welding newbie looking for info

[LONO100]

hey fellas, i decided that this year im going to tech myself how to do some welding. i had a few projects in mind that id like to get done including a hitch mounted tire carrier that i wanted to make, and fitting a set of rock sliders built for four door tacomas, finally re-enforcing the stamps that hold my tow hooks and possibly a skid plate. the thing is is that i usually get a buddy of mine or my buddy's buddy to do my welding, and i dont know the first thing about what type of welder will best suit my minor to moderate needs. i just want to get a nice easy set up the will enable me to learn. i was at harbor freight the other day and i was looking at some of the stuff they had there but i dont know what would be best or the most economical for me. what do i need to get and need to know before venturing off into this? any help, info and advice would be great. also, i do this a lot, but if there are any good stickies or threads that i missed or havent seen, please point me in the right direction. thank guys.

btw, moderators please move this post if its in the wrong place.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Should be in the Fabrication section. For what you wanna do you can get by with purchasing one one the 110v welders from HF. Money wise it would be cheaper to get one that doesn't require gas (it adds up refilling the tanks).

It's funny you mention welding, I might be going to school to get certified in all kinds of welding to change up my work field. I'm a OTR Truck Driver by trade but don't wanna live on the road with just having a baby boy 3.5 months ago. We'll see if financial aid and Career Links can assist me in this.

 

[LONO100]

thanks rebel, i knew you'd be able to hook it up with some info. what do you think of the brands they carry at harbor freight? also, what would be a decent price to pay for a 110v welder? and what do you think of trolling craigslist for one? good luck with getting your welding certification, im a firm believer that every person should continue to expand their education and skill sets throughout their lives. financial aid is a great way to do it. i went on financial aid during my last 2 years of college. let me know if you ever need any help or info on getting it.

 

[lounge lizard]

I have a Harbor freight welder that I use all the time. I paid $80.00 for it and it is a stick welder.
runs on 110 vac. I had to upgrade an outlet in the garage to handle the extra current. but it was very easy.

your best bet is looking at the thickness metal you can weld with the welder you may choose.

what voltage that it runs at, 110/ 220

if it comes in a kit form. welder, helmet, chipping hammer, wire brush.

a flux core mig welder from Harbor freight is nice if you can get wire for it. I have often wanted to look at one and make sure I can get wire from other manufacturers because I do not live that close to H.F.

but my hobby welder still works very well and I can weld up to 1/4" steel so I can't complain

I also have a Robotron welder that I picked up from work. it is a digital welder that pulses the current. I still have to get welders cable and hook it up.

start small money wise. and as you build experience look at welders that can do more than you need.

you will find that your first welder may be the one you depend on the most. I know I do!

 

[lounge lizard]

just read your post while I was typing mine! LOL

anywhere from $80.00 to $150.00 would be a good price for a beginners welder.

Craigslist would be a great place to look for a welder. BUT! you need to try it out before you buy it.

it has to weld a bead before I hand any money over. you might be able to pick up a nice older lincoln welder off there.

a friend picked one up for $100.00 off there and it worked great! made in the 60's and still kicked azz!

 

[MidnightRebel07]

lounge lizard hit the nail on the head.

 

[Petek]

if you want to learn how to weld, hit up a fab shop, ask if you can have some of there cut up scrap pieces (preferably 11 or 12g p/o or black steel. set them up corner to corner and weld the snot out of it. inside corners, out side corners, down hand etc etc. for equipment, get your self a decent name brand welding kit (lincoln, miller, hobart). they will more than likely come with a roll of flux core wire, which will be fine. WELD WELD WELD. ive worked in the fabrication field since i was 17, and trust me this is the best way to learn.

 

[LONO100]

thanks for all the help fellas. i really really appreciate it. i feel like i have a direction i need to go in to get the ball rolling on learning this stuff. my plan was to get some scrap metal pieces and practice practice practice first. how big of a bead capability should i be looking for in my first welder? i would like to be able to weld some rock sliders onto my frame as one of my first projects this year. after the packer giants game, ill be going to home depot to look at blinds with the mrs, so it'll be a great time to check out some welders. she was suprised i was so willing to go! thanks again fellas.

 

[lounge lizard]

you would like a welder that is capable of welding 1/4" steel, that can be plugged into 110vac


the 220vac welders are nice, but most people do not have 220 in their garage. so you would need a line run from your C.B. panel.


my opinion is a stick welder for beginners. learn how to weld with a stick and you will be able to weld with anything!

and now when you travel around watch the trash. people throw out all kinds of metal. go to mattress store and look near or in their dumpsters. you will always find old bed frames. and they work well for welding stuff up.

do not weld sliders to the frame!

bolt sliders to the frame! weld sliders up to make them, but bolt them to the frame. it will be the best move you ever made.

 

[theluke19]

I've been looking into getting a welder for a month or so now - and I'm in the same boat that LONO is. My main goal is a rear bumper/tire carrier, so I'll need to work up to that with lots of practice.

I've been reading pros and cons/watching videos/reading reviews and I think that I've finally decided on flux core with mig capability, 110v, specifically this Hobart Auto Arc 130- based on all of the above.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500549-Auto-Wire-Welder/dp/B002VECKTC/ref=sr_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1335030686&sr=1-8

It's a little more pricey than what I was originally considering (waiting for a craigslist gem, or a Harbor Freight flux/mig), but I think based on the reviews and such that I'd be more happy with this one.

What do you guys think - will it be a great entry level machine?

 

[MidnightRebel07]

I bought the HB Flux Core welder with coupon from offroading mag for $89 and had a couplon for the helmet for $35 too. They had a sale on the 6.5" angle magnets for $2 so I picked up a case as well as a couple 11" welding vise grips. I will say that other flux wire works better then the Chicago wire that comes with it. I've already done a ton of welding with it and it is great to learn on as well as build custom stuff with strong welds. I like it because it can be used on painted/ rusty metal without grinding/ cleaning although I grind down to clean metal anyway. It's perfect for outside even on windy days.

 

[theluke19]

I've been looking into getting a welder for a month or so now - and I'm in the same boat that LONO is. My main goal is a rear bumper/tire carrier, so I'll need to work up to that with lots of practice.

I've been reading pros and cons/watching videos/reading reviews and I think that I've finally decided on flux core with mig capability, 110v, specifically this Hobart Auto Arc 130- based on all of the above.

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500549-Auto-Wire-Welder/dp/B002VECKTC/ref=sr_1_8?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1335030686&sr=1-8

It's a little more pricey than what I was originally considering (waiting for a craigslist gem, or a Harbor Freight flux/mig), but I think based on the reviews and such that I'd be more happy with this one.

What do you guys think - will it be a great entry level machine?

Trying to give myself a good reason not to go on this today. (but not trying very hard )

 

[LONO100]

damn, ive been ready to get my welder for a little while now. ive been waiting for cragislist to turn up a gem for me, but i think im going to go with the one rebel put on to from harbor freight for about 90 bucks. if i dont find a gem by the weekend i think im making a trip to harbor freight.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

Make sure if you don't already get it to pick up a FourWheeling or another car/ truck magazine. They all have great HF coupons in them, most have the coupons for the welder for $89 and the helmet for $35, a welding cart, etc...

 

[Jgb6502]

Ive also been looking at getting into welding does anyone have a good beginners project suggestion i prolly wont get to it for a while and im gonna start by simplely just welding peices together and see what happens but was looking for suggestions for once i start feeling comfortable and wanna try something

 

[Jgb6502]

P.S once you get started throw some pictures up of ur welds would love to see the progress

 

[LONO100]

will do. my plan is to hold out until the weekend and see if i can find a good unit on trusty old craigslist. if not, im gonna swing over to hf with a coupon and scoop one up with a mask and a few extras. then im going to practice on some scrap metal. hopefully i can find some for free on craigslist or at the local juco welding class. im also going to hit the library up for some reading.

 

[MidnightRebel07]

For a good project you could make a welding cart out of a bed frame, I'm building one now. It's gonna be an offroad cart because I do all my welding outside and have a gravel driveway so the regular cart tires won't do. It's not gonna be the prettiest but it'll be the strongest and durable cart for going over all the bumps, etc. I have the frame of the cart done already. I already welded a tire carrier and landing gear with a 3/8" thick angle iron 4"x6" to my neighbors utility trailer.

When I get my truck back from the shop I'll be starting on the front tow hitch and tow hooks.

 

[skullver]

If you do have access to a 220V outlet, I would definitely go that route. I started out many years ago with a 110V unit, and it was ok, but I grew out of it quickly! There are tricks for welding thicker materials than it was rated for, mainly pre-heating with a torch, as well as properly beveling the joint, but once I got my Lincoln PM215, I realized how hindered I had been with the 110V machine. It was much easier to weld, any thickness material with it, it was much more steady on the thinner stuff, and burned right into the thicker stuff. Just something to think about if you have the means, and gas makes it so much cleaner, although it has to be wind free, indoor etc, else the shielding gas blows away and you get porosity. Start out with non structural stuff, welding carts, just flat peices of bar stock, paractive beveling, joint lay up, mess with the warping inherent with any weld, beat them with a hammer, break them, examine them, rinse and repeat. Best of luck!

 

[Jgb6502]

Ya my dad is an electrictian so im sure i can just tell him what i need and he will hook me up so i will deffiently try to run 220