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..Seems nobody has just one welder unless they're new. And seems ya end up levitating t'wards havin MIG and TIG. So would it be a workable setup to have a nice MIG/spoolgun for the .250"+ AL and a smaller TIG for the .187) repairs/production runs. I have a 200A inverter TIG for all the aesthetic needs with aluminum. In my mobile I have a 250A spoolgun MIG that can handle most everything I need in the field if that process is dictated. So, as you can see, we each must evaluate our own needs/costs/results(Profit) to operate effectively. Do your homework....DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Hey Denny.. Thanks for taking the time to write your response.. Helpful and relevant.. I'm thinking that threads such as this and the ones I've dug up thru searches are part of my homework. There's no such thing as a single source for good info. It all has to be assimilated, and a consensus reached that directly effects the decision on what to actually get. It can be challenging to get objective opinions on such things, tho'. Referring to prices getting "outta hand", that's simply stating that it's beyond what I can currently afford for the venture at hand. "Bigger TIG's" refers to the Dynasty 350DX and other "pro" machines of that nature that get up over the $5K range in price. I simply can't afford that right now. So I'm trying to get the most bang for my bucks w/o screwing it up thru ignorance.Can't say how much a machine will be used right now. There are currently no plans to do any production work, tho'. Mostly one-off pieces for the rigs that come thru here, I'd guess. The saltwater environment we live and work in demands aluminum, both plain and anondized, along with some stainless work. Not much steel. Some guys want "pretty" work, others just want it to work, or at least not fall apart. Any of it's a pretty good ways down the road still. But no sense havin to buy a thing twice.Conerning profit margin, for the time being that's somewhat of a secondary consideration. I guess the best way to describe what I am currently aiming for would be as a "serious hobbyist"(?) or "tinkerer". Available power is household 220V/200A service. I'd like to be able to put some of these ideas that keep coming up as I'm modding these rigs to metal. I have a strong dislike for improper gear for the task at hand (anodized/non-anodized aluminum to .250"). And yessir, I know it's the biggest PITA stuff to start with, but it's what we use. So here we are, and the question remains.. What gear to start with that won't become useless/cumbersome/obsolete/trashed/redundant as this new venture progresses.?ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb...124641914.htmlI'll buy the beer while yer here to offset the cost of FuelEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Can Anodized AL be Mig welded?Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:http://myrtlebeach.craigslist.org/tls/2102199847.htmlThis would be good just to have for non anodized aluminum, steel etc for your shop.Last edited by Broccoli1; 12-24-2010 at 07:45 PM.Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749That's a pretty good price. I have seen them sell for under $500 on the 'List before. Just gotta be in the right place at the right time.
Reply:Originally Posted by Broccoli1Can Anodized AL be Mig welded?
Reply:Thanks for the replies, fellas.!! Definitely gives me some ideas I hadn't really thought much about (ie the older machines). I see'm all the time on CL within easy travel from here, there's a bunch on the Florence, SC CL now. Just don't really have much of an idea what's worth what or what'll actually do the job proper, tho'.. I'd prolly not have much trouble coughin up $1Kish or so for a useful MIG machine right now. Long as it's a reasonable deal and something reliable/useful. Dave jumped the gun on a recent purchase and ended up with something that wouldn't work with the spool gun they needed for trailer repairs. I don't wanna follow suit.With the boats, I know a rough value just from adding together the sum of the used parts that make the package up. Gimme a decent looking outboard with compression, fire, fuel and a good lock on the tranny and I'm a player(if it's priced right). But when it comes to a welder I ain't got a clue. Maybe it'd be good to know if there are any lemons to be avoided (like FICHT, Force or Bayliner in the boat biz).Also, is there any one test, or small set of tests to check the function and condition of a welding setup.? Anything "obsolete enough" that it's just not easy to repair or get parts/supplies for.? Any definitive source for pricing this stuff on the used market besides eBay "completed listings" and CL searches.?As a side note, my local welding friend has a brain dead Miller Dynasty 300DX sittin there collectin dust. Wonder what the cost of fixin that would be.? He said last time he checked it was gonna be around $1800 to repair. Brocs- With this thirsty beast I'm drivin right now (01 F150 5.4L) we'd hafta go thru a pile of brewski's. I may not survive.. d:^) Schneeks..Last edited by Schneeky; 12-24-2010 at 11:16 PM.ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Check with 7A749He has the low down on the machines to look for He said the Regency is a good machine but it do take $ away from the Tig purchase.I got me a 1980 Cobalt 18 DV nice little lake boat. Heavy sumbich for an 18' boatEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Originally Posted by SchneekyDave jumped the gun on a recent purchase and ended up with something that wouldn't work with the spool gun they needed for trailer repairs.
Reply:Schneeky,Its pretty difficult to make a rule of thumb type of statement about a metal with more than 8000 registered alloys in thicknesses from paper to half a foot thick.If you just spent a few minutes trying to cope with the number of variables implied by the facts in the first line (above) then you'd see more clearly how difficult the Forum's task will be to answer?If member "aluminum Pro" works in a heavy wall, high pressure vessels of aluminum he will have a point of view and experience that are all 'True'. But then member " aluminum Pro super thin" weighs in and he works in paper thin alloys for the aerospace industry he will bring another 'Truth' to the replies to you generic post.I think Denny has said more to you than most of us can; you might want to define what you're discussing before you expect too much information in return?I work in boats so my focus is marine alloys, others who don't see those alloys will have more to say about the other alloys from another point of view.I hope you'd take the time to make a useful 'scope of work' statement so the Forum, which has some incredibly knowledgeable people willing to help, can reply without trying to use 'telepathy' that so many new posters seem to presume of the others?I ask you to see if you can quantify some of the 'millions' of variables?what alloy?what thickness, or thickness range?what application, or what types of welds are needed or planned?what product, goal, service, repair or welds are the focus?what tests, what standards, what purity, what structural specifications are required?Without these basics the universe or aluminum is a big place and you can't get very exact answers with 'generic' questions.Your original post has some ideas that present questions but it has other implications too. I mean no disrespect in saying the post is generic and if you're trying to learn the many contributors here have plenty of help to offer. But no one had a clear image of your goals and work scope so they're all having to begin any reply with some head scratching.wont' you take a minute to help clarify the post and ask about one thing? TIG has applications that are widely used and accepted. So to, does MIG, but your post leaves me (some one with plural thousands of hours in both MIG and TIG aluminum) at a loss about what you want to accomplish and how I could help such a 'generic' inquiry?Cheers, and Merry Christmas to you and the familyKevin Morin
Reply:7A749- Will definitely be on the search for that quality used gear. And checkin on that link Brocs posted right now. Mind if I PM pester you occasionally for an opinion on pricing/use till I get my crap together on this. I'd be happy to trade services if I have something under my hat of use to you. Brocs- Sometimes heavy is good.. Every boat ever made is a compromise of some sort. It's unavoidable.. If yer happy with the rig and the deal with no plans to sell, then it's a good deal.. That Sync looked like it lived in a clean place. It'd be a real sore temptation if it was on the right coast.. Dave said he got a "Legend" or some such and it wouldn't accept a 14 pin connector.? Kevin- Merry Christmas to you and yours as well.. what alloy? Machines are alloy-specific.? Holy cow, now I am cornfused. Izzat why they have so many different models.?what thickness, or thickness range? As stated in the post above, anodized Al to .250". Am I mistaken in thinking that if a machine will handle anodized Al to .250", it will handle most other common metals to that thickness.? what application, or what types of welds are needed or planned? Again, as stated above, right now or here in the near future I'll be happy just to get 2 things schtuck together. I'm just gettin started, so at best I have just an idea of what may be forthcoming. Which may be what interprets into being so "generic". Gotta start somewhere. And don't wanna hafta re-purchase gear if I can avoid it.what product, goal, service, repair or welds are the focus? Freedom to make real the ideas in my head. And it's all small stuff. No T Tops'r'Tuna Towers.what tests, what standards, what purity, what structural specifications are required? None.. I'm in complete agreement with you that different folks from different disciplines will have different opinions. That's why I said it's difficult to get an objective opinion. I'm thinkin that between this and my "Coastal TIG" thread "telepathy" was just a mouse click away, tho'.. While I may be new to welding, I am extremely familiar with people. And any way I read your post, it comes across as somewhat of an attempted brow-beating. Apologies if I'm mistaken. d:^) Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Originally Posted by 7A749Not at all. I'll help if I can. Craigs List is the best place to look. Always deals there, just gotta time it right. I would hit that Regency. Offer him $800 & see what happens. You'll score either way. It's a nice machine.I'll PM you with my number
Reply:Schneeks, Lets leave the Welding forum and go to the "Tourist and Hosting Business" site Forum where the discussion of all manner of lodging, tourist related topics and many other aspects of this very wide business and life style are discussed?I dont know much about this work and so my examples will be poorly imagined and even less well written but Im going to ask you to be the 'experienced lodging host' and youre replying to a 'less experienced poster'.The post reads: Id like advice
.. about how much to spend in advertisement, how much to charge for my rooms and whether I should buy the 300 or the 600 thread countEgyptian cotton sheets and press them daily for the bedding? Thanks for ANY advice you can provideSo, before you give your answer to this hypothetical poster- you (may) think "Well, there are many possible circumstances that this poster could be in- I mean what if he is planning to start a Motel Six, or hes opening a new Hyatt Regency in Vegas?"Maybe the fellow is planning to rent out a back room in his house? or..... how many other possibilities can we agree exist for the posters circumstances? couple hundred, a thousand? I wrote the post without the details many B&B or even motel owners might want to know to make a sensible answer.Now its possible:.... this poster owns a 4000 square foot hand-hewn log lodge on scenic bend in the Kenai River where the familys two 20-something year old daughters guide guests in welded aluminum fishing guide boats for World Class King Salmon wearing smiles that would light up a foot ball stadium during a night game? And
.its possible that the poster is Bill; of Bill and Jims Bait and Tackle located along a state highway in Rural Kansas and the fishing is guided on a Sears Jon boat of pressed aluminum and is guided on the local Waste Water Treatment Pond for feces eating carp, by a surly teenager who is allergic to the sun and wears a hooded sweat shirt and plays on an electronic thingy all day.Nobody can tell from the first post where the poster on the hypothetical Forum is located in the spectrum of Tourism and Hosting industry, [and I couldnt tell where you are in welding or goals for your welding.]Im trying to pose a scenario from the host and lodging business in which there could be lots of informative facts behind the generic original post which may help an experienced B&B owner to share something of his experience. Would you be able to help the original poster without some idea if he is closer to the first B&B scenario or the last?Im not trying to brow beat you, but you have asked somewhat open ended questions that imply any reply has to assume your circumstances. I was nudging you, I was encouraging you, and I was suggesting that you help others with specific application questions; so they could help you.Just as you have experience in hosting industry (implied by your logo and link) and may need to know more to help my theoretical poster in his search for advice on the imaginary Tourist and Hosting Business site Forum, I was asking for the type of information youve provided since, and suggesting others would need similar details to determine if their experience was of any use.By this I mean; if the poster is Bill and not the manager of a $1500/day/head fish camp you may or may not choose to reply? But either way, if you dont know whats behind the post, (as above) wouldnt you ask questions, make suggestions to gain facts and generally explore the countless possibilities before you tried to make an informed reply?Cheers,Kevin Morin
Reply:Sneeky;Quote:"As a side note, my local welding friend has a brain dead Miller Dynasty 300DX sittin there collecting dust. Wonder what the cost of fixin that would be.? He said last time he checked it was gonna be around $1800 to repair." Wanna try http://www.parkermetalworking.com, for an estimate on that dead Dynasty 300Dx, their rates are $65.00 per hour to a maximum of 4 hours, and $35 on parts for inverters.They actually service the PCB boards so you are not buying expensive boards but replacing the mosfets.Give them a call.It is good if you can get your hands on the welder(Its your buddy's) pop the covers off, blow it out, and look for any burn marks or smells.Alot of people are discouraged from fixing units but it can become a good opportunity and you are not out of pocket serious dough.
Reply:Originally Posted by pistolnoonWanna try http://www.parkermetalworking.com, for an estimate on that dead Dynasty 300Dx, their rates are $65.00 per hour to a maximum of 4 hours, and $35 on parts for inverters.They actually service the PCB boards so you are not buying expensive boards but replacing the mosfets.Give them a call.It is good if you can get your hands on the welder(Its your buddy's) pop the covers off, blow it out, and look for any burn marks or smells.Alot of people are discouraged from fixing units but it can become a good opportunity and you are not out of pocket serious dough.
Reply:Hey Schneeky,I can see that this thread is going downhill & apparently you haven't found any real solution or made any kind of positive determination as to YOUR needs. I also can see you find Kevins' responses as insulting, demeaning, castigating, or irrelevant..... they were not meant to be if you would only engage some grey matter to attempt to comprehend the responses each responder has furnished. WE CANNOT HELP YOU UNLESS YOU MAKE A POSITIVE DESCRIPTION OF YOUR EXACT NEEDS!Each of the fellows has tried to provide data, using their own working environments, to enlighten you as to equipment needs relevent to their own aluminum applications. Seems to all be in vain because of your lack of clarity. I see, quite clearly, Kevins' analogy that you have taken in a completely wrong context. It is spot on, whether you like it or not. Now, if you feel I am also "picking" on you, I can only surmise you lack serious welding intelligence as far as a business practices that maintain ANY operations' PROFIT maintenance to stay afloat for the long term. It certainly is quite apparent that any future responses by any other members will be definitely fruitless...... Good luck...DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Schneeky,I have a little bit of an advantage in that I am in the business and know your area pretty well. Think I've got a pretty good idea about where you're heading.I'd recommend starting with a used Syncrowave 250 DX. Make sure you get a water cooled torch setup. The Sync 250 will do the bump welding you'll be getting into with the anodized. The Dynasty 200 is a great welder, but it just doesn't have the ba11s or duty cycle for a steady diet of anodized aluminum. Buying "smart", you should be able to get a good machine in the $2,500 range.Next would be a good mig in the 250A range. Some of the best buys are the MM251/MM252. Hook up a 30A spoolgun and you're ready to do your heavier aluminum. You should be able to pick up a nice MM251/MM252 for under $2,000. Throw in a 30A ($600-800) and you're set for the heavier stuff.Next you may want to keep your eyes out for a nice, used XMT 304 CC/CV. with a good wirefeeder. Add an Optima pulser and the 30A spoolgun you already have, and you're into pulsed mig. (Thinner material and out of position welds).All the equipment I mentioned above is "industrial grade" and proven reliable. By buying used (but good shape--generally not from a production environment) you minimize your outlay and have equipment with an excellent resale potential.This is a "recommended path", but it starts with the Syncrowave 250.I've owned Sync 250's since 1977. Three different machines. Just "moved up" to take advantage of some of the newer "bells and whistles". A friend of mine still has my original Sync 250, and it's still "making him money". When I take into account what I paid for the machines, what they cost to maintain, and what I sold them for, it's cost me < $150/yr to have a 310A capable tig machine in the shop for the last 30 years.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:SDIII- A Sync 250DX is definitely on the short list, that's gettin shorter. Looks like it'd be a great rig for the shop, they're pretty universally well thought of and can be had reasonable, as you said. Also found a very reasonably priced similar-to-suggested Miller MIG w/30A spoolgun and controller I'm s'posed to go test run and pick up tomorrow. I'll PM ya the details to see what ya think.. Thanks much for your help in this.. Yorkiepap- Awwww, I'm smilin as I'm typin' and this thread ain't goin downhill, bubba. Might be peterin out, tho'.. I'm sure it's all good and I 'spect to get my chain jerked a bit and as stated earlier, apologies if I'm mistaken. But no worries. It's just a discussion forum. Coupla fellas I'm PM'n with seem to have a good grasp on what I'm tryin to do and we're movin forward. So if you guys are all that far above my paygrade and I'm too ignorant to effectively communicate with ya just yet, well again, my apologies and consider yerselves "unasked". Mebbe I'll catch up with ya inna few years when I have a better handle in the subject and can communicate mo'betta.. ..Thanks again to folks who helped out so far.!! d:^) Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ
Reply:Schneeky,Just to clear the air, you've gotten some really good advice from some very knowledgeable people. Kevin is one of the "most knowledgeable" posters on the board. He's done some awesome work with aluminum and boats. Basically, I haven't seen anyone here trying to demean the position you're in. Some of the questions asked were to obtain a better idea of what you intend to do so as to provide more relevant information.Got to understand that we get a lot of "new guys" here that are not sure what their needs are. Sorta like, hell, if I knew what I was going to be welding/building a year from now, I wouldn't be here asking questions.Most of the other posters will tell you that I have one of the "shortest fuses" on the board. I can see thru most BS pretty quickly and don't mind pointing it out. In your case, I have (as mentioned previously) a bit of an advantage in understanding "where you're coming from" and what you hope to accomplish.As it applies to any poster, the more information you provide about what your goals are, the more helpful some of the knowledgeable guys can be. I can assure you that Kevin was not "talking down" to you. That's just not in his nature.Really comes down to the old "chicken or egg" analogy. If you had the experience to know what process (mig/tig) best meets your needs in a particular situation, you wouldn't need to ask questions in the first place. Personally, I've been in the business "a long time" and I honestly can say that I can't imagine not having BOTH capabilities.Heck, if you find yourself up my way at any time in the near future, let me know. A few hours in the shop would probably go a long ways to pointing out the advantages/disadvantages of each process.A few basic comments would be: Aluminum likes Amps. You can turn a larger machine down, but you can't turn a small machine UP. You can't use Amps you didn't buy.Good luck tomorrow.Syncro 250 DX Dynasty 200 DXMM 251 w/30A SG XMT 304 w/714 Feeder & Optima PulserHH187Dialarc 250 AC/DCHypertherm PM 1250Smith, Harris, Victor O/ASmith and Thermco Gas MixersAccess to a full fab shop with CNC Plasma, Water Jet, etc.
Reply:Allrighty then. I musta read wrong. Apologies all 'round. Didn't mean to start any drama on the forum. Seems then that I don't have enough information to ask the right questions of those who know. I'll try again at a later time when I'm mo' edumacated. Meantime, I'll be researchin and goin to school. Playin with the gear I get. Thanks for the help, fellas.I'll be back(Terminator).. d:^) Schneeks..ESAB 161 LTSCommunicate & adapt, diggit.?ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ |
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发表于 2021-8-31 23:31:49