What Welder

[THE_OWL]

What welder do you guys use? MIG TIG JIG PIG? Electric ARC ARGON?
I got a slab of welding to do in the next month so I need to get a welder for CHEAP and learn a few things. Ive worn out my "buddy, bring your tools over" thing
What about cutting?
thanks
\\hoot

[RCP Phx]

Well there is no such thing as a cheap welder!I "love" my Milller 175,it can weld anything we deal with!

[rockwerks]

I use a clarke en130...with gas.....welds good...have welded 1/4" all day long with it...about 360.00 with regulator but no bottle....the only problem with most 110V units is the duty cycle is low..but this one will weld on highest setting for about 12" before it starts to cycle...not too bad.

[JJ13]

If you want cheap, find an ac "buzz box" (stick welder). The learning curve on stick welding is a little steeper than MIG, but if you can weld well with stick you can weld anything. I see used ones advertised around my area all the time for 100-150 dollars. Just make sure you get the proper sized welding rod for the welder (make sure it is for AC if that is what you are using). You also asked what we use. I use a MIG (Miller 135) with hard wire and 75-25 gas. The welder is a little under powered for what I use it for, but I am a fairly good welder. The only welds I have had break were shock mounts on a TJ 8.8 conversion, and they were due to the shocks bottoming out severely (too long). I also didn't have the access to the rearend to weld them to my satisfaction, but could not persuade my friend to pull the rear end out for me to do it better. If you want to spend the money, a 175 amp Mig welder would be ideal. For cutting I use a friction saw to make the straight cuts, a torch or my newly acquired plasma cutter for cuts that aren't straight. A little more detail on what you are planning to do and I can help steer you in the right direction


JJ

[1986xj]

I have the Hobart 135 and it does well for most of my needs. With enough practice it will weld anything from thin sheetmetal up to about .25" pretty well.... anyting heavier and I just tack things together where I want them then run up the street and have the local welding shop sink the permanent beads....
Mike B.

[Ted Z]

I have a miller 180SD TIG...... welds all day even Very heavy stuff....

Expensive......

[Beezil]

I have the same TIG machine ted has.......

I'm waiting for ted to become a pro so he can teach me.......


otherwsie, Mig is cake, go 220......

[THE_OWL]

thank you everyone.
Welder is not gonna be in my plans I guess.
220 isn tan option here, and I wouldnt mind breaking off a Light tab, but suspension and axle stuff is kind of important and I dont think Im up to it.

[Beezil]

JUST START SAVING YOUR MONEY.....

don't know why some folks buy impulsively as soon as they scrounge the amount needed for the least expensive item that probably won't do them much good anyway.....

sounds like you know whats best, and thats good.....

just be patient......

keep that coffee can hidden, keep topping it off, and one day you'll have enough to get the right welder......the hobart 175 is an excellent value.....

nothing worse than buying a tool, only to buy the tool you actually needed the ssecond time around.

do it right, do it the first time

[Ted Z]

i already know how to weld steel Beez......

now aluminum..... thats a different story.....

[KY Chris]

Somebody learn how to use it so I can get some lessons. We got a Miller Dynasty 200DX this weekend and I think it's gonna live in my garage for awhile. Played with aluminum but not steel yet. Pretty neato.

KY Chris


Originally posted by Beezil
I have the same TIG machine ted has.......

I'm waiting for ted to become a pro so he can teach me.......


otherwsie, Mig is cake, go 220......

[Moto]

If you have no electricity then the MSG 200 is a cool machine, they used to be made by everyone like lincoln, and Hobart which is the one I use. They can weld really well and even make a nice little whistle sound as you go along. Best part is that is is portable and can be used as a generator. Check it outMSG 200 (http://www.burco.net/gw200.htm)

[Bronco]

Is that an arc welder with its own generator?

[JJ13]

yup

[Moto]

Yeah it has a little 2-stroke powerplant

[ChuckD]

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/39400-39499/39443.gif

How about this one at HF, http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=39443

I didn't see it first hand, but there are pictures of it on the Sierra Chapter, Swamp Lk. run pics.

60" of welding per charge should be able to get most simple fab work done, or even better you can take this one on the trail with you to!

[xj92]

Any of you guys running a 135 wish you'd gone higher? I'm probably getting one in the next few weeks, most likely the Miller 135, because that's the biggest I can go from a standard power outlet, and since I still live in an apartment, it's not really an option to get a 220 power source. I'll use it for stuff on the Jeep, and for tubing and stuff. I found a Miller 135 for $540 with a free cart, which seems like a good deal, anybody know where to get a better price?

[JJ13]

That is about what I paid for mine. If you are a decent welder you can get buy with the 135. I have welded everything with mine. I did want a hotter welder however, so I recently bought a Miller 180sd TIG. So in answer to your question you will want a hotter welder, but with patience you will not find a lot of stuff on your XJ that you aren't able to weld with it.

[xj92]

Do they make 230 volt extension cords? If so, couldn't I just plug it in where the dryer is if I got a 175? Because the price difference is only $100 between the 175 and the 135. I agree with Beezil about doing it right the first time, but I don't want to wait a year or two for the first time either, just weighing my options.

[JJ13]

You can make a 220 extension cord, just make sure the amp rating on the breaker is sufficient for the power the welder draws. Also make sure the cable you use to make your extension cord is big enough (mine for my plasma cutter and Tig welder is #6 wire). Definetly get the 175 if at all possible.

[Jump This]

Another thing to think about. The guy who does the electrical for my shop says making a 220 power box and running it off of two 110 outlets is no big deal. I can see how it should work. I just built an exstention cord that plugs into my 30amp dryer outlet. Although my welder (Lincoln 170) is a 40amp unit...no problem so far. Heck I bet I could just install a 40amp breaker and call it good. (don't use electrical dryer any longer)

[JJ13]

Yeah that would probably work, depending on how may amps total your panel would accomodate. Your welders manual should have a graph that shows how many amps your welder draws at so many amp output. My Tig welder requires 68 amps if I run it at 180 amps AC. I have been running that welder on a 40 amp breaker with no probs (I only have used it at 130 amps max, and only DC). If I were going to try to weld some 1/2" plate I would need to make a trip to the hardware store for a 60 or 70 amp breaker first. Oh yeah one more thing, In order to make 220 power from two 110 outlets, the two 110 outlets have to be from different circuits, which probably would not be the case in your appartments wiring. It prob. has one 110 circuit for the outlets in your garage.

[Markm80521]

In my quest for bumper/tow points/fab equipment I decided to ask around and see who might have a used welder I could buy and for how much.

I found someone with a used Lincoln MIG 110v? Probably the light duty 135 I think. Anyway they'll let me have it for $250 with everything all I need to get is the bottle.

Now, I make it sound like I know what I am talking about(right) but I really don't. From the info I have given does this sound like a good deal assuming that it's in good shape? EDUCATE ME oh fabricating gurus. Expound please! I really want to get into my own fabricating.

[JJ13]

Yes that is a good deal. You usually can't touch a decent 110 Mig for under 400 to 500 dollars. Make sure it is the model that goes up to 135 amps. You will be able to weld most anything up to 1/4 inch with that. I have made a lot of money with my 110 MIG machine...it is nice being able to take it to anyones house plug it in and weld away. Don't hesitate if you have more ????'s

[Markm80521]

I do have another question. I notice looking at the Lincoln website that there is the weldpak 100 as well. Looks like Lincolns base model is a 110v 15 amp. If I show up there today and that is what it is still a good deal? what is the difference in the extra 25 amps? I really would like to beable to build my own bumpers and perhaps fab perches and shock mounts down the road. Again, a 135 would be capable? A 110? Thanks for the help.

[JJ13]

Welding up a bumper shouldn't be a problem with either. As far as shock brackets and similar stuff (read: attached to axle) you would probably want a 220 volt welder. I have set up full axles (welded all brackets for control arms, trac bar, and shocks) with my Miller 135, but I have quite a bit of experience welding, and I still wasn't to excited about it (my friend made me do it...for real). Anyway that rearend (in a TJ) has made a couple trips to Moab and other places since, so it is obviously holding. TO answer your original question, the weldpack 100 sells for a little over 300 new, so unless there is a lot of extra stuff with it I wouldn't pay 250 for one used. You will be much happier with the 135 model. I would however look around and buy a 220 model. This is definetly one of those situations where you will be sorry if you don't do it right the first time.

[Markm80521]

I do appreciate (more and more) the info and expertise that I get off this website. I decided to hold out and wait for an opportunity to get a 175/180 series welder and up. I think it will be a much better purchase in the long run.

Follow up questions though, I hear miller/lincoln/hobart a lot are there any other knock off brands that deserve attention such as PowerArc (http://www.asedeals.com/MigWldrs2.html) or Marquette?

Also, how does a welder hold up? I am going to try and find a used one probably and wondered are welders simple enough in design to hold up fairly well to abuse?

Thanks again.

[JJ13]

Most welders hold up well, especially arc welders. A mig welder has more moving parts and generally requires more maintenance. I am not familiar with those other brands of welders. I know ESAB is another good brand of welder. I have always tried to stick with Miller or Lincoln. My reasoning is that any weld shop can work on these machines, and will always have the consumables in stock. Those off brand machines have to be sent off for warranty work a lot of the time. To me it is worth the extras 150 dollars for that piece of mind. I did however purchase an off brand plasma cutter, and have been very happy with it so far.