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Chris Nuzum (Cnuzum)
Member Username: Cnuzum
Post Number: 46 Registered: 02-2003
| Posted on Tuesday, September 02, 2003 - 08:03 pm: |
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Just checking out and concidering buying a welder. I have been concidering and used a Craftsman 140 mig welder. What types of welders are you guys using? Any thoughts or words of advice as to things to look for? Thanks. |
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David Woo (Davidwoo)
New Member Username: Davidwoo
Post Number: 35 Registered: 01-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 12:06 am: |
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Chris: used to work in a metal fab shop back in college. You need to think about a few things: 1. welding indoors or outside? 2. type of power available: 110v or 220v? 3. type of metal being welded: mild steel, aluminum, stainless, brass....? 4. thickness of material? The shop had numerous types of machines, simple stick welders for on-site work, spot welders for sheet metal fab, TIG (tungsten inert gas) for sst, brass with handheld welding rod and gas shielding, MIG (metallic inert gas) with continuously consumed electrode and gas shielding for mild steel. I also had my own shop after that and had a 220v millermatic self contained wire feed argon gas rig, very simple to use, did a great job. See the buyer's guide on the miller site: lots of helpful info. http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/ Don't know the craftsman rig you referenced: make sure the duty cycle is sufficient for the type of welding that you anticipate. Hope this helps. DW |
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marc olivares (Pugs)
Member Username: Pugs
Post Number: 145 Registered: 12-2002
| Posted on Wednesday, September 03, 2003 - 12:29 am: |
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chris, remember that welders are like any other tool, you get what you pay for. stick with Lincon and Miller, and you'll have a welder that will last your life time. i still have and use my fathers Lincoln stick unit from the 70's. what type of metal will determine what of type of welder. the thickness of the metal will determine the max. heat range. 220/240 volts are much more stable but require more amp draw and a 220/240 outlet. i have both the 120 and 220 type welders. the 120 is a great portable, but the 220 gets most of my time. a good welder will help you improve as a welder, and you will enjoy the experience far more with less frustration. marc |
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henk van dongen (Franseslag)
New Member Username: Franseslag
Post Number: 1 Registered: 09-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, October 01, 2003 - 03:09 am: |
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Chris, I guess it's true about you getting what you pay for. On the other hand, if you use it rather seldom a cheap tool might be nice as well. I have bought a welder on 220 volts, max. 140 Amp welding, just for some 50� (= +/- 50$) for 10 years ago. Using it around the house regular, but not daily, it still works fine. Henk |
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Brad Ashe (Vodkaman)
New Member Username: Vodkaman
Post Number: 32 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2003 - 04:01 pm: |
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I picked this one up earlier this week http://www.chpower.com/catalog/catalog_detail.asp Is this a good beginner welder? I got a discount on it 157.99 |
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Brad Ashe (Vodkaman)
New Member Username: Vodkaman
Post Number: 33 Registered: 10-2003
| Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2003 - 04:04 pm: |
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Well the link does not work try this http://www.chpower.com/product_showcase/product_overviews/welders.asp where the arrow saysshop welders catalog arrow down to stick welders I have the WS2800 |
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Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d
Post Number: 1034 Registered: 02-2002
| Posted on Thursday, November 27, 2003 - 04:13 pm: |
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For convenience and to avoid gases, you could pick up a Lincoln 135 mig/flux core wire feed. Its 110V @ 20 amps (if you want to weld 1/4" you need all 20 amps, not regular 15). It does up to and including 1/4" steel in a single pass. Its just a really nicely made machine, and its about $400 in Lowes. Dean |
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michael burt (Mikeyb)
Senior Member Username: Mikeyb
Post Number: 607 Registered: 03-2002
| Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 01:19 pm: |
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i just bought a lincoln 135, but i use gas with it. for my needs, it fit perfectly. low cost, simple to learn with, and has worked great so far. just remember to buy a lot of scrap of the same size you will be using for your real project. that way you can do test welds to get your amps and feed rate dialed in on stuff you can discard. i guess i was doing some reasonable beads after a day of practice... |
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Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d
Post Number: 1041 Registered: 02-2002
| Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 08:55 pm: |
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Michael - how thick are you welding with the gases on that machine? |
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michael burt (Mikeyb)
Senior Member Username: Mikeyb
Post Number: 608 Registered: 03-2002
| Posted on Saturday, November 29, 2003 - 11:46 pm: |
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i bought it to build my own roof rack, so my goals were pretty lightweight metals to begin with, but i have had success with 3/16"...i was planning to buy some 1/4" scrap to practice on...weld 'em and then cut 'em to see how much penetration the weld made. so, really, i am not taxing the machine too much yet...are you using a 135 too? mike |
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Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d
Post Number: 1048 Registered: 02-2002
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 09:46 am: |
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Yeah I got the 135. But I only use flux core wire, and it handles 1/4" easily in a single pass. As I said it uses all 20 amps though. With that wire the penetration is good and the welds that I tested were stronger than the surrounding metals. Makes a lot of splatter though! |
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michael burt (Mikeyb)
Senior Member Username: Mikeyb
Post Number: 609 Registered: 03-2002
| Posted on Sunday, November 30, 2003 - 12:14 pm: |
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yeah, but splatter, while it is flying, impresses the chicks! i have only had mine for a week or so and have worked only one project (the 3/16"), but i am pretty happy...price, performance...pretty happy.
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Keith Mitchell (Keith_indy)
New Member Username: Keith_indy
Post Number: 9 Registered: 12-2003
| Posted on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 11:48 am: |
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I have the Lincon 125 as well. Buy some scrap and practice first. I've welded bumpers, frame brackets, and a few other small things with it. |
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Jaime Crusellas (Jaime)
Member Username: Jaime
Post Number: 182 Registered: 05-2003
| Posted on Monday, January 05, 2004 - 09:44 pm: |
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I saw a Lincoln 100HD at home depot for $325. uses flux core wire, comes with a 4 inch spool of wire, 12% duty cycle, and says it will weld 1/4 inch steel. Anybody have any experience with this welder?
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Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d)
Senior Member Username: Deanbrown3d
Post Number: 1242 Registered: 02-2002
| Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2004 - 12:02 am: |
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Jaime - if you have a 20 amp outlet handy, get the Lincoln 135, it can easily do 1/4" in a single pass, and its worth the extra $75. And pick up a 10lb spool, they are around $40 I think, plus a pack of spare nozzels. And get the large area auto-dimming helmet from harbor freight, its better than anything in HD or Lowes. |