Attention Welders: Help with choosing welding equipment.

[bluerealm]

Well, I think its time I started doing some welding. I'm going to attempt a new vac table and need to make some frame parts out of metal.

Does anyone have any suggestions on what welder I should purchase? I've been looking at the ones at home depot and I think I’m going to go for the Lincoln Electric Weld Pak 100HD. I can use it on a normal 115 wall socket in the shop. And I don’t think I’ll ever be doing any hardcore metals.

I learned how to weld in high school, but that was an arc welder so, I'm hoping the basics will translate. Does anyone have any info that could help me make my decision?

 

[LordFett]

The more you spend, the better the machine. I am going to school right now for welding. MIG is a ton easier then stick, cleaner too. When you're looking make sure the machine can take a gas tank to use for shielding gas, otherwise you have to use flux cored wire. If you do get one that can take a tank, make sure it comes with a regulator.

Miller has a generic brand, I can't think of the name right now but they're white vs miller's red and much cheaper. They're basically a year behind miller's top model but much cheaper.

Everyone suggests getting a 220 machine. But if you're only doing light stuff then a 115 might do you. Just don't try and overwork it.

 

[bluerealm]

Great thanks for the help.


Well there is this Mig at sears that runs on 115v and has gas/no gas, and welds mild steal up to 1/4.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00920502000P

What do you think about this one?

 

[pennausamike]

Great thanks for the help.


Well there is this Mig at sears that runs on 115v and has gas/no gas, and welds mild steal up to 1/4.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00920502000P

What do you think about this one?

That's a good unit.
But always use gas for better welds.

For me, an auto-darkening helmet is a MUST!
Especially doing TIG work, but even with MIG,
the auto-darkening helmet gives you far superior control over the start of your weld.

Mike

 

[bluerealm]

That's a good unit.
But always use gas for better welds.

For me, an auto-darkening helmet is a MUST!
Especially doing TIG work, but even with MIG,
the auto-darkening helmet gives you far superior control over the start of your weld.

Mike

Great... then I will try that guy. Another nube question... where do you buy the gas from? What does it usually run?

Also there are a ton of options when it comes to wire. Since I'm not familiar with the different types do you mind giving me the run down? All I’ve ever used in the past is the welding rods. This new fangled mig technology is blowing my mind : )

 

[cheech9898]

The thing to remember with regular wall outlet powered machines is they're really limited in duty cycle. And they're fine for 18-22g sheet metal and welding 1/8 bar stock or angle but not good for thicker material especially if its going to be structural (unless you preheat with a torch). The rule with welders is always buy the next size bigger than what you think you'll need.
The thing also about the box store welders is alot of their internal coils are aluminum instead of copper with many of the box store models or brands, so ultimately their lifespan is shorter as well as duty cycle as the result of going with the aluminum windings.


My advice is to find a welding dealer and go in and see about demo'ing a few models and see if they can come close to the H.D. (or other box store's) price. You may find they can get really close with everything included plus gas cost and you'll get the bonus of if you have any problems you can talk with them. Alot of the welding supply shops around here have an attitude of brushing off people that didn't make the welder purchase with them or backburning warrantee repairs from the box stores. Alot of welding supply shops have leased equipment for sale too that they offer a comparable used warranty to the new warranty also.


As far as the gas cylinders it really varies by region on cost. Look up 'welding supplies' in the yellow book to find dealers to get gas from. You can rent/lease the cylinder or buy a small one outright. I have a little one I bought for my old Miller Challenger (220v outlet) that lasts about 2hrs total weld time and I think it was like $25 last fill up for Argon/CO2 mix, don't remember the exact amount I paid for the cylinder but I think it was in the $120 range (got it years ago). For my Miller Syncrowave 200 TIG I have a larger leased bottle (the one that's about 4 foot tall). 10 year lease for @150 bucks and last fill up of straight Argon for it was @$40 tax included.

 

[bluerealm]

Well The only reason I'm getting it is to so little house hold repairs and hobby stuff. I seriously doubt i'm every going to be welding structural parts or anything big. I've got some square bar that I need to weld up for some frame parts for the vac table, So I think I might be ok. Thanks for all the help answering the questions.