Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 03-06-2015, 12:57 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
Welder

So I have been doing a bit of research and have decided instead of paying someone to do something I could do I thought it might be time for a welder. I have read just about all I could on the net, watched videos, and thought I would reach out -
Anyone near Bellingham that could share some tips face to face? Show some basics? What would be your suggestion on the best welder for a beginner? I am looking for something to plug in to my 20 amp 110 plug here in the garage. Yes I have 220 but don't want to be tied to my garage. Inverter/transformer? Model/Make suggestions? One of my first projects is to weld on my new trailer and add a bumper cut and extend my tongue add a receiver to the back for cooler/wood rack, etc. I don't ever see needing to weld 1/4" - I find the thought of welding my own trailer build to be very enticing, I understand that I need to learn how to generate a good bead and penetration so the welds hold long term down the road with a lot of abuse. Heck I am even thinking of taking a few quarters at the local tech school. Thoughts and opinions? Thanks.

bshillam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 01:26 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
Re: Welder

I love this guy's videos:

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com

If you want to weld everything, tig is likely what you should put your time into learning. But I started with a big mig machine Millermatic 350P. Now I really want to weld aluminum so I am stuck with a machine that will weld aluminum but will cost about the same to set up to weld aluminum (Python push-pull gun) as a separate tig machine would cost. So a tig machine is probably in my future. Most important purchase is an autodarkening helmet. I have a Miller Titanium series helmet and like it alot.
__________________
2002 E350 ext.; 160K; 7.3L; 4R100 (w/4x4 deep pan & filter); 4x4 conv. w/2007 F250/F350 coil frnt axle (oppos. dual Bilstein press. shocks cured DW) diff chg from 3.55 to 3.73 (bad!); BW1356 t.c. (bad!); LT265/70R17/E Michelin LTX M/S2; Engel MT60 Combi Fridge-Freezer; 4 BP 380J pv panels; Auragen 5kw AC gen. in top alt. position; Webasto Dual-Top; Voyager top. 1995 5.8L EB Bronco, bone stock.
E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 05:06 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: Welder

+1 on the auto darkening helmet. This is really important. Try it with a regular old school helmet and then auto darkening and you will see.

I bought a cheapo Harbor Freight model (+/-$100) and have been happy as a clam learning with it. I need a bigger, better welder now with shielding gas as I have just about worn this one out. Shielding gas will enable you to make a lot less mess (slag) and get much cleaner welds. The gun and hose/cord/whatever are coming apart on my cheapo, but it has served me well for a few years. Whatever you get, just give it a try! It really is fun. In addition to the welder itself I recommend a good auto-darkening helmet and quality gloves, and an assortment of different clamps, etc. and a decent metal table to work on. I actually have done a lot of work on an old wooden workbench but have nearly caught it on fire several times. Also, I would keep an eye out on Craigslist. If you are in a decent sized town welders are aplenty on CL. My next one will most certainly be used.

86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-06-2015, 05:22 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
Re: Welder

Quote:
Originally Posted by E350
I love this guy's videos:

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com

If you want to weld everything, tig is likely what you should put your time into learning. But I started with a big mig machine Millermatic 350P. Now I really want to weld aluminum so I am stuck with a machine that will weld aluminum but will cost about the same to set up to weld aluminum (Python push-pull gun) as a separate tig machine would cost. So a tig machine is probably in my future. Most important purchase is an autodarkening helmet. I have a Miller Titanium series helmet and like it alot.

Thanks, I sat down this afternoon and watched all his Mig basic videos. Great education! I'll be visiting a welding supply store next week and will go from there.
bshillam is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2015, 09:16 AM   #5
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: Welder

I forgot to mention that though I love to weld I completely suck at it. I suppose some take to it better than others, like most crafts. I can put things together and have never had a weld fail, but my welding is pretty ugly. If at first your projects don't look like an Aluminess bumper just keep trying and enjoy the journey!

86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2015, 10:40 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
Re: Welder

^^^ Me too. That's why I say "I am a grinder, trying to become a welder."

Once my welds are deep enough and structurally done, a little grinding (sometimes alot) to make the joint look better and it's all good.

So that's why, in addition to a 14" chop saw, you will eventually accumulate a couple of Makita 4.5" paddle switch angle grinders - one with a cutting wheel on it and the other with a grinding wheel on it.

(Once boywonder starts welding, he can school us on that too...)
__________________
2002 E350 ext.; 160K; 7.3L; 4R100 (w/4x4 deep pan & filter); 4x4 conv. w/2007 F250/F350 coil frnt axle (oppos. dual Bilstein press. shocks cured DW) diff chg from 3.55 to 3.73 (bad!); BW1356 t.c. (bad!); LT265/70R17/E Michelin LTX M/S2; Engel MT60 Combi Fridge-Freezer; 4 BP 380J pv panels; Auragen 5kw AC gen. in top alt. position; Webasto Dual-Top; Voyager top. 1995 5.8L EB Bronco, bone stock.
E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-07-2015, 05:13 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
Re: Welder

Quote:
Originally Posted by E350
^^^ Me too. That's why I say "I am a grinder, trying to become a welder."

Once my welds are deep enough and structurally done, a little grinding (sometimes alot) to make the joint look better and its all good.

So that's why, in addition to a 14" chop saw, you will eventually accumulate a couple of Makita 4.5" paddle switch angle grinders - one with a cutting wheel on it and the other with a grinding wheel on it.

(Once boywonder starts welding, he can school us on that too...)
Very true. Yep, all three of those tools are pretty handy with a welder, the angle grinder being completely a must. I have a portable bandsaw that works great for cutting angle and small pieces, since I don't have a chop saw. I'm watching CL as we speak.

86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2015, 10:43 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
Ford_6L_E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
Re: Welder

Maybe you should reconsider and look at 220V welders, you can get a much more useful welder for not much more money.

Then invest in a long extension cord for the welder. I have a 75' extension made from 10-3 SJOOW cable. The cord and the outlet/plug aren't cheap, but they greatly increase the utility of the welder. I also made my 220 outlets in the shop use the same outlet as the dryer plug in the house so can get more range out of the welder.

Mike
__________________
Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
2015 VW GTI 2020 Fiat 124 Spider
2012 E250 Hitop camper
Ford_6L_E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-08-2015, 11:02 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
E350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
Re: Welder

^^^ Yep that is also what I did. 220-240v 50 amp dryer plugs and receptacles.
You simply will not get a long enough "duty cycle" out of a 110-120v mig unit regardless of the make or model to weld very far on a joint without it losing power.
__________________
2002 E350 ext.; 160K; 7.3L; 4R100 (w/4x4 deep pan & filter); 4x4 conv. w/2007 F250/F350 coil frnt axle (oppos. dual Bilstein press. shocks cured DW) diff chg from 3.55 to 3.73 (bad!); BW1356 t.c. (bad!); LT265/70R17/E Michelin LTX M/S2; Engel MT60 Combi Fridge-Freezer; 4 BP 380J pv panels; Auragen 5kw AC gen. in top alt. position; Webasto Dual-Top; Voyager top. 1995 5.8L EB Bronco, bone stock.
E350 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-09-2015, 09:05 AM   #10
Senior Member
 
boywonder's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,045
Re: Welder

Quote:
Originally Posted by E350

(Once boywonder starts welding, he can school us on that too...)
Did I mention that I suck at welding?..........I do have a Lincoln Arc welder that I bought on Craigslist years ago, but I hesitate to weld anything that needs to be structural......I used it mainly to weld up wrought iron railings for my deck. If these were to fail, someone would plunge a good 20 inches to the ground....

....perhaps I should try a wire feed MIG welder at some point.....
__________________
2008 E350 RB passenger 4WD SMB penthouse
2013 KTM 350 EXC
2008 KTM 250 XCF-W
2003 Honda Element
boywonder is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 06:49 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.