Welder question?

[mikey]

I'm definitely a low budget do-it-yourselfer, and I want to start doing some light duty welding. I really like some of the projects I've seen you guys come up with like the racks for the UTV's, the stand frames and so forth.
Can anyone recommend a fairly inexpensive welder for small projects!? I'm new to welding so I don't know if I need stick, MIG, what amps so forth. I would really appreciate some advice.

[MikeJ]

MIG is easy to learn, and works great for small projects like feeders, ATV racks, etc. Lincoln and Hobart both make nice, inexpensive wire feed welders.

Lincoln's AC ARC machines perform better on old rusty iron typically used on larger projects, due to deeper penetration. If you want to build a trailer or BBQ pit out of scrap, stick is the way to go.

[mikey]

Thanks for the info.!

[jgard]

if you are new to welding i would lean more towards wire feed it is a lot easier to earn how to do and the machines are very versatile and can do a wide range of projects with them

[crow]

mig you can really only use if your in a shop or somewhere out of the wind other wise the wind will blow your gas away. go with a gas powered welder that you can take anywhere and weld. of corse youll need a small trailer to keep it on. might as well add a cuttin rig if your gonna do that.

[brushtrooper]

I had a Lincoln 110v wire feed from Homedepot. It was like 329.00,loved it --more than worth the $$. I used the .035 fluxcore wire, no gas needed with fluxcore wire. You will get abit more splatter than welding with gas, but you can weld in high winds etc.
A wire feed is easier to learn on than a stick IMO. I was comfortable upto 3/16" thick with the 110v Lincoln, but I mainly used it for thinner stuff and my 220v stick for thicker stuff. I would stay away from the Harbor Frieght and off brands myself.

[tobyb2007]

Lincoln makes great welders and miller is good to. Hobart make a decent mig for a good price. If you're just starting mig is easier to learn but won't hold as well as a stick on thick stuff. It all depends on what you will be welding and how serious you are about it

[Problem Child]

welder

X2 on what Brushtrooper said. It sound like a small wire feed unit with Fluxcore wire is what you need. The 4000# feeder in my avator was built with a wire feed unit and flux core wire that I had bought for Home Depot. I think I payed ~$400.00 for the welding unit. If I remember correctly it was a Lincoln 145 or 175 either way it welded the 3/16" material (thickest stuff I used) with no problems.

Just rememebr to get you some good welding gloves, welding hood, safety glasses (for grinding), a 4" grinder is big enough for small projects, square (large and small), clamps and either a abrasive chop saw or a band saw.


Good luck with your projects and remember Post pictures on your projects

[hotdog]

Mig welders need clean metal to do a good job. Ture they are easy to learn how to weld. If you are going to use junk metal or rusty or painted metal you need to stick weld. A 6011 welding rod is a good all purpose rod. Like anything else partice. Good luck and enjoy!!

[warrington]

There is a you tube course on welding. The guy is excellent, I do not know the name but just check mig welding and you will get alot of info on you tube.

[BrianL]

Everyone says MIG is the easiest to learn, but I got an old cracker box stick welder(Lincoln) and also borrowed my dad's Lincoln 110 MIG welder. To me the stick was much easier to learn to weld with. I was always changing metal thickness and could never get the penetration right with the MIG, feed speed never seemed to be at the speed I wanted. Had a pretty bead with the MIG, but never the correct depth. I would suggest a Lincoln Cracker Box. Look in pawn shops. I bought mine with 40' of leads for $200.00 at a pawn shop.

[BrianL]

Can anyone recommend a fairly inexpensive welder for small projects!? I'm new to welding so I don't know if I need stick, MIG, what amps so forth. I would really appreciate some advice.

I went to Atwoods and they had a little pamplet from Hobart, that had a chart on what size rods and the amps. to set your welder on. It was a great help when I was first started.

[BrianL]

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/electrodes-wire/electrode-chart/

[October madman]

I had a Lincoln 110v wire feed from Homedepot. It was like 329.00,loved it --more than worth the $$. I used the .035 fluxcore wire, no gas needed with fluxcore wire. You will get abit more splatter than welding with gas, but you can weld in high winds etc.
A wire feed is easier to learn on than a stick IMO. I was comfortable upto 3/16" thick with the 110v Lincoln, but I mainly used it for thinner stuff and my 220v stick for thicker stuff. I would stay away from the Harbor Frieght and off brands myself.

Some of the flux cores do require gas. You will need to check with the dealer to see if the wire you purchase requires gas. A good site to visit www.millerwelds.com

[txfireguy2003]

I LOVE MIG welding, it's so easy, and it's how I learned. That said, the first welder I bought for myself was a stick welder. For me it's more versatile, I can weld from 14ga (thinner if I'm really careful and get the super small rods) all the way up to 1/4" plus. Even more with multiple passes. In addition to that, I can weld outdoors in the wind without problems and weld on old rusty metal all day long. It's a bit harder to get good at, but they all take practice.