welding/metal work

[hammermachine]

Question. There's a good deal at Eastwood for a tig welder & plasma cutter combo deal. I never used either tool, but in a few weeks I will be working on my K5. I know I can use the plasma to cut new steel replacements. But can you use it to cut the rot out?

 

[ktmoutfront]

Yep. You have to turn the power down to not cut through multiple layers. Works nice. I would practice on crap sheet metal first.

 

[hammermachine]

Welders

I just watched a Eastwood vid on the tools. I might stay with a Mig instead. Which would be cheaper in a combo with the cutter.

 

[ktmoutfront]

Definately buy the mig first. TIG is really nice, I have one. But mig is quicker to learn. Cheaper to run and welds faster. Which mig are you looking at?

 

[Deuling]

Is the quality vs price really worth buying an eastwood labeled china brand?

Or for a little more can you buy a higher quality machine?

 

[Greg72]

Plasma is a luxury item.

Given the choice between a cheap plasma/cheap welder combo vs. a high quality welder, I'd take the welder every time.

Even a used welder is fine... Get a good brand (Lincoln, Miller, etc) and you'll be a lot happier.... Trying to learn how to weld while also struggling with a poor quality welder is going to be frustrating.

-G

 

[British Slave]

Read the reviews on the Eastwood plasma cutter. It's on sale right now for $499, and that sounds like a good price. But reading the reviews, it has a high rating, BUT it seems as though every buyer had to have the unit replaced multiple times before getting one that was reliable. Most complaints came from slow customer service. They all said when they contacted the tech support, they got voice mail or no reply by e-mail for a week or more. Eastwood replaced the units without question but was slow to respond. I was going to buy one but I'm scared of having to have it replaced multiple times like most buyers did. I would rather pay a little more for one that has a proven track record.

 

[fabjunkie]

Check out Longevity. I've had the older version of their 40D Plasma for about five years and have used the sh!t out of it. Cuts better than some name brand ones I've used. Same price range and you can get consumables at HF.

 

[hammermachine]

Info

Good info guys, a lot to think about. The first and last welder i bought was a Firepower Mig welder. The wire wheel feeder had a "plastic" tensioner wheel which of course BROKE. Maybe I should get a quality welder and be done with it. I want to use it for the rust holes in my K5 and eventually for some "art" fabrications. I have some planning to do.

 

[herkdriver007]

I have a longevity machine for stick/tig/plasma. Not a bad little unit for the $$ IMO. It won't win any awards for duty cycle, but as long as you take care of it, should last a while.