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Hi everyone, another know-nothing noob looking for advice. I appreciate your time to respond.I want to weld on a couple of 20' 14000lb. utility trailers, but after paying a local guy $50 to do a small job, it occurs to me that I might invest in a small rig and do it myself. Never welded in my life, but have seen it done many times. Thinking that a stick welder is my best bet. I'd say the local shop will charge me about $500. How much more than that might it cost me to buy a used machine and accessories/supplies to do these jobs myself? I'm not messing with anything structural on the trailers, just repairing rails, bed retainers, replacing a jack, etc. Even if it costs me a little more and I get a machine out of it, I'm ahead. I bought this trailer used and someone has already butchered it up a bit. I can't weld any worse than they did.r
Reply:A stick welder has a pretty steep learning curve. A Mig welder will be easier to learn.Dont pay any attention to meIm just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:It's great you want to do the repairs yourself but you can watch 1000 videos and read every book ever written on welding but until you strike an arc, you'll have no idea. It's not like carpentry where you can get step by step instructions and just follow them. Welding takes practice, lots of practice to get good at and continual practice to keep your skills up. You could probably get what you need for $500 but consider taking a welding course first to see what you're up against. You can't just buy a welder and go to work. If you know someone who's a welder that could help teach you is the best.
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveIt's great you want to do the repairs yourself but you can watch 1000 videos and read every book ever written on welding but until you strike an arc, you'll have no idea. It's not like carpentry where you can get step by step instructions and just follow them. Welding takes practice, lots of practice to get good at and continual practice to keep your skills up. You could probably get what you need for $500 but consider taking a welding course first to see what you're up against. You can't just buy a welder and go to work. If you know someone who's a welder that could help teach you is the best.
Reply:Will a MIG weld steel that thick? Why do the guys I've paid use stick instead? Is one cheaper to buy/use than the other?
Reply:Hey! If you are not doing anything like a critical weld on the trailer, go for it! Since you don't have any welding experience-I would go for a small mig unit using flux core wire. No good reason to go with a mig unit with gas and regulator until you figure out if you can weld. Go to your local Home Depot, or Lowes, and check out there small welders. They go for less than $500. every day.Try running beads on some scrap metal. Then decide where you want to go. The idea of some local welding classes is right on! Learn the basics-go from there!
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldoradoWill a MIG weld steel that thick?
Reply:Originally Posted by Weldorado Even if it costs me a little more and I get a machine out of it, I'm ahead.
Reply:Originally Posted by DSWIt doesn't work that way.
Reply:This is a real eye-opener. Thanks so much. For the most part, all I have are a few tack welds that don't support any significant weight. Those should be good practice. But, I also want to add some stake pockets and replace the integrated jack, which would require a professional weld.Be assured, gentlemen, that I'm not going to screw up my trailer or make it unsafe. I will back off and pay a welder before I do that. And it may be that I can't even justify the investment to get started welding myself, especially if the time/cost to learn is excessive.I think what I might do is investigate the learning curve first. If I can find a way to get up to speed without too much cost, I might next go rent a machine at Home Depot for a day and see how it goes.
Reply:Sooo, I'm thinking it took you a couple of weekends before you could weld like that? Nice work, sir.
Reply:That's always my attitude - Go for it! Up to the point that financial or safety risks make it idiocy.
Reply:Oops, just realized I should be "replying with quote" so y'all know who I was talking to. Appreciate all the advice.
Reply:Originally Posted by WeldoradoSooo, I'm thinking it took you a couple of weekends before you could weld like that? Nice work, sir.
Reply:theres nothing wrong with investing in a hobby.. and thats how you have to look at it..do what welding you can safley and leave anything questionable to the pros, and in time as your skill improves take it from there, but once you get a welder you will find LOTS of little projects to do and have fun doing them...Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it...
Reply:Originally Posted by Welder DaveIt's great you want to do the repairs yourself but you can watch 1000 videos and read every book ever written on welding but until you strike an arc, you'll have no idea. It's not like carpentry where you can get step by step instructions and just follow them. Welding takes practice, lots of practice to get good at and continual practice to keep your skills up. You could probably get what you need for $500 but consider taking a welding course first to see what you're up against. You can't just buy a welder and go to work. If you know someone who's a welder that could help teach you is the best.
Reply:Reason it costs $$ to pay someone to do it. Because it's hard. If it was easy, everyone would be doing it. I'm an Auto mechanic by trade. I prob have $20k plus in tools. This is like saying you have never turned a wrench, but got a tool kit for $100 at Harbor Freight to rebuild the engine and transmission in your car cuz the pro wants several thousand to do it for you. Doesn't look too hard, you watched them do it on TV a bunch of timesTiger Sales: AHP Distributor www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P, Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma. For Sale: Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun. Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Couple stories to share...been welding a few things here and there for a buddy of mine over the years. Then one day he asks if I have a spare helmet cause he just bought a buzzbox off craigslist and he's got a bunch of welding to do. Ok, so I gave him the helmet to borrow. The next week he sells welder and helmet on craigslist complaining the rod kept sticking and he couldn't do it.The other story....I'm in art class. Instructor says here is the rod, here is the holder, over there is the welder. Then he flips down his helmet, welds for 30 seconds and walks away. That's it. I got an abandoned warehouse and buzzbox after that and been welding ever since.Some people pick it up easily, some people gotta work at it, some people just aint ever gonna get it.
Reply:People are wired differently to different work, I think thats done on purpose so everyone deosnt do the same thing...some are great test takers, some great at math, mechanically inclined, musically inclined and so on through all the different trades and areas of study....I have a friend that can pick up any musical instrument and play it beautifully..its amazing how he does it..I just use a guitar to hit things and it sounds better than trying to play it..lol ..but you have to try and find out what your sweet spot in life is..nothing ventured nothing gained..just be smart enough to know what you cant do...Of all the things I lost I miss my mind the most...I know just enough about everything to be dangerous......You cant cure stupid..only kill it... |
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发表于 2021-8-31 22:40:46