think retail is around $275 but its a great helmet. Can possibly be found on ebay or Amazon for cheaper
I've used mine daily for over 2 years without issue and never regretted it. Good viewing area, lots of adjustably and durable. Quite light weight too.

 

I was looking at the Optrel too. From what I've heard the color of the filter is bluish instead of the green that most autodims are. Supposed to be great for viewing the puddle. My only problem is the clear cover plates are about $5 apiece and would have to be ordered where I am. Its not a huge issue but a helmet that uses a standard size cover plate would be a plus

 

I have a Miller that I really like. I would like to try something with a gold lens too.

 

give a local supplier a call and ask about scrap, Alan steel has a large yard filled with scrap iron.

Sounds like a patina is what you want, if you want specifics send me a pm.
T

This also.

Autodim is great, especially when taking and doing short beads. But if you want clarity nothing beats a gold fixed filter. I'm not a welder but a fabricator so I'm not welding all day, just here and there, my go to is my fixed shade with 8, 10 and 13 shades. But if I'm putting down a bunch if tacks I'll use a speedglas, works well.

 

I'm a student and I am constantly going from MIG to stick and soon TIG as well. It would be nice to not have to swap filters in a fixed shade. I don't necessarily have a problem with the Jackson fixed shade I have right now. I keep a shade 11 in it and it does the job. I'd just like to have the adjustability to find what I like for each application quickly. And I'm sure striking an arc exactly where I want it would be alot easier with an autodim.

I heard from somewhere that MIG is pretty unforgiving and its true. When you pull the trigger its laying down metal whether you have it where you want it or not.

I have looked at so many helmets I don't know what to do now. Right now my list consists of:
Lincoln Electric Viking 3350 for about $200
ArcOne Vision X540V for about $200
Jackson Safety TrueSight for $300
Jackson Safety Nexgen HaloX Heavy Metal for $325
Jackson Safety Boss for about $285

 

Your right stick can be a bitch with a fixed shade, mig really isn't bad, you can rest the wire where you want to start. 90% of my welding is tig, welding mild or SS so a 10 works, i hardly have to change unless I'm welding brass or pewter. But it sounds like you'll need something adjustable. My advice try as many as you can and find the most comfortable. You want something with good headgear and light, it gets old real quick having a brick on your head lol.

 

Agreed. With tig I actually don't mind the passive for tacking too, I just rest the tungsten in the joint, flip the hood down, then pull it off the work piece a little and go for it. I can't go back to a green lens now.

 

Assuming they make the gold filters the same as any other reflective plastic lens, do you worry that scratches, etc. will cause UV problems over the long term?

 

I do, the lens I'm currently using is getting pretty rough so I'm going to replace it. Luckily the lenses are dirt cheap.

 

As long a your careful changing them out they shouldn't get scratched.

 

Mine has no guard on it I know, I need a new hood.