what to get

admin

I'm going to  get  into welding... have some experience but  from years ago so would  basically be starting over. Would like to spend up to 2500$.I plan to eventually build my own aluminum enclosed trailer.  so need a welder that can weld from 0.030 to probably 1/4" aluminum.TIG or MIG???i'm looking at Miller Dynasty 200 , Syncrowave, 180 or 250, or millermatic 210 or pulser.  or the equivalent from lincoln.any help  steve
Reply:MIGing thin aluminum sucks. Anything smaller than 12 gauge, and you can forget it. It is a good process for 10g-1/4" tho. Certainly a lot faster than TIG, but it takes a lot of practice to get good fusion, even with spray, without melting it into a puddle. You could get a MM251 and a spool gun in your price range, but you arent going to be welding sheet aluminum with that rig. Also, it will have a nasty tendency for cold lap starts and hot stops. runoff tabs are very handy. If you are talking about welding the frames, it takes a lot of skill to MIG it, not sure it would be my recommendation as the primary process. On the TIG side, I'd recommend you also consider the ThermalArc ProWave 185. Its getting rave reviews, because it has a lot of the fancy adjustments of the big dog machines but comes in around 1500$. It certainly could handle the thicknesses you mentioned.
Reply:http://store.cyberweld.com/milmigwel.html  I pick up a mm251 here.....and if you need lots of wire check this out....     http://www.weldmartRobert D
Reply:try  this    http://www.weldmart.com/UNIWELD%20MIG%20WIRE%20SALE.htmRobert D
Reply:They build aluminum enclosed trailers up the road from my house. They use steel for the frames and skin it it aluminum. I think they are using some sort of rivits or rubber washer type screws to attach the aluminum. I have not looked that close. I have a friend that is a supervisor over there ,if you need I ll ask him more about the construction. I would think maybe a 210 for the frame and if you need the tig get the 185 Joe suggested. That would amount to close to $3000.00. Plus you'd need a few assories but you could do probably about anything then. DavidDavid
Reply:everbody, thanks for the repliestalked  with a dealer , he thinks the thermal arc 185 pro wave may be a bit small for 1/4" aluminum ???  Since can only afford one welder and want to stay with getting a tig / stick   I want to try to get  the best for what i can afford.  Another dealer suggested the Dnynasty 200 ??? but it seems its ouput is only around 150 amps  when operated on single phase... Am i understanding this right. seems the dealer are trying to sell what they have in stock. Hopefully i can get steered down the right path steve
Reply:If your going to weld 1/4" aluminum you could use a mig with a spool gun. You just can't weld light gauge aluminum with it. But with a 210 or 251 and a spoolgun, you could do the steel frame and a little heavier aluminum. The Dynasty is 150amps (tig side) at 60 % duty cycle. Its a 200 amp welder, just not for a long time. DavidDavid
Reply:This would do it perfect.It a little more,but use a standard gun with a teflon liner could work pretty well.It will weld as thin as you would need to go.To tell you the truth all three of these would work. Attached Images
Reply:wow scott nice set up, i am green with envy. i would recomend that you look into auctions, trader papers in your area. 2500.00 is a big nut. you could get a really good weekend shop going and pay it off the first year. you cannot go wrong with a syncrowave(miller) i use one all the time thats 20 years old. its a monster... we can repair aluminum cylinder heads to 22 gauge al. look for something that has a PULSE option(nice)  and quality power tools make any job that much easier.....
Reply:go get a millermatic 210 because almost everybody here will most like say mig because grannies can do mig!
Reply:yeah its easier to start off on a mig but it takes while to lay nice beads, dont knock mig welding..........
Reply:YO Scott V!How big is that roll of wire? That looks huge!
Reply:Originally posted by Ryel YO Scott V!How big is that roll of wire? That looks huge!
Reply:Thanks Scott for the suggestion on the power mig 300.  I've look and reviewed and studied till I'm blue in the face.  I'm leaning toward that  Lincoln Power Mig 300..  seems its around 3000$ or so which is more than i want to spend , but i'll sneak money from  somwhere.... I need to weld these  boxes from   1/8th" or 3/16th" plate aluminum. but wouldn't have the money for the high end push pull or spool gun.  Does any one has experience with the kit they sell for aluminum using the standard  push  gun it comes with . would this do for the aluminum boxes  until I can afford the push- pull  gun  or spool gun ???Steve
Reply:Originally posted by Scott V It's about a 30 pounder(12")It is the best way to buy wire because it is cheaper than the 10 pound rolls.
Reply:Originally posted by New Welder Can you stuff a 30 pounder into the PM300?