Newbie welding questions

[Pike2350]

Ok, I am new to welding and want to gain some practice. I don't know anyone with a welder, so I have been debating on getting a cheap 110V mig/tig welder. I already know that everyone will tell me to get a 220V name brand welder, but I don't have much money nor the experience to justify one.

I figure if I bought a small one and practiced with it, then as money permits I could buy a nice name brand one. I also know there are classes to take, to learn, but due to work, my free time is limited.

Now, the question is....I am going to practice and then try my first real world application in making half doors for my Rodeo. I have a full set of doors that I am going to cut down. Would a small 110V welder be able to handle the guage sheetmetal, and what gauge sheetmetal would you recommend for this?

Sorry for the newbie post, but I thought since you guys were experienced enough to give me good insight.

Steve

 

[bobdog]

Granite Community ed has a welding class. The instruction is not much but there is plenty of time to practice and the cost is not much. Check the schedule it is at night I think. I would save and get the 220 machine. If money is an issue I would buy a stick welder and learn it first, you will be a better welder in the end.

 

[Hickey]

220, did anyone tell you that yet?

 

[Shawn]

Buy the 110, then when you get good and are ready to move up sell it to me some I can take it on trips and buy yourself a 220.


110 is fine for your first project and more.

 

[Shawn]

ps,

use 16 gage for the doors, it's a little heavy but it will take some abuse.

 

[sukaB]

Good Good I agree with BOBDOG.
remember the library too, it's limited but will give you free info for your brain....Read
Practice
have a friend that welds for a living! Do a ride along...!

RME factoid:
Did you know that shops hire untrained folks to weld and call it on the job training!!!!!!
It's not their rig plus it's cheaper...Hehehehe

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by sukaB
RME factoid:
Did you know that shops hire untrained folks to weld and call it on the job training!!!!!!

Now that's scary..

 

[sukaB]

I love the ASE certified radio adds and then you show up to the shop and their 21 with mig in hand....

That's scary and funny...

 

[Hickey]

Originally posted by Shawn
Buy the 110, then when you get good and are ready to move up sell it to me some I can take it on trips and buy yourself a 220.

You need to see my portable welder.

 

[Shawn]

Originally posted by Hickey
You need to see my portable welder.

Post a pic.

 

[muleskinner]

Bobdog is right about School and the arc, But I also agree with Shawn. If its all you can afford, I'd buy a 110. I had one for a long time and theyr'e pretty good little machines. Fun to play around with. Flux core is messy, but it's alot cheaper that buying a tank, reg, sol, etc.

 

[Pike2350]

okay, since some of you think it is fine to go with a 110V welder. Does anyone have rcommendations? I have been reading and it seems that Hobart is a good one(still a little exensive for me) I saw a cheap one at Harbor Freight. (I know Harbor Freight has some really cheap crap, but bear with me) Would it be able to hold up? In my search what are the stats that I want to keep an eye out for? Duty cycle? Amps? Volts? Which are the most critical stat for a decent welder?

Steve

 

[Greg]

If you're going with the 110, get a high quality one. Save your pennies, don't go cheap on the welder.

I'd recommend a Lincoln, a friend of mine has a 110 & uses Flux Core & it works great. He builds everything with it & never has a problem.

Check with Humphries (sp?) in AF. I got my 220v Lincon there for less than $600. 110 Lincolns are probably around $500.

 

[troutbum]

Millermatic 135 has done me pretty good

 

[RockMonkey]

The thing is, you're gonna spend 500 bones on a quality 110 mig, and if you're spending that kinda money you might as well shop around an get a 220 for a good deal. I paid $520 for my Hobart 175 with no tax and free shipping. Either get a super cheap stick welder for about 100 bones, and learn with that, or save up and buy the welder that you really want. No sense in spending four or five hundred bucks just to turn around and spend another six hundred a year later.

 

[Pike2350]

Originally posted by RockMonkey
The thing is, you're gonna spend 500 bones on a quality 110 mig, and if you're spending that kinda money you might as well shop around an get a 220 for a good deal. I paid $520 for my Hobart 175 with no tax and free shipping. Either get a super cheap stick welder for about 100 bones, and learn with that, or save up and buy the welder that you really want. No sense in spending four or five hundred bucks just to turn around and spend another six hundred a year later.

to be honest, I hadn't thought about a quality 110 costing so much. I did see a Hobart 125 online somwhere for just under $350. I was hoping to use a piece of junk Harbor Freight "Chicago Electric" one for around $150.(it was even gasless) I have seen a cheap arc welder, but I am completely lost when it comes to the use of an arc welder. The more I look around, the more I realize what you said might be the way to go.

 

[bobdog]

Originally posted by Pike2350


I am completely lost when it comes to the use of an arc welder.

I really think that people should learn to weld with a stick. I actually beleive that everyone should learn to weld with gas first.

 

[muleskinner]

Originally posted by bobdog


I really think that people should learn to weld with a stick. I actually beleive that everyone should learn to weld with gas first.

I agree. Thats how I learned also. I think Acetylene welding is why I picked up TIG welding so fast. I thought the 110V WF where only like $300 for a Lincoln... (At least thats what mine was 10-12 years ago) But thats also a good point, $300 is not far from just going $500......I sold my old AC/DC Arc last spring for $100. Look for a used welder.

 

[BOB-CAT]

My 2 cents, some things to think about if you purchase a 200 plus amp MIG you have some good options.
1. most retailers will finance it for 3 or 4 months for 25% down and 25% per month. So by January you own a quality machine that will do anything you can think of.
2. I am looking at a NORTHERN TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT catalog and they are advertising a Hobart Iron Man 210 for 178$ per month if you can wait for shipping ??
3. Call all the local Lincoln dealers in SLC and ask for the best price and if they will finance it for free (if you do not have bad credit). You will be suprised to see that you can take a Lincoln power mig 200, a roll of wire and a tank for small amount out of your pocket and take a lunch to work for the next couple months and you will end up with an awesome tool

 

[Caleb]

Originally posted by bobdog


I really think that people should learn to weld with a stick. I actually beleive that everyone should learn to weld with gas first.

words of wisdom...I spout off so much about welding I was trying to keep quiet on this one, BUT...no one deserves a mig till you know how to SMAW and OXY/ACET...I too think that I have picked up TIG so quickley cause I knew how to do oxy/acet...basically its the same thing but with a little better control with TIG...if you have an arc already then I would learn on that...get some reading material if you dont have time to take a class (which I would highly suggest doing) and learn properly...My first MIG was a Lincoln 110V and it was fine but I grew outta it so quickly its not really funny...I paid about $400 for it and its still going for around $375 new...I would look for used and get a good machine that will last ya...the deals are out there...my company bought a MM251 (the newest version) used (hardly) for $600 from praxair...talk to some of the sales guys and get them looking for you...they take trades all the time and if they know they have it sold then you can usually get a better price on it...