Any welders out here?

[mp5o]

So I'd like to get my hands on a decent welding machine for a beginner... Never welded before in my life, but I've been told a good way to learn is to buy one and practice.

I just need one for some minor exhaust work as of now, but I'd like room to do larger projects in the future also..

Sooo... Any reccommendations on which welder to go with? I'm most likely going to be welding stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum.

[RandomGuy]

I'm most likely going to be welding stainless steel, mild steel, and aluminum.
wowzer might wanna start off small there homie :)

get a TIG if u wanna do aluminum, good luck mayne.. .Check on craigslist they have some cheap ones there.

[mp5o]

wowzer might wanna start off small there homie :)

get a TIG if u wanna do aluminum, good luck mayne.. .Check on craigslist they have some cheap ones there.


I dunno man, like I said... I have zero experience with them so I'm looking for some advice. I have no idea what it takes to weld which types of metals. Aluminuim isn't high on my priority list... but stainless and mild steel is.

[The BUCKY]

i welded for 4 yrs in high school. did pretty much everything for the county. won alot of awards for my skills and made alot of money. everyone within our region had foul poles that i made for their baseball fields. 50+ft tall. i loved doing it. wish i still did it.

[mp5o]

i welded for 4 yrs in high school. did pretty much everything for the county. won alot of awards for my skills and made alot of money. everyone within our region had foul poles that i made for their baseball fields. 50+ft tall. i loved doing it. wish i still did it.


lol thanks for the help :rolleyes:

[The BUCKY]

yea seriously.

i am drinking and rambling

[chrisdavis]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200306073_200306073

Start off with MIG and steel. You can practice with fluxcore wire instead of wasting argon while you are learning. Aluminum, and stainless requires TIG welding and takes alot of time, and practice to get the hang of it.

[Big J]

Get a stick welder, they're cheap, you'll learn about heat settings and electrode selection quick with a stick welder. MIG is great, but go ahead and get a sheilding gas.

[Bishop]

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200306073_200306073

Start off with MIG and steel. You can practice with fluxcore wire instead of wasting argon while you are learning. Aluminum, and stainless requires TIG welding and takes alot of time, and practice to get the hang of it.
welding aluminum and stainless does not require a tig. You can weld them both with mig. just have to get different wire and gas.

[HiPSI]

i'd say get an inexpensive MIG but don't bother with flux-core. go ahead and get a gas setup as it's not much more expensive and will be much easier to lay down a clean weld.

i've been using my reconditioned Lincoln SP-135T for about 3 years now, picked it up on ebay for about $300 with the gas regulator and a cheezy helmet. you can get the argon/co2 bottle from airgas or linde (formerly holox), price depends on size. refills for my 20lb cylinder are about $30 but i can weld a lot of stuff on a single tank. i taught myself on this machine and haven't exceeded it's capabilities to date.

if you really want to go in feet first you can get a nice TIG setup but you're talking big money at that point. TIG is a bit harder to learn up front but it does have more flexibility than the average MIG in welding different materials and can lay even cleaner welds when you figure it out.

[chrisdavis]

welding aluminum and stainless does not require a tig. You can weld them both with mig. just have to get different wire and gas.


Thanks I didnt know that.

[Silver280zx]

Hes right, mig is the best way for somone that has no experience, ive been tig welding steel for years, and aluminum still gives me problems. I can see how mig might be a little easier to weld aluminum, since the wire can be fed faster.

[anothaRRR]

Mig welding aluminum with small mig welder wont work as great, you would have to invest in a spool gun, cause otherwise the aluminum is soft it will get caught in the line and tangle...Also, you need lotta heat for aluminum...Just start with a 110-220 mig welder and weld steel, harbor freight sells some cheap stuff that would work just to start on something...

[SniperJoe]

Lincoln-Electric welders are great. Just start with a simple mig welder and some scrap steel and learn about it. They've got some good haynes manuals that teach you about welding theory.

[mp5o]

What do you guys think about this one?

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=55250

[anothaRRR]

That should be good just to learn...If thats all youre wanting to do is learn for now, just get something cheap...Only thing about that one is that its 230v so it wont plug in straight to the wall...Itll need a different plug like a dryer has...

[Bishop]

^yup

If you just want to learn and are only going to use it once a month at most, then get a cheap one. If you want to learn and use it alot, buy a licoln. Good prices and good machines. I have a craftsman which i have had for about 3 years and i have never had a problem with it. Never used it as a mig, just flux cored. I have welded exhaust, strut bars, cabinets.... its been great. Now i wish i would have gone with a licoln just because of their reputation and i spent just about the same price.

If you are going to be welding AL, get a tig. They are awesome. They aren't cheap if you get a good one, but i would love to own one. Hard to learn on but once you know what you are doing, its pretty fun.