want to learn how to weld. ?'s

I'm learning as well. My gramps gave me a 110 lincoln, I think it can use gas since its mig.

He told me to lay a bead while he went inside real quick. With my effed up hearing I heard "lay a B"......so I layed down the letter B, which had a nice bead though lol.

And yes it is addictive, I'm not great at it but it makes you want to weld random things together.

 

sub'd

 

Big difference between the Hobart 140 and Miller 140? Pretty big price difference.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500500...S7SA/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1289332955&sr=8-3

MILLERMATIC 140

http://www.amazon.com/Miller-907335...WHKG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1289332955&sr=8-1

 

I will use flux core outside because of the wind. gas inside. neither is any cheaper, the only extra cost is your tank and the gas you put in it. there are vids out there but the best way to learn is by watching someone and having them tell you what you are doing wright or wrong..stick welding is the same and once you get good at it then you can try TIG

 

awesome thanks guys! I was checking some welding unit out and recognized an older Lincoln welder that my grandpa has. I will have to talk to him and see if he can teach me. I know he was in the construction business and did some welding in his days.

I am watching these 2 you tube videos right now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gpMEtZz2uYU&feature=channel

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy75q-QSIjI&feature=channel

 

I know, but the miller is nicer. The main differences I noticed were duty cycle, and the miller is just so much smoother where the lincoln would always kinda jam the wire into the piece your welding before actually striking the arc. I have no idea why it did that but we tried everything, even re-doing the ground clamp and it never changed.

edit: just noticed your not comparing the lincoln. I say go for the hobart, its a very nice welder for the price.

 

Yea, I think the Hobart is the route I will go. Can't really find anyone saying bad things about it when I look at reviews through different sites.

 

Is there anything to watch out for when buying used (like off Craigslist)? I know there is no way I will be able to drop $500+ on a welder. Craigslist has some decent ones on there for ok prices.

 

Good info here! Can't wait to have a place to do this!

 

so are arc welders not as good then for automotive applications? that's the only welding i have ever done.

 

An arc welder will be perfectly fine for automotive stuff.

Don't plan on doing sheet metal with it until you get good though.

The miller and hobart are basically the same. Miller owns Hobart and a lot of the parts are identical. Some of the hobarts parts may be cheaper made though like a plastic drive gear or something. But if something breaks after the warranty you can always replace it with the better miller part.

I have a HH210 and I love it.

Word of advice, take the biggest welder you think you will need and get at least the next biggest machine. It is worth the extra money to do so, otherwise you will be kicking yourself when you want to weld some 3/8" plate and your welder can barely do 1/4".

 

Also you will want to decide if you want flux core or gas. Flux core is better if you weld outdoors a lot in the wind and it also burns hotter, giving better penetration. Gas will give you a better looking, cleaner weld though

 

Stick welding is usually for thicker steel where heat is not an issue. we arc weld most of the time at work because its all big shit, but when working on thinner material mig or tig is better

 

That is exactly my fear........

 

Yeah, if you can I always recommend going with a 220v welder. If you don't have any available 220v circuits you can fabricate an extension cord to plug into your 220v dryer outlet if you have one.

Since I am an electrician out dated wiring is no match for me

 

Another thing the miller has that hobart doesn't is their auto set feature. To me it is not worth the extra cash though