Getting a Welder, have some questions

[Aquaticbob]

Well this will be my second of many more posts to this site! I'm getting my first welder for Christmas (MIG welder, unsure make/model). My main question is what else am I going to need other than table, helmet, gloves, jacket, tank/gas, MIG pliers, and some wire? Right now I'm going to be doing most of my welding in my dad's garage while I wait to establish my shop so I would like to be able to semi easily transport necessary equipment once I have my shop.

I'm learning to weld so I can use it doing auto body work. Would love input from everyone. I appreciate it in advance.

I just joined the forums and have my introduction thread up, if you care to get my back story! http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=3550760#post3550760

 

[signcrafter]

Sounds like you have most of the needed things listed. Do you have a grinder to prep the metal? Prep is important when welding. Some replacement tips and other consumables will also be needed down the road. Also lots of scrap metal to practice on.

 

[Aquaticbob]

I will have to go pick up an angle grinder. Seems like HD has them for a reasonable price.

 

[signcrafter]

The harbor freight grinders you can get really cheap with a coupon and they seem to get pretty good reviews. Just another option.

Pick up some GOOD discs for them. You will get the best quality for the best price by ordering online. Get a thin cutting disc. A grinding disc. A wire wheel. And maybe a flap disc if you want to make things look pretty.

 

[Zeke]

Clamps. Lots of different clamps. Learn all they can do. Some can do interesting fit ups. I'd buy clamps before the table. I weld a lot on a piece of 1/4" plate steel laying on a wood bench with a few spacers underneath to keep the wood cooler. Don't really need the spacers so much unless you're really going at it. If you cut slots in the steel top, lay it on another thin sheet so sparks don't smolder.

When you're done, put the steel top out of the way and you have your wood bench back. It doesn't need to be all that big.

 

[Aquaticbob]

Clamps. Lots of different clamps. Learn all they can do. Some can do interesting fit ups. I'd buy clamps before the table.

Any sort of clamps you would recommended getting first? I was thinking of picking up like 5 different clamps to start. Also, is there any type of place you recommend getting scrap metal from? I might be able to find a sheet of 1/4" steel to go on a wood bench. I'll have to figure that one out

Pick up some GOOD discs for them. You will get the best quality for the best price by ordering online. Get a thin cutting disc. A grinding disc. A wire wheel. And maybe a flap disc if you want to make things look pretty.

Would 3M be a brand of choice? I love a lot of 3M's other products

 

[ZRX61]

3m or Norton will work

 

[ZRX61]

Have is your hammer situation?

Horrible Fright have a bunch of vise grip type clamps, I probably have 30 of them.

Also source a piece of 1in copper pipe. Cut it into different lengths (4, 6 & 8in) & then hammer them flat for use as heat sinks to go behind whatever (thin sheet) you are welding.

also:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-welding-and-sheet-metal-clamp-set-30024.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/12-inch-heavy-duty-f-style-welding-clamp-65683.html

These are absolutely identical to the ones Eastwoods sell... except Eastwoods want $16 for 4 of them. HF are $8 for 8..

http://www.harborfreight.com/8-piece-****-welding-clamps-60545.html

 

[pieceofwork]

The harbor freight grinders you can get really cheap with a coupon and they seem to get pretty good reviews. Just another option................

I have a Makita that cost $80 and a $9.99 Harbor Freight (with coupon), I have no complaints re: the Harbor Freight cheapo grinder.

 

[ZRX61]

I will have to go pick up an angle grinder. Seems like HD has them for a reasonable price.

Get 2 or 3, have them set up with cutting disc, wire cup & grinding disc, saves a lot of faffing about changing them on one tool.

You be starting to notice that this is great place to ask questions & have people tell you how to spend your $$$

Like this:
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-3-4-quarter-inch-multipurpose-magnet-holder-1938.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-magnetic-welding-holders-93898.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-soapstone-marker-set-46051.html

http://www.harborfreight.com/magnetic-mig-torch-rest-3642.html

 

[Zeke]

Any sort of clamps you would recommended getting first? I was thinking of picking up like 5 different clamps to start. Also, is there any type of place you recommend getting scrap metal from? I might be able to find a sheet of 1/4" steel to go on a wood bench. I'll have to figure that one out



Would 3M be a brand of choice? I love a lot of 3M's other products

Well, there are so many. Almost anything Vicegrip makes is handy but it's a shame to get them all messed up with welding heat. HF versions are OK, but you will notice the difference big time.

You need c-clamps from small to large. You need bar clamps, again the high priced ones for wood working are just going to get abused. And don't forget spring clamps and right angle magnets. The game is to hold the work.

 

[erty67]

I will have to go pick up an angle grinder. Seems like HD has them for a reasonable price.

get more than one. nice to have one for cut wheels, one for flap disc, etc. at $10 each with a coupon it's worth it.

 

[toomanytoyzz]

These are awesome for autobody. The copper backing make them perfect for filling in holes and **** welds.

 

[crewchief888]

Have is your hammer situation?

Horrible Fright have a bunch of vise grip type clamps, I probably have 30 of them.

Also source a piece of 1in copper pipe. Cut it into different lengths (4, 6 & 8in) & then hammer them flat for use as heat sinks to go behind whatever (think sheet) you are welding.

also:
http://www.harborfreight.com/2-piece-welding-and-sheet-metal-clamp-set-30024.html

^^ if the ones from HF are anything like the ones northern sells, save your money. i've bent both sets of them i got from northern..

northern's c clamp type vice grips seem to be holding good so far as is northerns plug weld pliers.

start checking garage sales and flea mkts for used vice grip branded clamps.
if they are cheap enough (under $5 a pair) as long as they will still lock in place i'll buy them, not matter how rusty & crusty they are.

you may want to stock up on burn ointment as well...

 

[Aquaticbob]

you may want to stock up on burn ointment as well...

I will make sure to do that

You be starting to notice that this is great place to ask questions & have people tell you how to spend your $$$

I'm always interested in everyone's insights! I like hearing what people suggest spending money on, it helps me find new products

get more than one. nice to have one for cut wheels, one for flap disc, etc. at $10 each with a coupon it's worth it.

I will make sure to buy a couple! I have many Ingersoll Rand Angle die grinders currently in one of my storage units. Won't get to use them until my shop gets set back up

 

[BD1]

Grinder, I like the METABO. i would consider the variable speed METABO. Not cheap but it will last many years. I have one that is over 30 years old and still kickin. Variable speed is awesome when using a wire wheel not to mention better control when grinding.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0027IQGPG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ZRX61]

^^ if the ones from HF are anything like the ones northern sells, save your money. i've bent both sets of them i got from northern..

If you're bending clamps just holding stuff together for welding it sounds like the issue is fitment/fabrication of the pieces you are welding, not the actual clamps.

 

[oldestof11]

We use a lot of these for cleaning up metal at work

http://www.emisupply.com/catalog/enduro-flex-flap-disc-5811-threaded-arbor-grit-p-3177.html

 

[crewchief888]

If you're bending clamps just holding stuff together for welding it sounds like the issue is fitment/fabrication of the pieces you are welding, not the actual clamps.

could be..

i do all my bodywork with a sledgehammer




actually the clamps are pretty bad, i wouldnt bad mouth a product that i intentionally abused...

 

[Aquaticbob]

Where you guys find scrap metal at? I'm in the Seattle area, but I'm just trying to find what type of business might have some scrap that I can buy/take. Free is always preferred! There seems to be plenty of metal recyclers around here

 

[Mike662]

Good advice above, didn't see anyone mention a cart for your welder/tank. Lots of good options out there, including building your own.

I took the cheap and easy route and got the HF cart: http://www.harborfreight.com/100-lb-capacity-welding-cart-61316.html

 

[Aquaticbob]

Most likely will get the hf cart for now, however making my own cart sounds appealing as a more in depth first project


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[minimowog]

another important consideration, if your welding car bodywork, when selecting a welder, choose one that that will go down to at least 30 amps or even lower.

at 30 amps, you should be able to pick up welding rusty metal without blowing too many holes, my first welder's lowest setting was 30 amps and my current one goes down to 15 amps

 

[toomanytoyzz]

Most likely will get the hf cart for now, however making my own cart sounds appealing as a more in depth first project


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's right of passage in the welding world when you buy your first welder. Check out the custom welding carts on weldingweb.com. Some of them are works of art. It's a great site full of a ton of info about welding. Also go to welding tips and tricks on youtube.

 

[sberry]

Skip past all the other grinders and get the B&D 7750 from Walmart.

 

[ZRX61]

Where you guys find scrap metal at? I'm in the Seattle area, but I'm just trying to find what type of business might have some scrap that I can buy/take. Free is always preferred! There seems to be plenty of metal recyclers around here

I'd imagine there will be a few places right outside the main gate at Boeing

 

[Outlawmws]

Clamps: it depends a LOT on what you are welding. For auto body I'd expect a lot of vise grips both regular C grip 11R's and maybe some smaller 6r's but the extended versions, (you can buy of make these from 11R's) could also be handy.

C Clamps, pipe clamps all have use if you are doing a lot of structural with box tubing and then there is just getting creative with bar stock and C clamps when you need to fixture something square.

Hammers, chipping hammer of course, but sometimes you need to be working a hot weld, so several sizes of Ball Peen and an engineers cross peen is never out of order for having handy.


Welding Leathers, including the shoulder gear and attachments, as you will wind up welding overhead.

A good hack saw, and eventually you will want tin snips of almost every variety.
Something on Tin snips:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138924

 

[Aquaticbob]

I'd imagine there will be a few places right outside the main gate at Boeing

I'm sure if I still knew someone at Boeing I could get some scrap from them. I have gotten Kevlar from there

 

[tedsters]

The harbor freight grinders you can get really cheap with a coupon and they seem to get pretty good reviews. Just another option.

Pick up some GOOD discs for them. You will get the best quality for the best price by ordering online. Get a thin cutting disc. A grinding disc. A wire wheel. And maybe a flap disc if you want to make things look pretty.

if you by a HF grinder for $9.99 the first thing you want to do is take the 4 screws out of the head and put some grease in it there is only a dab in them will run and sound like a completely different grinder they actually run quiter and cooler then my craftsman grinder

 

[Aquaticbob]

Clamps: it depends a LOT on what you are welding. For auto body I'd expect a lot of vise grips both regular C grip 11R's and maybe some smaller 6r's but the extended versions, (you can buy of make these from 11R's) could also be handy.

C Clamps, pipe clamps all have use if you are doing a lot of structural with box tubing and then there is just getting creative with bar stock and C clamps when you need to fixture something square.

Hammers, chipping hammer of course, but sometimes you need to be working a hot weld, so several sizes of Ball Peen and an engineers cross peen is never out of order for having handy.


Welding Leathers, including the shoulder gear and attachments, as you will wind up welding overhead.

A good hack saw, and eventually you will want tin snips of almost every variety.
Something on Tin snips:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=138924

Thanks for the info on the tin snips! I have a couple different ones, though I don't know much about them. I'll have to add a couple more hammers to the collection, which is always good

It's right of passage in the welding world when you buy your first welder. Check out the custom welding carts on weldingweb.com. Some of them are works of art. It's a great site full of a ton of info about welding. Also go to welding tips and tricks on youtube.

I'll have to check this site out! I have been watching the welding tips and tricks videos on youtube a lot these past weeks!

another important consideration, if your welding car bodywork, when selecting a welder, choose one that that will go down to at least 30 amps or even lower.

at 30 amps, you should be able to pick up welding rusty metal without blowing too many holes, my first welder's lowest setting was 30 amps and my current one goes down to 15 amps

My family is going to be getting me the welder for christmas so I will pass this info along to them

 

[Major Ramifications]

Hows about some panel clamps for sheet metal: On sale for $10 at Eastwood. I think HF carries them also.
http://www.eastwood.com/intergrip-panel-clamps-set-of-4.html

 

[ThomasT]

Machine shops and Fabrication shops are a great place to buy good "drops" or "scrap" metal. Just talk with the owner or shop foreman and tell him that you are just getting started and most of the time they will sell this at scrap pricing. In my shop, I use everything except the dust....