Looking for some thoughts

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Hi all, been a while since I've logged in here but I'm looking for some thoughts and I figured this is likely the best place to get them. I'm nearing the completion of a motorized bicycle project and the last part I'm working on is a mount for a chain tensioner wheel. As you can see in the attached picture I have the part pretty much fabricated and set in place for a fit up but I'm sitting here thinking about final welding that will be required. I'd like to do the welding myself but at the moment I'm lacking the ways and means to do so. I do have a smith little torch set with some disposable oxy & mapp tanks that I have used for silver brazing and welding bits of sheet metal together over the years but obviously that setup isn't going to cut it on this job. Now also pictured is this OA setup I got from a friend in exchange for repairing his motorcycle last summer and I had planned on getting an MC & R size tank set for it but that idea never got high enough on the priority list to materialize. Anyway as I said I'm just about at the point where I need to weld that part in place so I can finally go for a ride on my bike and I'm debating in my head whether I should spend the money on the tanks for the OA kit I have or if I should buy this flux core\MIG setup from my local Princess Auto store. Either or will cost me about the same when all is said and done and I really don't do much in the way of welding...although if I had the capabilities I might find I do more?? If I get the tanks they just might end up sitting for a year before I need to use them again, if I get the electric welder and a small spool of flux core it might sit for a year too but I suppose with the electric setup it's safer to store inside?? One thing too with regards to the electric welder is that I do have a good CO2\Argon regulator sitting in a drawer, (it's a left over from the brew your own beer days), so in the future I could get a tank of shielding gas and have both flux core and MIG capabilities.Anyways if it was you would you buy some tanks or the 120v flux core\mig kit? I've included a screen shot of the MIG and it specs sheet but here's a link to the Princess Auto page for that item anyway - click me I'll also add that Princess Auto has the same welder in a 220v version for 50 bucks more than the 120v although I really don't picture myself ever needing to weld anything beyond 3/16" in thickness. Thanks in advance for your thoughts.... Attached ImagesLast edited by SteveG-CA; 04-14-2010 at 03:05 AM.
Reply:Do you know how to oxy/fuel weld, or mig weld?  If so, buy the equipment to do whichever process you know how to do.  If not, either practice, practice, practice, then weld it yourself, or just take it to have it welded at a welding shop.MM350P/Python/Q300MM175/Q300DialarcHFHTP MIG200PowCon300SMHypertherm380ThermalArc185Purox oaF350CrewCab4x4LoadNGo utilitybedBobcat250XMT304/Optima/SpoolmaticSuitcase12RC/Q300Suitcase8RC/Q400Passport/Q300Smith op
Reply:If you decide to get the mig, I'd go ahead and get the 220v. You'll kick yourself down the road when you need to weld something heavy.  I'm sure you're aware of this, but you do plan to mount the idler on the slack side of the chain?                          MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Might be best/cheapest/safest to go to a local welding shop and have it done. Local bike shop will probably know someone too. They often get bikes in with torn off braze-on's and have someone.200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:Originally Posted by DesertRider33Do you know how to oxy/fuel weld, or mig weld?  If so, buy the equipment to do whichever process you know how to do.  If not, either practice, practice, practice, then weld it yourself, or just take it to have it welded at a welding shop.
Reply:Thanks to all for your input and just to add some closure to the thread I decided on a set of tanks so as to get some better use out of the OA gear I currently have. A gas setup in my situation I feel is the best choice because I can do so much more with it than just weld steel parts to other steel parts. So anyway yesterday I brought home a 40 acetylene, a 60 oxygen, 1lb of RG60, a cheap pair of flip up lens shade 5 goggles and an adapter for my acetylene regulator. I set everything up outside and spent much time checking for leaks with a thick soapy solution and also did some leak down checking. All in all the OA kit I was given checked out ok and I did a couple test welds on some scraps using the RG60 filler rod. I don't think I like the RG60 my LWS sales person suggested I should try, I just might grab a pound of RG45 later today just to see if it feels better for the job I want to do. Some bad news is when I hooked up my Smith Little Torch and did my leak and leak down tests I discovered that the nipple on the acetylene regulator end of the hose was not sealing so well so as much as I wanted to I did not get to do any testing with it. Don't know if I will be able to repair the nipple or if I will have to replace it. Looking at it with a magnifier shows some irregularities where it seals to the regulator and I think this was likely caused from me over-tightening it on the disposable bottle regulators...my bad  When I get a moment later today I'll start a new thread and post up some pictures of my first attempts at gas welding on a scale such as this. I Might do some brazing tests too because I'm thinking a nice fillet brazing job might hold the part in place just fine. Cheers Last edited by SteveG-CA; 04-21-2010 at 05:10 AM.