i know nothing about welding and need some help

admin

ok so my husband asked for a welder for christmas and i dont have a clue what to look for or where. he mention "tig" "buzz box" and "110". he said he just wanted something small. i dont want to get a peice of crap but also dont want to spend an arm and a leg. help!
Reply:Do you know what kind of things he plans to use if for? Has he done any welding before?GravelThe difference between theory and practice is that in theory there is no difference.
Reply:He probably wants a machine that can run on 110volts (normal house current)  I suggest a dual voltage machine that can also run on 230vac. Such as a range/dryer outlet.   110 only is very limiting and he will quickly outgrow it and want a 230 volt unit.  (The buzz box is a 230 volt transformer machine and requires a 50 amp input circuit power)  If he mentioned buzz box  that is a Stick welder but can do scratch start TIG with a few additions.    Better to buy a newer inverter based TIG stick machine.    I don't know your budget,  so about the cheapest (and a machine I have owned) would be something like an Everlast powerarc 140st @ $ 275 http://www.everlastgenerators.com/pr...powerarc-140st  Also available on Amazon with free shipping.   it's a great machine for entry level welder and includes torch and everything to get started with TIG.   There are other option depending on your budget.   You might want to find out what materials and material thickness he wants to weld.  Also clarify if he wants STICK, TIG, or MIG.   Also if he says he wants to weld aluminum, you are into $ 700-1000 for a machine.Tiger 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:Many people do just fine with a 110v welder.  It just depends what you are doing.  For the average hobbyist one of the 140 amp migs would be really useful for projects around the house.  Most hobbyist will find the little wire feed machines are much easier to work with than stick welding machines.  Plus they can be moved around and plugged in just about anywhere.  For the best of both worlds go with a dual voltage machine but those are much more expensive.My suggestion would be looking at one of the 140 amp 110v wire feed machines.  Good ones can be had for between $300 and $600.  I don't think you can go wrong with a Hobart, Miller, Lincoln, or Everlast.  I've used small mig machines from all those manufacturers and all worked just fine.  I currently have the everlast and I like it more than the others because it is lighter and easier to move around.  If he will be working with heavier metal like 1/4" or better and will be primarily welding 1 spot you might look at a "buzz box" stick welder.  They can be had for not much $ but the old buzz boxes are not very portable so if he plans on welding in different places you might look at an inverter like the Miller Maxstar 150 or the Everlast PA 200.  I have owned both and its' nice because they can use either 110v or 220v power and has enough strength to weld thicker material.  the downside is stick welding is much more difficult IMO especially for beginners.
Reply:Why put your self through this ordeal? Hand him the check book, tell him to go buy what he wants.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:hes been a pipefitter for 11 years and was a welder for an awning company. he said he wants something to practice with since he doesnt weld often at work he doesnt want to get rusty i guess
Reply:Originally Posted by hyde09hes been a pipefitter for 11 years and was a welder for an awning company. he said he wants something to practice with since he doesnt weld often at work he doesnt want to get rusty i guess
Reply:ok i know its a welder but other than that im at a loss
Reply:Originally Posted by hyde09ok i know its a welder but other than that im at a loss
Reply:Ok, how much do you love this guy ??  $1000.00 , $2,000.00 , $3,000.00. give us a budget and your location. Does he want a new hood too ? We all would be happy to help. Grab your checkbook and let's go shoppin ! There are many guys here that would love to help you spent money. Your husband will definitely be thrilled.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPWhy put your self through this ordeal? Hand him the check book, tell him to go buy what he wants.
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPOh, then he needs one of these!
Reply:Originally Posted by BD1Ok, how much do you love this guy ??  $1000.00 , $2,000.00 , $3,000.00. give us a budget and your location. Does he want a new hood too ? We all would be happy to help. Grab your checkbook and let's go shoppin ! There are many guys here that would love to help you spent money. Your husband will definitely be thrilled.
Reply:Tig with a buzzbox and 110 don't really go very well together.  A "buzzbox" is an older technology - still around - but requires more electricity to weld anything of substance than you can get from a 110 volt outlet in your garage.  Newer technology "inverter" welders are a lot more efficient.  Mine will run off 110 v and put out 160 amps for tig.  Enough to weld 1/8 steel and a bit more.  A buzzbox I don't think is going to get you more than 90 amps or so which is more tuned for 1/16" steel and harder to learn on because it's so thin.  (Full disclosure - I can't tig weld to save my life.  My inverter is more for stick welding and trying to learn tig.)Long and short, you may ask him if he'd prefer an inverter like the Everlast mentioned above.To be honest, I wouldn't ask my wife to buy me a welder unless I specified exactly which one.  You're a wonderful spouse to be getting him what he wants.
Reply:I'm with the guys that say not to buy it for him.If it's not one that will work for what he wants, he'll likely never say so and the money will be wasted.How about a gift certificate to a local Miller store? (Miller is a brand of welders btw)What guy wouldn't like that? Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveI'm with the guys that say not to buy it for him.If it's not one that will work for what he wants, he'll likely never say so and the money will be wasted.How about a gift certificate to a local Miller store? (Miller is a brand of welders btw)What guy wouldn't like that?
Reply:If you live in an area that has Northern Tool stores, they sell Lincoln and Hobart machines, and their own brand, Klutch.I would say, go to a store like that, and pick from options starting at about 250 with the tig torch included.Tell the folks at the store it is a gift for your hubby, and make sure he is free to exchange it if he had his mind set on something different.I also feel  230 volt machine would be more appropriate, considering his past experience. 115 would be like him riding a trike to get into shape for the Tour Dr FranceDo you have a dryer outlet in the garage?If not, 115 will have to do...unless you get him a generator also, or one of the smaller gasoline operated welders:-)I personally have their hybrid machine that does wire, stick, and TIG welding.My wife has exchanged every gift I ever gave her that she didn't point out explicitly.Come to think of it, she exchanges about half of what she buys for herself too:-/But she always comes home with a big smile on her face after exchanging, and only spending a 'little more' than I had originally.Last edited by geezerbill; 12-04-2014 at 01:33 PM.Hobart Beta-Mig 2511972 Miller AEAD-200LEMiller 250 TwinNorthern Ind. Hybrid 200Longevity Stick 140Longevity Migweld 200SThermal Arc Pak 3XR
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawLincoln Fanboys
Reply:This thread is unnecessary.Op,Have your husband buy his own welder.He knows what he wants, not you.Just a couple welders, big hammers, grinders, and torches.Work will free you.Men in dirty jeans built this country, while men in clean suits have destroyed it. Trump/Carson 2016-2024
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopOp,Have your husband buy his own welder.He knows what he wants, not you.
Reply:Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveNo accounting for taste - not my fault that some people like the wrong flavor welder...
Reply:Originally Posted by Dantheharleyman99That's true Dave! But when your starving... Everything starts to taste a little better no matter what the meal!! Ha ha.I prefer miller myself but would never pass up the operationity to receive any welder as a gift, especially a lincoln!Infact I'm probably going to pick up a lincoln invertec 155 in the next couple days brand new for $200.I've heard good things about them and may be an option for a nice welder. Both 110 and 230 v operation, simple, small and easy to use.... Just can't do aluminum with it and are considerably more expensive from a store. (Max star 150 is the miller equivalent).
Reply:Could always spray paint it red or new decals. Attached ImagesTiger 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:Originally Posted by soutthpawCould always spray paint it red or new decals.
Reply:Lol!... I've got a few pieces of equipment that I've had to make the same deal with!Real welders know how to penetrate!(Equipment)Whatever can be used to beat my opponent into submission!Originally Posted by MinnesotaDaveIf I cleaned or painted my Airco it would break - that's the deal I worked out with it.I leave it dirty and it keeps working If I painted it red and put Lincoln stickers on it, I think it would burn down the shop on purpose...