Anything welding

made some stairs.

Still have to do the railing and patina the whole thing.

 

If I were to get a 220v welder and have to run the line to a 110v converter (live in an apartment) would I experience any issues?

 

If you're drawing power from a 110 system, you're never going to be able to pull the power necessary to run a 220 welder.

 

This.

But if you're welding in an apartment I doubt you will be needing 220v. One of our tig machines can be run off both, for light stuff 110 works well. We also have a couple 110 migs and they run fine, if you plan on welding plate just bevel the edges and you'll be fine.

 

I was looking at the Miller 211 since its got a plug for pretty much anything. I want to be able to get 3/16" plate together on 110. Can this be accomplished? Appreciate the help!

 

nothing crazy

 

yes, get a high quality machine though. the eastwood 135 i have is rated to 3/16 but from what ive read is producing solid welds at 1/2 though i dont think i would trust it to that thickness

 

miller 211 is solid. You can always preheat it, or do multiple passes.

 

my last project just before paint


just picked up from paint



just after install

 

Nice job!

 

Hey quick question. is there a welding rod that would allow to make a good weld between aluminum and stainless or steel?

 

Nope!
Unfortunately you can't directly bond dissimilar metals effectively. Bolting them together is about the only practical way that I know of. I believe there are some hi-tech epoxies that will do the job as well, but that may or may not be practical depending on the application for the part

 

well sumbitch... alright thanks man

 

What do you need to bond them together for?

I would probably buy one of these over the miller's myself:
http://www.victortechnologies.com/index.php/thermalarc/news/493.html
http://store.cyberweld.com/tharc186...383674696777&gclid=COqD7uyItLUCFYFxQgodayoA3A

 

Im trying to find a way to tac a steerer tube to an aluminum fork on my mtn bike. i know its frowned upon but its just a temporary fix until i can afford a new fork altogether. i went by a local shop and he had a rep some by with a rod that he said welded stainless and bronze together and was pretty damn solid. so i was just curious. i may just end up throug bolting it for the time being. ill just have to take it much easier on her haha.

 

I remember reading about a brazing process that you can do to one of the metals that would then allow you to weld them. However, it sounded like a ton of work when, like you said, just bolting them together would be easier and probably just as strong.

...but there is a way

 

All I run in my shop is Thermal Arc!
I've got 2 of their MIG machines, a 3 year old 210 Fabricator that I've used daily for building armor and its never let me down.
I also recently purchased a 211i Mig/tig/stick combo welder from them and have been using it pretty much constantly since I bought it (I've gone through 50+lbs of wire in it) back in december. It has been flawless for me so far as well.
I've ran a lot of millers(I learned on Millers actually) but I like the thermal arc's better. More bang for your buck, and a good warranty on them as well. Plus they're owned by victor technologies so pretty much any welding shop has access to them. They've proven reliable in my constant shop use of them, and I feel like I can dial the machine and lay better welds than with the millers I've run in the past.
I've ran an old Miller 150, a 210, 251, 252, 211 as well as a high end 350p mig, and I've ran their old AC/DC econotig machine as well. My favorite miller I ran was the 252, but still I'll take my thermal arc's over the millers when it comes down to it.

 

Thanks man! It was quite the project

 

I second relentless's notion on thermal arcs

 

Dito on the Thermal Arc's. I have owned there plasma cutters for over 15 years and they are by far the best plasma out there. They were the ones to come out with them first. I am looking at getting the same one Eric recommended from cyberweld.
They have this one on sale right now. http://store.cyberweld.com/tharc186acti.html