What type welder should I buy?

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Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 03:02 am: Edit

For general alterations and fixing up the LR. I once used an arc welder, but it was a cheapy one and was absolutely crap. Should I get a tig? If so, what make / power / cost is about right?

TIA

Dean

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Carl E. Cedeholm (Cederholm) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 04:06 am: Edit

Hey Dean,
I sculpt in metal, (fine art) and a while back I picked up a small Linclon MIG. I've been very pleased with it, but it's not for heavy gauge metal, READ "would not weld D rings to frame" with it. But it's great for fix-it's or custom rack or mount fabrication. I'd let you try it out but it's in my shop in Boston, and as you know I'm not.

Cheers
Carl
PS "Hello" to Deb for me

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Moe (Moe) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 04:35 am: Edit

I recently used and relearned how to weld with the Millermatic 130XP, borrowed from a friend. This is a 120v system and is rated to weld 3/16" but does 1/4" in small sections. Very easy to operate and compact. I did notice that power suffered at times, but if you are not doing heavy stuff the 120v should be fine. This is the system that I want to buy.

The fella at this site makes a good point about the Miller having a metal wirefeed compared to the Lincoln's plastic one. He also links to a vendor with fair prices.

http://home.pacbell.net/jdismuk/millermatic.html

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Scott Tschantz (Scott) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 07:13 am: Edit

Dean Buying a good tig can be very expensive then there is the different type of gases you will need He/AR and the torch a watter supply. Get a good Arc welder. Harbor Freight has a Hobart stickmate 235 for 420.00 including shipping and they have many others on their web site

hope this helps
Scott

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Kyle on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 07:25 am: Edit

I am going with Hobart as well. If you get a stick welder get a good one. The cheap ones pretty much suck and leave a bad impression on you. I have one of the big Hobart Migs and its done me right for years.

Kyle

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 11:33 am: Edit

Thanks guys.

Actually, I have to LOL because I have now narrowed it down to Stick, Tig or Mig! Are there any others?

I really fancy a tig welder, but the prices are like $1500, and that's not on.

Has anyone used the kind sold in HomeDepot for about 4-500? They are supposed to be Tig, but I am not sure if they are really tigs or some bullshit advertising scam.

Dean

Ps anyone got Tig going cheap?

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Kyle on Friday, October 05, 2001 - 01:52 pm: Edit

HAve you run a tig before Dean ? A good one is $$$ and just cause you spent $$$$ on a good one doesnt really mean it will be of any use to you. Tigs are very nice in the right hands , in the wrong hands they are as affective as a coat hanger , some wire and a few car batteries.... :)

Kyle

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Saturday, October 06, 2001 - 05:24 am: Edit

Kyle,
I only ran an arc welder. Seemed such a PITA. I have seen a tig in action, and it did a stonking job, but I hear its also a PITA to get used to. I don't know, I just feel like trying a new thing.

Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of pageLink to this message   By Dean Brown (Deanbrown3d) on Saturday, October 06, 2001 - 05:30 am: Edit

One issue is that, as part of my home business, I will have to buy a tig welder one day anyway. I need to melt powdered iridium metal into small balls (iridium shot), and the tig machine is the ONLY way to do this. I already did this back in college - even an oxyacetylene torch couldn't melt the damn stuff! mp = 2500 celcius.

That's the only reason why I would consider such a machine.

Dean


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