Wife Bought Me A Welder!!

[Vette10R]

Ive been wanting a welder for some time now, I havent welded since high school 17 years ago! I wasnt expecting to get one anytime soon either but she found this Century arc welder at a garage sale and got it for $20 bucks with 2 shields! I figure at that price who cares as long as it works. So what do you guys think about this one, what can I do with her? Besides plugging her in what will I need to start welding, what sticks should I get etc.? I know shes nothing special but should be ok to start with right?

 

[disston]

She's a keeper. I mean the wife. I know nothing about arc welding.

 

[American Locomotive]

Looks like a basic AC buzz-box stick welder. Just about indestructible.

 

[buffalobill]

That's awesome. I wouldn't bother with sheet metal setting. Sounds like an exercise in blowing holes thru or sticking rods.

 

[Dozerhand]

Looks like a basic AC buzz-box stick welder. Just about indestructible.

American Locomotive pretty well summed it up. What can you do with it? Well you can build trailers,stands,shelves,racks,brackets,repair lawn mower decks,broken machinery,and lots of other tasks that only a welder will do. Despite what it says you won't have much luck welding sheet metal. Get some 1/8" 6013 rod and rummy thru somebody's junk pile for some scrap and get some practice. You'll need some gloves, a chipping hammer, and a wire brush. Of course if you're going to get in to making things you'll need a way to cut metal. Chop saw at least, torch is better. Oh and you'll need a welding table, couple of grinders, clamps, yes lots of clamps. It's a slippery slope. That may be the most expensive $20.00 you ever spent.

 

[Loscaldazar]

There was one of those on the MN craigslist recently, wonder if it was the same one? If so, they were asking $50, so $20 is a steal for it!

 

[Forever Fixin]

A welder is one of those things that you don't think you need til you have one......then all sorts of ideas open up. Good score. I'd get some 7018 rod to practice with. Most are gonna say 6011 or 6013 but those seem to be harder to get the hang of when your new. What kind of projects do you have in mind?

 

[Ditch]

GOOD Girl !!

 

[Vette10R]

Thanks guys looks like i have some accessories to buy! Haha

Ill have to get some scrap and practice, I've been looking at buying a trailer for my side X side like a 6x12 single axel. Maybe i can just build one with this guy?

Any good videos or websites to read on getting started?

 

[readhead]

Try some 3/32" 7018AC rod. Should be able to get a pound at the local welding supply. That will give you a feel for what it can do. Try other sizes and types of rods from there. That machine will do a lot of work. Take the wife out to dinner, she's a keeper.

 

[Majordisorder]

Buy quality rod from a welding supply as redhead suggested. The flux on some of the hardware store stuff out there is garbage.

 

[sberry]

Try some 3/32" 7018AC rod.

This. get some 6011 1/8, 3/32 7018 AC and some 1/8 7018AC. Turn them up hot enough. The 18 is really good and near foolproof if you have the heat and enough on it. They do require a bit of weave in verticals vs the DC on DC but it can be done with a little practice. the 1/8 11 and the 3/32 18 run about the same heat, 85-90A

 

[Vette10R]

So sray away from harbor freight welding isle lol

I also need to add a breaker and outlet for this, will I want a 50 amp breaker?

 

[American Locomotive]

50A 240v breaker and a NEMA 6-50 outlet.

 

[pendragon1998]

Better find out what she bought that you don't know about. Lol

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Hey, I had one almost exactly like yours! It was branded Montgomery Wards and I got it about 35 years ago. I made some pretty good welds with it. Some awful ones, too. But that's the only arc welder I've ever used.

Some ******* stole it from me. I haven't had the need to replace it.

 

[FlushingDIYer]

waay to make us all jealous!!!

 

[Vette10R]

50A 240v breaker and a NEMA 6-50 outlet.

Thank you

 

[Vette10R]

Better find out what she bought that you don't know about. Lol

I can only imagine! Haha