Another Newbie Question

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 16:41:34 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for Another Newbie Question

Looking to get into welding just as a hobby.  I have done a little mig and torch welding, not enough to really know what would be a good "starter" welder.  I have been looking a HF welders just because this is going to be a hobby.  What do you guys know about this one?http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=94056If there is something that would be better for a beginner please let me know.I was also wondering where do most of you get your metal for these projects, and will they cut the metal for you?  Just trying to get a feel for what all I will need to get started.  Thanks for the help.
Reply:My personal opinion, those HF welders are junk.  I would save a little more money and get a good name brand machine, and maybe one with a little more power.  I'd look more along the lines of a hobart handler 140 or something comparable, but thats just my opinion..  As far as metal.. I buy mine from a local steel company called Pal Steel.  Don't buy this stuff from big box stores, you'll pay way too much.  My supplier will cut stuff for me so I can get it into my truck or on my trailer, but I do all of my finish cuts.Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:Thanks for the help Dan.  As I understand it you can run the self-shielded flux wire without gas, is that what most guys do?
Reply:I think you would better serve yourself by getting the gas shielded unit instead. One of the obstacles to your learning will be the flux. It will hinder your ability to read the puddle. It will also use more of your duty cycle to use flux core since it requires more heat to do the same job as a gas shielded weld. At this time I must agree with PilotDan and tell you a better machine is an investment, where Harbor Freight tools are tools just to get by with.As for cutting equipment, you need a chop saw. Again, the ones at Harbor Freight will get by with, but it will not last. A quality name is an investment in your home shop. Notice that I do not use HF to describe the place. HF to all of us here means High Frequency.Bill LambertArgon WeldingABQ NMSic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc
Reply:I'll join the chorus and suggest that you look into a name brand machine.Hobart, Lincoln and Miller all make nice units that will fit your needs.You don't have a location shown, but I'm guessing that there is a Craig's List city near you, so get lookin'. Rex
Reply:Good point Bill, HF can be a confusing term.  As far as flux cored wire vs shielding gas..  It depends on what you're planning on doing with the machine.  If you are going to be welding outside regularly, then flux cored wire is good (wind will blow away the shielding gas).  I prefer using shielding gas whenever possible.  It creates a cleaner finished product with less effort.  As far as cutting goes, I primarily use a Milwaukee abrasive cut off saw.  It works pretty good and isn't to expensive (I think they're around $100 to $150 or something like that).  Its not the best method, but it works for me for now.  Someday I'll get something better though.  By the way, if money is an issue..  I would get a decent welder first, then worry about adding shielding gas to it later.  You can always start with flux cored wire and then switch to solid wire and get a tank of shielding gas and a regulator when you have more cash.Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:You're looking for a MIG but consider this:At my Local Weld Shop, they had a Thermal Arc 95S for $275 on sale.
Reply:Hey AV8TOR,If you are considering a HF MIG unit, you would be much better off with the 171T & it's on sale. I know a fellow who is also a hobby weldor & uses this unit for the steel crafts he makes & uses it 3-4 times/wk & has had no issues. I helped him set it up for both gas(C25) & flux-core. It will weld 1/4" with no problem & he has done some 5/16" that did fine. He wanted to keep his expenses down a bit & still get something that would fill his needs. So far, it has paid for itself with the crafts he makes & sells. You can also keep an eye on Craigslist for a name brand like Miller or Lincoln, as I picked up a Miller 130A for $125 last year. Don't be in a real hurry.....check out some pawn shops if there are any in your area. Hope this helps a bit. Good luck......       Dennyhttp://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=93793Complete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Coolcat,That Thermal ARC unit is a Chinese machine...Its good, but thought you might like to know, since there is an anti china flavor in the air.Esab Migmaster 250Lincoln SA 200Lincoln Ranger 8Smith Oxy Fuel setupEverlast PowerPlasma 80Everlast Power iMIG 160Everlast Power iMIG 205 Everlast Power iMIG 140EEverlast PowerARC 300Everlast PowerARC 140STEverlast PowerTIG 255EXT
Reply:for the price of that toy hf machine, you will find a good used tombstone(transformer style)   stick welder that will give you much better service and performance.
Reply:Often times, you can get a Miller or Hobart or Lincoln small mig welder used for about what those chinese junk welders cost new.  Check your local Craig's List online classifieds.  Click www.craigslist.org, then choose your nearest local metro area and search for 'welder' in the for sale section.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Originally Posted by lugweldCoolcat,That Thermal ARC unit is a Chinese machine...Its good, but thought you might like to know, since there is an anti china flavor in the air.
Reply:Might be an older machine, lottsa Japanese built stuff that was pretty good, is now made in China."Any day above ground is a good day"http://www.farmersamm.com/
Reply:It is a 2006 model, I purchased it in late 2005.  We already had a discussion about this and it was found that other folk's newer model Thermal Arc machines were also still made in Japan as is mine.   Those of us who own the machines can easily look on our machines and find out where they are made.  Everyone else is speculating. Now on that little 95 amp entry level basic machine, I do not know where that is made.  We were talking about the TA models that most of us here use, which are a little further up the model line than that one.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:Thanks for the advice guys, after many hours of deep thought I went out and got a Lincoln today
Reply:Congrats!! You can't go wrong with a lincoln!  Esab TradeMaster TorchSmith AW1A Airline TorchLincoln AC/DC 225/125Millermatic 252 w/ Spoolmatic 15aThermal Arc 190 GTSSpeedGlas 9100v
Reply:I just got into welding last year so I know where you're coming from! Congrats on your new lincoln machine, which model did you get? I started off with a Miller Millermatic 140, it works pretty well on mild steel under 3/16" thick. Just picked up a Powermig 215 Lincoln box over the weekend too. Originally Posted by AV8TORI was also wondering where do most of you get your metal for these projects, and will they cut the metal for you?  Just trying to get a feel for what all I will need to get started.  Thanks for the help.
Reply:I ended up going with the Lincoln Weld Pak 125 HD.  I'm sure I will end buying a bigger one down the road but this should do me fine to start with.  I played with it tonight and enjoyed every second.