my inexpensive welder experience.

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now I know why certain welders are cheap. while welding yesterday, was trying to adjust the amps, when the knob came off. when I looked at the cause, the part of the knob that's screwed onto the adjusting arm broke. at first I was thinking of putting some jb weld on it. but I wasn't sure if it would hold up. so I figured this would give me some more welding practice. I found a piece of rod and welded a new handle on it. at first I was a little apprehensive, not knowing if I would damage the welder or electrocute myself. I also had to replace the switch a few weeks back. here's a picture of the welder with the improvised handle and the original handle sitting on top of the machine.
Reply:Originally Posted by bikercatnow I know why certain welders are cheap. while welding yesterday, was trying to adjust the amps, when the knob came off. when I looked at the cause, the part of the knob that's screwed onto the adjusting arm broke. at first I was thinking of putting some jb weld on it. but I wasn't sure if it would hold up. so I figured this would give me some more welding practice. I found a piece of rod and welded a new handle on it. at first I was a little apprehensive, not knowing if I would damage the welder or electrocute myself. I also had to replace the switch a few weeks back. here's a picture of the welder with the improvised handle and the original handle sitting on top of the machine.
Reply:That is what vise grips are for
Reply:I have tested the old axiom, "You get what you pay for." many times.  I have found it is correct every time SteveLincoln SA200 (1966 Redface)Lincoln IdealArc 250Steve1990 Miller Dialarc 2501993 Miller Maxstar 140 STR2015 Lincoln MP2101966 Lincoln SA200 Redface
Reply:I have had knobs break on blue machines too. Needle nose vice grips have a pointer on them when you close them,
Reply:i have seen basic transformer welder for $20. basically it is a transformer to wire to 240 volts extension cord and wire welding ground clamp and electrode holder and screw where you got desired amperage then you plug it in. it has about 6 to 10 different wire lug spots for the different weld amp settings. when you want to change you unplug it and use a screwdriver or wrench to loosen wire lug and move to different wire terminal spot for different amp setting. then plug it back in and start welding again.it comes with no case. the bare wires you can touch with you fingers it you want to. most times it is put on a block and big rock to keep out of the mud
Reply:Hey, at least yours has a pointer. In some parts of the world, that's "high tech."
Reply:Originally Posted by KelvinHey, at least yours has a pointer. In some parts of the world, that's "high tech."
Reply:Originally Posted by SparkieI have tested the old axiom, "You get what you pay for." many times.  I have found it is correct every time SteveLincoln SA200 (1966 Redface)Lincoln IdealArc 250
Reply:Originally Posted by SparkieI have tested the old axiom, "You get what you pay for." many times.  I have found it is correct every time SteveLincoln SA200 (1966 Redface)Lincoln IdealArc 250
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomB.i have bought expensive machines and learned the hard way a 3 year warranty goes by quick. obviously any company who says they make a quality machine should have at least a 10 year warranty to back it up. talk is cheap.3 year warranty really says they expect machine to NOT last very long cause they know they make junk to me.
Reply:Originally Posted by John TIsn't the HF welder a 90 day warrantee?LoLSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by arcflashI have had knobs break on blue machines too. Needle nose vice grips have a pointer on them when you close them,
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomB.i have seen in better condition similar waders. you literally unplug and connect welding electrode to different wire terminal when you want different amperage, ones i saw were in $20 to $30 price range. 240 plug and cord, electrode holder and ground clamp and welding cables were extra so might cost $50 to start welding
Reply:Originally Posted by bikercatHoly cow, that looks like a phone book with cables wrapped around it. is that something that some one put together in a third world country?
Reply:TomDid you grow up in China?You seem very educated on all things Chinese. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMiller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:Originally Posted by John TTomDid you grow up in China?You seem very educated on all things Chinese. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:more pictures typical Chinese stores in 2000 Attached Images
Reply:shipyard down the road.ship being made is about 7 stories tall and holds 1024 sea containers. being made every 4 months.the machine shop areas were huge i am guessing 10 to 100 bigger than anything i ever saw before..my point is many people for months thought no manufacturing was around but then you go down the road and then see big factories Attached Images
Reply:As you knowThe general American consensus considers basically anything built Chinese to be junkSo I am wondering how the Chinese feel about Chinese made productsDo Chinese professional weldors only use Chinese welders?Or do some of them prefer the blue or red brand?Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkMiller 211Hypertherm PM 451961 Lincoln Idealarc 250HTP 221  True Wisdom only comes from Pain.
Reply:Originally Posted by John TAs you knowThe general American consensus considers basically anything built Chinese to be junkSo I am wondering how the Chinese feel about Chinese made productsDo Chinese professional weldors only use Chinese welders?Or do some of them prefer the blue or red brand?Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Reply:Originally Posted by WNY_TomBi got the opinion German and Japanese machines are highly respected. Not much stuff from USA ever seen at all. 10 to 100 times more likely to see German, Japanese, Tiawanese
Reply:i saw a lot of window and door railings made in China. Stainless tubing about .040 thick. tig welded, cut with abrasive saw on the ground and small drill press on the ground in 1 car size garage shop, also stick welding often done.a lot of stick welding for steel reinforced concrete buildings being built. basically they build a lot of condo's where people own a part of building.many times welding machine and tools are in a 5 gallon plastic bucket. easily moved to sidewalk where welding is being done. larger welding machines maybe only used in a shipyard where big stuff being made
Reply:Originally Posted by John TInteresting.I wonder if this is due to availability.