Anything welding

I'm in need of a welder. I'm tired of paying a shop for simple projects that I know I could do. Ideally I'd want to be around $1k all in budget for a machine and needed supplies. I have access to 240v. I don't really plan on tackling huge jobs, but mainly things like repairing trailers, welding sliders onto the truck, and hopefully a DIY front bumper. If it could weld thin aluminum, it would be a plus. I've welded very little, but I want something that I wont have to get rid of after a couple of years. Suggestions on machines and bare necessities to get me started?

 

I am assuming you want a MIG machine?

- Figure 500-600 for a decent machine. Something like a Hobart 140 or a Harbor Freight Titanium MIG 170
- ~$100 +/- for a decent welding helmet. The HF Vulcan (at $150) does get pretty good reviews. But there are decent options in the ~75 range too
-~100 for misc consumables (tips, wire, ect)
- GAS if you want to go to shielded instead of flux core. Its going to vary depending where you live and by bottle size. But figure somewhere in the 100-200 range.
- Do you already have a grinder? If not youll need one (or two or three)

You CAN do aluminum with a MIG machine but you will need to buy a spool gun to do it. Which is generally another ~150-200 bucks (depending on brand)

 

14 each, am I insane or are they?

1/2 in plate

 

I assume MIG is what I would want? I'm not entirely sure of the difference between it and TIG...I know I'm not really wanting a stick, but not sure what would work well for my applications.

I've had my eye on the Hobart 140, but didn't know if it would be large enough. I've looked at the HF Titanium and Vulcan, but didn't know if they would be quality compared to Hobart/Lincoln/Miller. Didn't know I could do aluminum with MIG, so that's a plus!

Already have a grinder, so that's one cost I can save on right now. But may have to invest in more grinding wheels haha

 

So do you need my address or do I have to pick up my dice?

 

For your applications? MIG would be what I would recommend. TIG can have a lot more control but also takes more practice. And cleaning of parts. For a home guy MIG is a good choice. It is considered the "hot gluing" of the welding world lol.

The vulcan/titanium have gotten good reviews from those using them. The biggest issue would be if you did encounter an issue you pretty much have to go back to a HF store and exchange the unit. But out of all the people Ive seen using them, havent really heard of many issues. Hobart is pretty ironed out since its been around awhile. If you do have an issue you can usually find a Miller/Hobart dealer close by to go to for help. Not saying they will have the part but can usually order it in.

 

I got an AHP 201XD a few years ago when it first came out. It continues to work flawlessly. I'm just an amateur welder, but I can produce great welds with it. I think the newer XD has pulse speed control that the 200X did not. Not certain. My machine came with a 3yr warranty. The best feature of these machines is the rated duty cycle, 60% @ 200amps. It's got a lot of headroom. The HF pulse feature is magical for SS. It's almost like soldering... my 201XD welds Al amazingly smoothly.

I think your offer will need to depend on what it comes with. The stock torch is meh, the stock footpedal blows. If it comes with a better aftermarket foot pedal, you're looking at a $150 upgrade you don't need to do. If it comes with better lenses, you're also saving money. Make sure the argon line doesn't leak at the output, connector some did.

I don't think 300-350 would be a bad deal. Those machines don't appear on the used market that frequently.

Edit: I'm way behind, you got the welder, congrats!

 

Thank you for the well thought out post, I greatly appreciate it! It came with the stock torch and foot pedal so I will have to see how I like those. I haven’t had a chance to lay any welds yet with it. I’m just a hobby welder so I’m sure it will be a great machine for me to work with.

 

Awesome. It's good practice and you can keep the dice instead of just practicing on scrap metal to be thrown away.

 

I have the Titanium 170. Bought it this summer and had never welded before. I'm using it with gas and absolutely love it. Between the welder, gas tank and welding helmet, I was $1000 in.

 

After doing a little looking today, I'm leaning more towards Hobart. It's more costly, but the warranty is better and from what I understand parts should be easier to get. Really leaning towards the Handler 190 because it's not much more than the 140. Considering the 210MVP, but I'm trying to decide if its worth busting my budget. My gut feeling is the 210 will be way over kill that I likely would never need, and the extra money compared to the 190 could be used to buy a tank and shield.

 

Always get the most juice you can afford.

 

Paid a guy to weld d rings on my new trailer

 

So went to the welding shop yesterday, good news, I'll be getting a renewed 3yr warranty along with the new 205 Rebel.

Guess I'll keep it, instead of trying to find something in another brand or have to get two machines etc.. Technically I don't "need" pulse AC or a water cooled torch. Guess you can rig a water cooled torch up somehow, but whatever.

It's possible I had issues with mine bc it was from the first batch run. At least that's the word at the welding shop.

 

Thanks for this posting.

It only reassures my thoughts on "more is not better". I have never been a fan of multi purpose machines and I think you are starting to see that may be the case with yourself.

I hope you never have anymore issues with the welder. A welder should never have these kinds of problems.

You have more faith in the machine than I do. If it was my machine, I'd have that listed for sale by the end of the day and be shopping for a completely different brand.

 

Yeah, I could be pushing my luck keeping it, maybe I should go the two machine route... I'm hoping that they've worked the bugs out and it'll be fine.

I'm honestly not up on things in the world of welders. I've heard that sometimes high frequency boards can sometimes be finicky, but that's about all I know and that's just what I've heard so I don't really "know it".

So anyone feel free to school me on what is normal and to be expected.

 

Did my first CMC yesterday and really happy with how it turned out. The pre-cut plates from BAMF made it really straightforward.









Now I’m ready for 33s and Ray 10s next week!

 

I will agree with the lower cost multi process machines the normal type hobby welder might purchase always seem lacking in general.

Then if you have never used anything better you will never notice to you do .

Kirk Welcome to the real World Problems like with this board on the Esab do happen The bad thing is when it is out of Warranty even worse when parts go obsolete on a 8 year old machine

 

Question for the guys running plasma cutters, can anyone recommend a decent air dryer to use in a home shop with a 22 gallon compressor?

Just started a new job working mostly remote and they supplied me with a $24k leak detection test tool that requires clean dry shop air so I want to put something on my compressor so I don't accidentally kill this thing. Gonna make work pay for it but need to figure out what to order. Figure probably some kind of desiccant dryer.

Figure someone here might have a suggestion since plasmas need clean dry air.

 

22 gallon is not going to work unless you are only cutting very small pieces.