More which welder questions

admin

I just signed up for this forums but have been lurking for awhile. I want to buy myself a decent welder but I dont really know which type to buy.  I plan on doing some sheet metal, brackets and exhaust for my motorcycle. and some artsy stuff. I was looking at a lincoln promig 140 or power mig 140 for mig, or doing a O/A setup. Im curious about a stick/tig setup but have no clue about that stuff. ie lift start or scratch start?  how much I could get one for? and which is best? I dont really want to spend a ton of  money. I was thinking no more than $650. I can only really afford one set up. So a do all would be great. Any advice would be great Thanks  Cab
Reply:Myself if I was in your shoes..Get yourself a gas mig..Fluxcore is ok..but messy..Gas is much cleaner and I think you'll like the results..Just my 2 cents..The dime is at the shop  ...zap!I am not completely insane..Some parts are missing Professional Driver on a closed course....Do not attempt.Just because I'm a  dumbass don't mean that you can be too.So DON'T try any of this **** l do at home.
Reply:A mig welder is fun and easier for alot of things, but before you get one do you have an enclosed space with adequate ventilation? Or can you set up some kind of curtain outside that will prevent the sheilding gas from blowing away? If you decide that you want to try welding different materials at one time or another, or keep that option open, i suggest you get a stick welder with DC output and keep a variety of rods on hand, once you have the technique down for SMAW then it makes it easier to learn other processes. Keep some 6010 or 6011 around even just for tacking cause they are easy to start welding with. With mig welding there are so many variables, so many things that can go wrong and can tick a guy off if he cannot figure it out.Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:Hobart and Clarke both have MIG welders that fit your budget criteria. The HH140 is a great machine. The Clarke 130EN is another. Any other questions, just ask.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:I also have been looking at the Promig 140, it is gas capable, once a tank is added. Does anyone have this unit and can give some insight on it's performance?
Reply:Hi Cabber!   I am going to lean differently here. I believe if you are new to welding in general, an OAW/C set will prove most useful. It may not seem as flashy and quick as arc welding, but for general purpose, it has no rival. It will teach you how to control a puddle, which is fundamental. With a quick torch tip change, you can cut, bend, braze, heat. It is fair to say, strickly for welding, the gas shielded mig machines are very easy to get started with. I however started with a 230 amp a.c. stick welder I got on sale for about 110 bucks. Don't go the ac only stick welder route unless you really love frustration! If (and I mean when) you decide you want to try stick welding, get a machine that also does d.c.When it comes time to try tig, I hope you've got some good fundamental chops with Oxy Acetylene Welding! City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny