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thext94 Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2010 Posts: 1003 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:35 pm Post subject: Good first welder... |
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I've practiced welding a couple times now at my friends garage and am not too bad, but it sucks having to drive over there just to practice. So I want to get my own to start doing small projects and practicing even more. What kind of welders are you guys using? What's a good starter welder? I want something that will be able to weld tubing sufficiently sized for a cage, but also able to weld sheet metal or cosmetic stuff. But I'd also like o not go too expensive...any suggestions?
Thanks,
Tyler |
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STOICH Samba Member
Joined: November 26, 2004 Posts: 1100 Location: Fallbrook
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:42 pm Post subject: |
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the most simple welder I have found is the Lincolns from home depot, not too expensive of a start at about $300.00 upgrade to gas for about $100.00... I have since upgrade to the 220 welder for about $600.00
not too many gauges to screw with, and if its not too windy, they weld like the dickens.. I will always buy this brand again... _________________ My classifieds
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/search.php?username=stoich |
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thext94 Samba Member
Joined: April 11, 2010 Posts: 1003 Location: Manhattan Beach, CA
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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STOICH wrote: |
the most simple welder I have found is the Lincolns from home depot, not too expensive of a start at about $300.00 upgrade to gas for about $100.00... I have since upgrade to the 220 welder for about $600.00
not too many gauges to screw with, and if its not too windy, they weld like the dickens.. I will always buy this brand again... |
Forgot to mention I want a MIG, but I guess that was kind of implied as it will be my first welder. Thanks stoich, I'll check out the Lincoln, I've heard good things. I'd be starting with flux-core, and then eventually upgrading to gas in the distant future if I decide I really need it. |
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pafree Samba Member
Joined: August 16, 2005 Posts: 2298 Location: dayton, the one in texas
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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i have been happy with my Hobart 125 with gas but wish i would have saved a couple extra bucks for the 135. |
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77charger Samba Member
Joined: November 12, 2005 Posts: 1492
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:18 pm Post subject: |
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Go with a name brand,Lincoln,miller hobart,etc.
I have a 120 volt century mig i bought years ago IMO it does fine for tacking other than that its a pile.I prefer to use my lincoln arc welder it does really good for thicker steel i am working on using it for thinner stuff. _________________ Click to view image
Bugpack 4 seater rail
2275 built by me
Auto linea alm case,82 dpr crank wedgemated by DK machine
cb 5.4 h beams,12 pound DPR f/w,Slr xv294cam,cb straight cuts,hpmx 44s,40x35 heads ported by brothers machine |
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JDub113 Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2009 Posts: 758 Location: Reno
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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I got my Lincoln 225 used for 80 bucks. Sweet deal and should be able to do all those things you mentioned. _________________ 84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy |
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1970DARKNESS Samba Member
Joined: April 29, 2006 Posts: 59 Location: Placerville, CA
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 10:50 pm Post subject: |
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Hobart 140 works great all the way to 1/4". Comes set up for gas or fluxcore. |
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XR250rdr Samba Member
Joined: November 14, 2010 Posts: 8 Location: CA
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Posted: Wed Feb 09, 2011 11:23 pm Post subject: |
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77charger wrote: |
Go with a name brand,Lincoln,miller hobart,etc.
I have a 120 volt century mig i bought years ago IMO it does fine for tacking other than that its a pile.I prefer to use my lincoln arc welder it does really good for thicker steel i am working on using it for thinner stuff. |
I agree completely.
I recently bought a Millermatic 180. It wasn't cheap but it works beautifully and I know I will be able to get replacement parts for years to come if something does break on it. |
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thesatelliteguy Samba Member
Joined: January 06, 2007 Posts: 1515 Location: Santa Rosa CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:13 am Post subject: |
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Save up and buy a nice one. Your going to have it for years, and for the most part, your going to be building safety with it (your cage). I paid $580 somthing for my home depot lincoln 140HD and it does a pretty good job, and i dont even have it hooked up for gas yet. _________________ Toyotas are so bumpy it makes me sick, literally.
My build Page http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=383878 |
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traviswx1 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Lodi, CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:30 am Post subject: |
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Im using a lincoln ac dc stick(arc) welder! And I dont recommend it for a beginner. But you can make it work if you get good. and they are the cheapest out there. Thick stuff is easy but rollcages are tougher. _________________ 69 Baja, 091, 2x3, cage, 1600dp, bj front, and a sh!t load of labor! |
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JDub113 Samba Member
Joined: June 08, 2009 Posts: 758 Location: Reno
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:30 am Post subject: |
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Does anybody have a few good resources for welding safety? I'm thinking of electric shock in ARC welding mostly... I was planning on welding my luggage area in certain spots and I just want to know how to avoid hurting myself. How am I supposed to weld in the middle of the baja safely?
I just found this link, but please add anything you think may be helpful.
http://www.ic.polyu.edu.hk/new/Facilities/d3/ee/KennethReport2k0208.pdf _________________ 84 Wolfsburg Edition Westy |
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petrol punk Samba Member
Joined: August 21, 2007 Posts: 975 Location: Las Vegas, NV
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 12:58 am Post subject: |
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I'd suggest waiting for a big 3 220 to pop up on craigslist. You shouldn't have a problem with shocking yourself with a mig as it only applies current while you're pulling the trigger. Wear your gloves and you'll be fine. TIG is where you have to be careful, but unless you have the amps turned way up all it'll do is give your heart a kick start. _________________ 36hp '56 European DeLuxe oval, '70 bug 1835cc dual 36DRLA, and a '98 4x4 5spd single cab Tacoma
Last edited by petrol punk on Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:01 am; edited 1 time in total |
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traviswx1 Samba Member
Joined: August 24, 2005 Posts: 79 Location: Lodi, CA
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:01 am Post subject: |
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JDub113 wrote: |
Does anybody have a few good resources for welding safety? I'm thinking of electric shock mostly... I was planning on welding my luggage area in certain spots and I just want to know how to avoid hurting myself. How am I supposed to weld in the middle of the baja safely?
I just found this link, but please add anything you think may be helpful.
http://www.ic.polyu.edu.hk/new/Facilities/d3/ee/KennethReport2k0208.pdf |
As long as your not standing in a puddle barefoot on the inside of your baja shock shouldnt be too much of a problem. Electricity follows the path of least resistence and flesh doesnt flow too well. But I have been shocked with an arc welder, but i touched the ground and the tip of the welding rod with one hand. it was a wake up call, but didnt damage anything. Plus I was welding 1/2 inch plate and had the welder turned up to about 80 amps. _________________ 69 Baja, 091, 2x3, cage, 1600dp, bj front, and a sh!t load of labor! |
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ts39136 Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2010 Posts: 735 Location: Pocatello, Idaho
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 1:15 am Post subject: |
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JDub113 wrote: |
Does anybody have a few good resources for welding safety? I was planning on welding my luggage area in certain spots and I just want to know how to avoid hurting myself. How am I supposed to weld in the middle of the baja safely?
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Don't forget to keeep your pant legs over your boots, it really hurts when a drop of splatter gets inside. I use an old piece of thick leather to cover my lap any time I'm sitting and welding. And a big ol fan blowing in one side of the car and out the other to keep the smoke out. And don't put the hot tip onto your cloth seats. It makes holes really quickly. And don't wear ear plugs so you can tell when your sleeve is on fire. _________________ My Build Page |
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Ken48442 Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2010 Posts: 112 Location: Holly, MI
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:38 am Post subject: |
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I bought a mig welder from Eastwood. I got it on sale for $269. Sign up for their e mails because they run specials on them from time to time. I havent seen them for 269 again but I do see them for 299 with free shipping. It comes with the gas guage too. It has done everything I need it to do on the bug and then some. I am by no means a professional welder but I have used other welders (lincoln, miller) and this one seems to perform just as well. Check out the web site and decide for yourself. |
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58Dub Samba Member
Joined: June 02, 2004 Posts: 1713 Location: Davison, MI
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 4:56 am Post subject: |
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There is a good thread on the paint/body section for this topic. I've tried the cheap route...and they can't compare to my Miller _________________ 58 Beetle (now just a pile of parts in the corner)
60 Beetle (2221 turbo under construction)
70 Beetle Baja project |
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sloboatnova Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2009 Posts: 989 Location: Broken Arrow, Ok
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 6:46 am Post subject: |
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I've used lincoln and miller. I like the miller much more. I felt the trigger control was much better and it seems easier to set up. I have a millermatic 140. It also has an automatic set for speed and amp. the auto setup works good for sheetmetal applications. _________________ Ms Hoover, I glued my head to my shoulder.
3BT Baja build page
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=417564&highlight=3bt+baja |
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stever70 Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2009 Posts: 302 Location: california
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:27 am Post subject: |
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I am running the Miller DVI, which is nice since it will run on 110 or 220. I always use 220. sometimes in life you get what you pay for. Try finding a nice used one versus a new cheap one, you WONT regret having the nicer equipment. As far as gas versus flux, I am really a fan of using gas. Also, try going to the local welding supply shop. i have always found them to be helpful and knowledgeable. Let them know what you want to do with it now and in the future. They can give you the pros and cons of different machines. Good luck, and start burning some metal _________________ my build log
http://offroadvwbus.blogspot.com/ |
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Russ Wolfe Samba Member
Joined: October 08, 2004 Posts: 25187 Location: Central Iowa
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:43 am Post subject: |
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Sometimes, you get lucky.
I was at a swap meet, and a guy had a welder on the tail gate of his pickup.
Wanted $75 or it. Said that it sometimes jammed the wire.
He had gone through divorce, and had no place to store it.
Told him I would give him $45 as is. He declined.
Wandered around for a couple hours, and came back by. He was loading up and getting ready to leave.
He asked what my final offer was? Told him I had already spent all my cash. I had $17 left, and would have to find an ATM. He said he could not wait. "Give me the $17 and it is yours."
I bought it.
The feed problem was that it had been set up for aluminum wire, and liner was grooved. $10 part fixed it. _________________ Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up, you end up with a lot of scum on the top!--Edward Abbey
Gary: OK. Ima poop. |
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Dale M. Samba Member
Joined: April 12, 2006 Posts: 20379 Location: Just a tiny bit west of Yosemite Valley
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 11:15 am Post subject: |
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Some sites to look at for products and welding knowledge & safety....
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Pages/default.aspx
http://www.hobartwelders.com/
http://www.millerwelds.com/
For MIG get one that is GAS/NO-GAS... There are times when working "outside" where prevailing breeze will blow shield gas away, in these cases internal flux/shield wire is better option.....
Try to stay with brand name or brand made by reputable manufacturer.... Also consider accessories or replacement parts.... IF wire feed rollers wear out and you can not get replacements, its a pretty big door stop you have.....
Dale _________________ “Fear The Government That Wants To Take Your Guns" - Thomas Jefferson.
"Kellison Sand Piper Roadster" For Street & Show.
"Joe Pody Sandrover" Buggy with 2180 for Autocross (Sold)
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All suggestions and advice are purely my own opinion. You are free to ignore them if you wish ... |
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