Welding questions...

[Wulf]

This should be in the right place, it's fab related

I've been wanting to learn to weld for a while now, and I figured I might as well make that happen. I've been looking at welders, and I can't afford to wire in another 220v circuit, so it seems like 115 is the best option for me, plus it's more versatile. I'll probably start with flux core welding for simplicity, and then add the gas/regulator/whatever else for MIG.

Looking at these two welders, is the 125 enough, or should I get the 140? Should I look at a different one altogether? I plan on doing simple things (bbq smoker, gokart, as well as various things on mah heep.

140: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...6073_200306073
125: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...Product%20Page

What about gas, wire, etc, where do you guys here on the western slope buy that stuff? Where do I buy metal from?

[Clint]

rule of thumb, go with the biggest welder/setup you can afford, cause eventually you will wish you had. The 140 will work for alot of stuff.

High Country is where I go, 100% of the time. Shannon and the folks down there are good to work with and always treat people well. Steel from Bonner or sometimes Western Slope Iron, depending on what Im looking for.

[SuperDave]

There is still a spool of flux core in my 220.

I have seen people weld stuff with a 110 that held together in conditions I never would have expected. with a 110 your prep work has to be spot on. In theory it should be with the 220 as well but it burns hot enough I get lazy at times.

[POS]

I would suggest the 140amp one, stick with hobart/miller, or lincoln, all the other 120vt welders suck.

biggest down fall to the 120volt welders is there duty cycle is really short on the highest setting, and make sure you have a 20amp breaker if you wanna run it on high range

[Phil]

ive welded with that hobart, and i didnt like it, lack of settings and weak penatration.
ive got a lincoln 140c with gas, about $200 more, and its well worth the extra cash
they say hobart is just a repackeged miller, but i call bull. go with lincoln or miller if u want a quality welder.

[Phil]

if u want to try the hobart 140, my friend just down the street has one, then u can try my lincoln 140c and see whick one u like better.

[dezrik]

I like my hobart 187, its 220v and was $891 out the door on sale

Buy the biggest one you can afford is what my welding buddy said to me when i was looking for a welder.

[Wardenbf]

Originally Posted by rock solid

...
they say hobart is just a repackeged miller, but i call bull. go with lincoln or miller if u want a quality welder.

My Hobart 187 has Miller stamped into the gun. It might not be a repackeaged Miller, but Miller is definitely involved in their production somewhere. I picked mine up from Murdoch's when they had them on sale about six months ago and it seems like it was only about $550 or so. The 187 comes set up for gas, but doesn't include any bottle. The bottle might be the price difference between my setup and Dezrik's.

[dezrik]

yup the price difference is the bottle, I bought one of those flashy aluminum bottles , $180 and its not one of the lease ones.

[lineforeman99]

Just bought a Hobart 187 added the gas. I am new at welding. I tried other brands and for the money and quality this welder suits me fine. If you are not making a living with it you don't have to spend a lot of money to do what you want. Hobart is a Miller with different paint on the outside. At least that is what I was told by two different retailers.

[POS]

Originally Posted by lineforeman99

Just bought a Hobart 187 added the gas. I am new at welding. I tried other brands and for the money and quality this welder suits me fine. If you are not making a living with it you don't have to spend a lot of money to do what you want. Hobart is a Miller with different paint on the outside. At least that is what I was told by two different retailers.

well that is troof, hobart was bought out by miller(from what I heard) a few years back, had a lil hobart several years ago, worked great, course I wouldn't weld important suspension stuff with lil 110, I'd get a bigger welder for something like that

[Wulf]

Originally Posted by POS

well that is troof, hobart was bought out by miller(from what I heard) a few years back, had a lil hobart several years ago, worked great, course I wouldn't weld important suspension stuff with lil 110, I'd get a bigger welder for something like that

I wouldn't trust myself with important stuff like that anyway--I would be doing stuff like repairing rust, fixing small things (extracting broken bolts--FTL), tube fenders, a winch bumper, center console, etc

Do I need to take a class to learn (like everyone says, mostly people who don't weld, lol) or can I learn on my own? I don't think I need to take a class unless I'm learning stick welding or something like that.

Anyone else have anything to say on the lincoln vs hobart thing? I can't find much about the lincoln 140 compared to the hobart. As far as the hobart goes, there are several people on pbb who have hobart 140s.

[Clint]

you can learn on your own if you choose, or take a class, it really depends on your aptitude for this kind of thing. If you have NO reference as far as where to start, you will spend alot of time fiddling around learning about voltage and speeds vs learning how to weld. A class or book gets you to the point of knowing those things so you can concentrate on welding

[POS]

Originally Posted by Wulf

I wouldn't trust myself with important stuff like that anyway--I would be doing stuff like repairing rust, fixing small things (extracting broken bolts--FTL), tube fenders, a winch bumper, center console, etc

Do I need to take a class to learn (like everyone says, mostly people who don't weld, lol) or can I learn on my own? I don't think I need to take a class unless I'm learning stick welding or something like that.

Anyone else have anything to say on the lincoln vs hobart thing? I can't find much about the lincoln 140 compared to the hobart. As far as the hobart goes, there are several people on pbb who have hobart 140s.

if there's a class you can take go for it, you'll learn alot, if not I suggest finding someone to show you the basics first, then you need to practice alot and you'll be good

[jr4x]

When I bought my lincoln 110 the 140 wasnt out yet so I have a lincoln sp135. I have built my whole jeep with it suspension steering motor mounts body mounts bumpers etc and built the samurai(s) with it too. I took two classes first then worked at a machine/fab shop and really learned to weld there. I tried millers hobarts and lincolns before I bought my own and thought that I welded the best with the lincoln so thats what I went with. I have a friend that can lay a sweet bead with his miller though so I wouldnt count them out.

[The StRanger]

I got a basic Mac 110 MIG
Its great for basic welding
If Im doin frame and sesp. I call my buddy andy
He welds on stock cars

[Tommy]

I took classes in HS and then didn't weld for a few years. So I bought a cheap craftsman flux core welder and re-taught myself. Then when I was confident I bought a miller sp135 used off craigslist for $500 with a cart and extra parts, tips, wire and what not. I would troll craigslist to see if there is any good deals. But I would recomend a class or two just cause you will spend some good money on wire and steel trying to teach your self. Or I would bet one of those nice western slope guys would be willing to teach you.

[Wulf]

There is a "welding" class at the community college, except I probably wouldn't be able to take it until next year, because my class schedule is full as it is-no electives to drop... doesn't seem too focused on welding, based on the description, it covers hydraulics, pneumatics, robotics, etc...

If someone would be willing to give me a crash course in welding, that would be awesome

[Wulf]

Thinking about it, I may to be able to use the 220v dryer hookup if I can find an extension cord...

In that case, I would probably get this refurb HH187

http://www.toolking.com/hobart-50052...welder-a-stock


Yes? No?

[dezrik]

If you go through meeker ever I'll let you test the hh187 I made my own extention cord and I hook it up to my range plugin it's been working so far

[Wulf]

If anyone's gonna be around saturday morning and doing any welding, mind if I come over and hang out and watch? I can read all I want, but my mom won't let me buy anything until someone who welds explains what I need, basics of technique and getting started, stuff like that...

You don't have to teach me per se, just explain some of the stuff, (most likely to mah mom since she'll probably be coming) so my mom is reassured that I know something of value--not just some theory from a book or the internet





I know it's a lot to ask so I understand if you don't want to help some kid out

[Clint]

Originally Posted by Wulf

If anyone's gonna be around saturday morning and doing any welding, mind if I come over and hang out and watch? I can read all I want, but my mom won't let me buy anything until someone who welds explains what I need, basics of technique and getting started, stuff like that...

You don't have to teach me per se, just explain some of the stuff, (most likely to mah mom since she'll probably be coming) so my mom is reassured that I know something of value--not just some theory from a book or the internet





I know it's a lot to ask so I understand if you don't want to help some kid out

Im sure Ill be in the shop all weekend, or most of it. Gimme a call sat morning, leave a message if I dont answer. More than welcome to come by. 970 64o 3o27

[Wulf]

mind pming me your address for google maps?

[Wulf]

bummer

my best friend's brother is back from afghanistan and he's getting married saturday so I won't be able to make it over saturday morning


I guess we'll have to work something out at a better time if that's cool with you... I probably will be busy for the next few weeks to a couple of months, I don't know right now though...

[Clint]

bummer, just hollar when ya have some free time and we can set something up.

[dezrik]

If your welding two pieces of metal together and one is 1/4" and the other is 1/8" Do you setup the welder for the 1/8 or the 1/4??

[Wulf]

Originally Posted by dezrik

If your welding two pieces of metal together and one is 1/4" and the other is 1/8" Do you setup the welder for the 1/8 or the 1/4??

Don't you set it up for the thicker one, and drag the puddle across? Something like that?

[POS]

Originally Posted by dezrik

If your welding two pieces of metal together and one is 1/4" and the other is 1/8" Do you setup the welder for the 1/8 or the 1/4??

depends on the welder, lil 110 welder you better have crancked up to put enough heat into the 1/4"

and like wulf said, you basic spend more time on the 1/4" and then pull puddle into 1/8" piece.

think of it this way, since one material is twice as thick as the other, you spend 2/3 the time on the thicker material and 1/3 on the thinner material. for each puddle

[dezrik]

Thanks Ill give it a go, I burned some of my brackets a little hot and it was making holes , My welding buddy is coming over in a couple of days to help me get the hang of it. im in the same boat as Wulf except I have a welder i bought to play with

[POS]

Originally Posted by dezrik

Thanks Ill give it a go, I burned some of my brackets a little hot and it was making holes , My welding buddy is coming over in a couple of days to help me get the hang of it. im in the same boat as Wulf except I have a welder i bought to play with

it's all practice practice practice, most folks think they can just pick up a welder and go. you can't unless your really lucky.