welder purchase advice

[killwhytey07]

I'm looking to buy a small welder to learn on, and I was wondering if 110 volt was worth anything? I found a used craftsman 110 volt welder for $125 and it seems like a much better deal than one for about $300 hundred at lowes. do these last, or are they junk? and also, how big a job can they do?

Opinions?

[xjkevin]

my first one was a lincoln pro mig 155, 110volt, and i did lots of little projects with it, actually i still do,

[The-Hurricane]

it all depends what your going to be welding. if its just small things and like easy stuff on your jeep then it should work fine. but if your thinking of welding some beams, for structural stuff, it wont penetrate deep enough i dont think, so dont go building a house with it. but you should be fine for learning on it. just my .02 im not a professional or anything

[Old Fart]

I started with a little Lincoln SP100T flux core welder, moved up to a 220V, 180A full blown with a bottle - then eventually bought another SP100T.

Very convienient to have around, as it can be tossed in the vehicle and taken almost anywhere, nice thing about house current (110-120V, depending) is that if you can find a beefy enough extension cord - you can take it all over the property.

Similar to what Hurricane said - don't try anything real "structural" (like a bumper with a winch on it), or much of anything past 1/8" (I know folks that have built 1/4" stuff with these - but they're pro's)

My _personal_ opinion? Buy something in the 100A range and stay flux core wire. Yes, you can get a 150A or so and add the bottle - but eventually you'll want a 175-200A if you really enjoy it.

[Roknxj]

My 2 cents worth of info.

First off are you talking about a mig or stick welder?

Second you can buy something small or you can save your money and buy a 160 or higher welder. HTP has a dual voltage welder for about $1000 DV = 120 and/or 240. A small welder will only do small work while a 220 welder will do small and larger work. It all depends on your preferance. This way you only spend the money once.

Think about it before you buy.




http://www.htpweld.com/products/mig_...mig_160dv.html

[Old Fart]

Dual voltage could be a good "stop gap" for someone that didn't have access to 220V - but bear in mind that it's only a 140A welder on 110V (and a 35% duty cycle too)

[jimmyrig]

get a tank, and have at it....Once you have mastered it Move on to a bigger one sell your old to curb the cost...Or just wait and get a 220v....but who like waiting

[The-Hurricane]

i hate not having a tank, the gas makes it so much easyer to weld, just my opinion, i also hate tig, im just not good at it

[killwhytey07]

Cost is definantly an issue here. And I'm defeinantly getting mig, just personal preferance. The one I was looking at was sold to someone else last night, so now I'm trying to get a miller 110 volt. Don't know how many amp, but should I pass if it ends up being less than 80 or so?

I'm not going to be fabricating frames with the welder, but I do plan on putting on a 1/8 inch steel bumper eventually. Think it will handle it?

Thanks for the replies, and if anyone has one they wanna unload, feel free to PM me!

[RAT]

OK let the arrows fly. Harbor Freight has a flux core, 115V 1 phase that works great for light jobs, and it's on sale. $129.00 perfect beginner machine.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=44567

Check it

Kurt

[killwhytey07]

Hey, sounds good to me. As long as it will weld, and last until I can afford a nice one I'm all for it. Thanks Rat Patrol!

Any opinions on this machine?

[Kodiak Spirit]

ya gotta start somewhere, I say git the HF welder and have at it...

BTW, I need some rocker rails fabbed up for my YJ....

[cannon]

In my opinion you want to stay away from flux core wire. I had a 110 machine and ended up converting it to gas before I up graded to the millermatic 210. The 110v machine is limited to 1/8 or so thickness but, you know that. The flux wire makes it so all the weld look spattery and messy. It is possible to clean them up with a wire wheel or grinder, but why if you don't have to. Have fun welding!!

[RAT]

In my opinion you want to stay away from flux core wire. I had a 110 machine and ended up converting it to gas before I up graded to the millermatic 210. The 110v machine is limited to 1/8 or so thickness but, you know that. The flux wire makes it so all the weld look spattery and messy. It is possible to clean them up with a wire wheel or grinder, but why if you don't have to. Have fun welding!!

Just pick up some cans of anti spatter. It comes in an aresol can, spray it on before you weld (spray it in the area of the weld) and it keeps the spatter from sticking. You can also use PAM. That's right, I said PAM. IT works. And I guarranty that with that welder you will have to run it on HIGH setting all the time. Unless you're welding cat food cans. I do agree that flux core ain't the best weld media to use, but if you're just learning it will be fine. ANd remember, no structural or steering components. Danger Danger...

Kurt

[killwhytey07]

Well I bought the welder for $119, but I also got a 2 year, 3 month warranty for 20 bucks, anything goes wrong I get a new one. That made it a lot easier to buy the off brand. Works pretty well, only has a minimum and maximum setting, but I'm happy with it. The flux core wire does splatter somethin fierce, but http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2539572 <this is what I'm learning on so no biggie. Oh yeah, I promise I won't be welding anything that has anything to with the saftey of me, or others. Scouts honor.

And by the way kodiak, I'd love to build you some rocker rails, that is if looks don't matter to ya! (first timer here)

Thanks for the input guys!