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03-06-2015, 12:57 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
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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.
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03-06-2015, 01:26 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
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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.
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03-06-2015, 05:06 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,277
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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.
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03-06-2015, 05:22 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Portland, Oregon
Posts: 179
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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.
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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.
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03-07-2015, 09:16 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,277
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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!
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03-07-2015, 10:40 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
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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.
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03-07-2015, 05:13 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,277
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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...)
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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.
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03-08-2015, 10:43 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Washington - Ridgefield
Posts: 4,728
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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
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Alaska to Key West, Labrador and more
Prostate cancer survivor. See Thread Prostate cancer and Sportsmobiles
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03-08-2015, 11:02 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Sacramento Delta, CA
Posts: 1,024
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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.
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03-09-2015, 09:05 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: So Cal
Posts: 4,103
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Re: Welder
Quote:
Originally Posted by E350
(Once boywonder starts welding, he can school us on that too...)
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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
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