Gas Welder for first welder

admin

I am looking at all my options for a first welder.  I want to be able to weld mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and maybe copper.  The mild steel will be in the form of tanks that I will be converting to barbeque grills and other odd jobs.  The stainless and copper will be a thin sheet for making a molasses cooking pan.  The aluminum will be .125 and .100 marine aluminum for interior boat stuff (seats, gun box, and probably front deck).  Also, I'm trying to keep from spending a fortune.  Will an oxy/ac welder work for these applications?Patrick
Reply:Well, you are all over the place when it comes to metal and applications.  The oxy/ace will work, but it might take years to get some of your projects done.  If you plan on converting tanks to grilles, the torch will be fine for cutting, but the welding part will be slow, costly, and painful.If I were you, and had all these things in mind, I'd start with a good ac/dc electric stick welder or a really nice mig machine of 210 amps or better, depending on your price range, and a cutting/welding torch outfit.  These are the basics of most shops.  The electric welders will get you through some of the steel projects reasonably quickly and cheaply.  The mig can do some of the more exotic metals you mention, with some upgrades.  The oxy/ace can supplement where you can't do it electrically (I don't think you can use oxy/ace to weld stainless, but you can braze).  Also, concentrate on the steel projects first.  That's where you should get your feet wet.Keep in mind that it's very expensive to get a welder that does everything adequately, and that NO welder does everything best.  Buy used, start small, learn and trade up when your skills overmatch your equipment.  You will know when that happens.  You will be surprised how little welders decline in value if you buy good used equipment.Last edited by smithboy; 11-08-2005 at 03:58 PM.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:I figured as much.  I've had my eye on the MM210 w/spoolgun for sometime now.  I just didn't want to part with the money.  I do have an old Lincoln 225 amp AC stick welder that I need to clean up and put new cables on.  I might use that for the heavy stuff and use the MM210 for the sheet metal.Patrick
Reply:Actually, the 210 may be better for heavy stuff since it's dc.  But, the ac225 is not a bad welder to have around either.  They are solid and dependable and stick is cheaper than mig in dollars, but not in time.  What's cheaper for you depends on your price for time.  Stick also is much better on dirty metal.Remember, you can buy used and save some money, but there is a risk, and being new to the field means your risk is a bit higher than veteran weldors.  Try craigslist and see if there is anyone in your area trying to sell the outfit you are looking for.  That way you can get a chance to try it out before you buy.  Since 200+ amp mig machines are heavy, you dont want to ship, unless you are buying new and shipping is included.Smithboy...if it ain't broke, you ain't tryin'.
Reply:Thanks for the info.  I have started looking at the smaller AC/DC tig machines from miller.  They are kind of high, but I can do pretty much all I want to with one, as long as I take my time.  Since I am a hobbyist and a beginner, taking my time probably won't be an issue.Patrick