As many of you already already know, I'm only 16, but i'm starting my second project this summer, Project Charlie Daniels. I'm going to be doing a lot of welding with my friends, and have a couple experienced friends willing to teach me (one w/ 8 years experience, one with 45 years experience) but they aren't in town now. This project will be a ground up project starting with nothing more than some I beams and a large chop saw. To connect the beams I've been planning on welding plate steel to the end and bolting it together. I need STRONG welds, not necessarily pretty. What kind of welder should I look for. I'll be searching for old welders, maybe eBay, maybe classifieds, who knows, but what kind of welder would be optimum? Gas? Wire? MIG? Arc? Stick? TIG? Thanks for the help.
CK5
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Welder Shopping
- Thread starter BowtieRed
- Start date
B
BowtieGuy3
Guest
I just LOVE the lil 220v Lincoln we use at our race shop. I'm not sure what exact model it is, but it's been a super trooper for quite a number of years now...
Check this place out, they should have answers to any and all questions you might have over the matter.
Lincoln Welders
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Check this place out, they should have answers to any and all questions you might have over the matter.
Lincoln Welders
/forums/images/graemlins/usaflag.gif
anybody else?
i don't know that much about welders, but harbor freight has a pretty good selection, and decent prices on them.
i mean what types- i'm not going to have enough money to buy a new one.
zcarczar
1/2 ton status
Stick with Lincoln or Miller. Those are the two most popular brands and have used both, and they work awesome. Also if your going to be welding thicker than 3/16" material you may want to look into a stick because it is easier to get good penetrationg thus creating a strong weld. But with a MIG you can do thin stuff like sheet metal and do the thick stuff if you get the proper machine. Also stick with 220V since you will be doing thicker material.
Bowtiered, with your experience, no pun, I'd recommend a stick. Especially for frame work. They're cheap and u can visually see a poor weld from a good weld. They're not as easy to use as a mig, that's why when u get a pretty bead w/a stick, u know penetration's good. Mig is a better "all-around" welder, more versatile. But can "fool" u w/regards to penetration. Most mig welds "look" good unless u really butcher it. Tig is an excellent choice, but takes more practice and $$$$ (lots of$$$$). Tig also requires super cleanliness, something usually lacking in the garage (at least mine). Get a "buzz box" peferably w/ac & dc so u can run 7018 rod. I think u'll be happy. Check on Int'l Full Size Jeep Assoc. (IFSJA.org), there was a couple of guys who would probably give u their welders if u ask. Good luck, and practice, Tom.
Desert Rat
Fetch the comfy chair
I bought a Millermatic 175 in 230 volt and I absolutely love it.
If you are not an experienced welder you will find it easier to learn MIG than any of the other processes. Get a 230 volt machine, Lincoln or Miller, your choice. Have your experienced buddies show you the basics. Yes, with Mig you can put down a weld that is "cold" and didn't penetrate, but that is where your friends experience will come in. If you are welding thick material then switch away from solid wire (MIG) and use a dual shield wire. It takes a bit of practice to learn to use this wire in any position but flat but it does penetrate and gives a very pretty strong weld... Overall a wire machine is more flexable than any of the other choices........ My .02 cents.
Richard
Richard
