Home and Auto Beginner welder? - Page 3

**penguinz** · 09-28-2021, 12:45 PM

Wanting to pick up a starter welder in order to learn welding.

Any recommendations for a good welder to start with?

ModSocks · 09-28-2021, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Evidently those things can be converted to a plasma cutter?

Yes they can actually.

We're running a Miller Diversion 180 for TIG, Miller Millermatic 221 for MIG and then we have a little Miller 375 X-treme plasma cutter that we rarely use. The plasma cutter we mainly use is a Lincoln Electric. It's put away right now and i don't recall the model.

But our proudest piece of equipment is our Lincoln Electric Torchmate 4800. If you don't know what that is, google it. Talk about fun....

And alright, i've been biting my tongue this whole thread, but **** it, i gotta brag a little bit.

Lincoln Electric is doing a feature on our shop right now. They saw some Instagram post we made while using the Torchmate and reached out to us to do a feature story on our shop for their website.

Mr. Wizard · 09-28-2021, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by penguinz

1. Garage outlets are 110 but the breaker box is just on other side of wall so could run a new 220 if needed.

2. Never going to be a pro and in reality probably just used a handful of times per year so I don’t want to break the bank on one.

3. From what you stated a 40 % duty sounds plenty.

4. Thickest I can think I would be using for now is maybe 3/8 but most likely 3/16.

5. If best for my needs then yes.

6. High school industrial shop class is only experience. Was decent at it if I am remembering correctly.

Well then here you go,,,,

https://www.amazon.com/Forney-Easy-W...78V852S2&psc=1

Everyone will envy you when they find out you have a power source that can stick, flux core, mig, and even touch start tig. Be sure to watch the video and order the gauge and gas line.

For thin you can’t beat mig. For thick you can’t beat stick. I would run a dedicated 110 volt 30 amp line for it. Makes all the difference and doesn’t cost much.

You’ll love it. I have had virtually every make and model out there including gasoline driven models. But if I were going to buy a hobby shop powersource this would be it.

As for gas, go with straight co2. They will try and sell you 75/25 which is much more expensive and make “prettier” welds due to the fact that argon allows electrons to flow better but straight co2 penetrates better and is a hell of a lot cheaper. We go through 2-3 large bottles a week with over 100 welders.
As for wire go with ER70s6. As for electrodes go with 3/32” e6011. It’s an all around rod that can be used in all positions on not so clean metal. However you may prefer er 6013 as it’s easier to run and “prettier”. (As a certified weld inspector I hate that term but here I am using it) if you are doing multipass welds on thick materials run a root pass with your 6011 and then filler passes with e7018. It’s a low hydrogen rod to prevent hydrogen cracking in multipass welds. In certification we use 6010 for root welds but 6011 is more versatile and will work just fine.

Ok I will quit for now “you can always tell a teacher but you can’t tell em much”.

Good luck

Sassy Squatch · 09-29-2021, 07:47 PM

It's neat to stick metal to other metal.

Mr. Wizard · 09-29-2021, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superturtle

It's neat to stick metal to other metal.

Dude you killed my threadkiller mojo

ghak99 · 09-29-2021, 08:16 PM

It sounds like you're working pretty thin, I think you're going to want to spend little more than you will want to. The thinner the work the more precise you need your machine adjustments to be. Cheap shit is often just "good enough", and that's not good enough for body work. I have a Lincoln stick and a Hobart wire. The Hobart is a pretty good bang for the buck considering it's basically a Miller.

Just go ahead and run the 220. DO NOT go cheap on gas, using a good mixture will keep you from wondering what the **** you're doing wrong. Wire isn't as finicky as good gas, but cheap shit can often be off on diameter and not feed as expected. Make sure you keep it stored in a dry place as a corroded spool will do nothing but piss you off.

Welding is as much of an art as science. When you're hitting it right you can actually just close your eyes and listen to her scream as you rock from wall to wall.

DeepPurple · 09-29-2021, 08:18 PM

My dad was a welder for a living. He learned in the Navy in the 40s, in was on the USS Albany. After the war he worked for Bendix Electronics. In '59 we moved to Florida and he worked for the City of St. Petersburg. He retired in '85. He was in fleet maintenance and repaired anything the city drove, police cars, buses, garbage trucks, lawn mowers, anything that needed welding, he did. I never thought about asking him to teach me, now it's too late.

09-28-2021, 12:45 PM
penguinz Supporter Join Date: Mar 2003 Casino cash: $3097626	Beginner welder? Wanting to pick up a starter welder in order to learn welding. Any recommendations for a good welder to start with?
Posts: 16,314

09-29-2021, 07:47 PM	#33
Sassy Squatch The man you could post like. Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $2439655	It's neat to stick metal to other metal.
Posts: 37,929

09-29-2021, 08:16 PM	#35
ghak99 MVP Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $1902250	It sounds like you're working pretty thin, I think you're going to want to spend little more than you will want to. The thinner the work the more precise you need your machine adjustments to be. Cheap shit is often just "good enough", and that's not good enough for body work. I have a Lincoln stick and a Hobart wire. The Hobart is a pretty good bang for the buck considering it's basically a Miller. Just go ahead and run the 220. DO NOT go cheap on gas, using a good mixture will keep you from wondering what the **** you're doing wrong. Wire isn't as finicky as good gas, but cheap shit can often be off on diameter and not feed as expected. Make sure you keep it stored in a dry place as a corroded spool will do nothing but piss you off. Welding is as much of an art as science. When you're hitting it right you can actually just close your eyes and listen to her scream as you rock from wall to wall.
Posts: 8,204

09-29-2021, 08:18 PM	#36
DeepPurple I could of gone pro Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The Villages, Florida Casino cash: $10005676	My dad was a welder for a living. He learned in the Navy in the 40s, in was on the USS Albany. After the war he worked for Bendix Electronics. In '59 we moved to Florida and he worked for the City of St. Petersburg. He retired in '85. He was in fleet maintenance and repaired anything the city drove, police cars, buses, garbage trucks, lawn mowers, anything that needed welding, he did. I never thought about asking him to teach me, now it's too late.
Posts: 1,340