Got Me a Welder!

[babzog]

So, I was poking through the local kijiji today and noticed that an ad for a Lincoln Mig Pak 180 that I was told late last week was sold, was relisted. I called the fellow and re-offered to buy it for the price I offered. He said he wanted more than I offered last week (should called him earlier last week... them's the breaks) so we split the difference. Met him at a local shop (so I could see/test the unit first) and it turns out the unit it brand new! He'd opened the box and had taken it out as it was a bit dusty, but none of the cables were hooked up and most of the packages were still sealed shut. Closed it up, paid him what we agreed on today went back to work. The guys at the shop were thinking it was a pretty decent little welder... they had a smaller one sitting right there that he said has been used nearly every day for the last number of years.

Fired it up tonight (just using the flux core wire as I don't yet have a gas bottle) and it seems to operate just fine. Now, just need to learn to weld better. Manuals, etc were all in the box; only thing missing was the DVD.

The normal sale price for this sku from Canadian Tire is $479 + 13% tax. I paid $350.

 

[Hiball]

Congrats, I havent been around the newer Lincoln stuff much but im sure its decent. I never had good luck with flux core wire, Invest in a bottle Asap. It could have been me though as my welding skillz are self learned.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Congratulations! You will have lots of fun with your new machine. I second the bottle idea.

 

[babzog]

Yeah, I want to get the gas ASAP. I was pricing them at TSC... $180 for the 58cf tank and $50 for the gas. That's also the sale price on this week. The 83cf tank + gas is $43 more.

It's not quite the machine I had in mind but the good ones are still a bit out of my price range. I'll keep my eyes open at auctions and such for a deal, but I think this one will be a good starting platform.

 

[Keep]

Yeah, I want to get the gas ASAP. I was pricing them at TSC... $180 for the 58cf tank and $50 for the gas. That's also the sale price on this week. The 83cf tank + gas is $43 more.

It's not quite the machine I had in mind but the good ones are still a bit out of my price range. I'll keep my eyes open at auctions and such for a deal, but I think this one will be a good starting platform.

Take a peek again on kijiji, there have been a few recent posts for bottles.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Take a peek again on kijiji, there have been a few recent posts for bottles.

If you buy a used bottle, then you have to watch to find out where you can get it filled. For instance, at places like TSC, they will only exchange bottles that you bought from them, they don't actually fill them. Even though they are not very close to me, I got my gas bottle from TSC. The manager told me that I could always trade up to a larger one when I needed a fillup, and only pay the difference.

Get some practice with the flux core, so then you will appreciate using gas when you can. You will still need flux core for some jobs, but man, that gas is sweet.

 

[78Bird]

Check local welding supplies as well. When I searched I got my 160cf bottle for less than what places like northern wanted for an 80... plus fills (exchanges really) are cheaper.

Don't just discount the flux core either, it runs hotter and isn't as prone to issues with contamination or wind as solid + gas. So if you need to weld some not 100% perfectly clean stuff outside, or you're pushing the limits of the machine on thickness of metal, the flux core is great.

Here's some frame welding I did with my HH140, flux core. gas welding wouldn't put enough heat into the thicker frame... The stuff actually welds beautifully once the flux and scuzz are cleaned off.

 

[blaze_125]

Good stuff.
If you're new to welding like I am, you'll want to invest in a auto-darkening hood. I know it made a huge difference in my welding capabilities. Being able to see from the get go is a huge + when starting out.

 

[Rockaholic555]

+1 on the hood. Makes those low tolerance jobs hassle free.

 

[babzog]

I'd picked up an auto-dark hood at Princess Auto last fall for welding class... they are awesome to use compared to the fixed tint hoods!

No used bottles I could see in my local kijiji. I called Air Liquide for C25 mix pricing... they're nearly twice the price as TSC (Praxair)!

 

[speed bump]

Yeah, I want to get the gas ASAP. I was pricing them at TSC... $180 for the 58cf tank and $50 for the gas. That's also the sale price on this week. The 83cf tank + gas is $43 more.

It's not quite the machine I had in mind but the good ones are still a bit out of my price range. I'll keep my eyes open at auctions and such for a deal, but I think this one will be a good starting platform.

Man thats expensive, when I have needed c25 in the past its been a couple of bucks a month for bottle rental and $40 for refills on an 80 cf bottle and I didn't even think that price was great.

As far as flux core versus gas I can't really say its easier either way unless you are in a specific situation such as thin metal (gas) or outside (flux).

 

[lilredex]

Bought my tank in June '05, paid $145 filled, my supplier likes CASH.

Have tried a few hoods over the years, but always return to my hand held (instructor's) shield. It is the one I am most comfortable with, started off on O/A so one handed operation feels normal and easy. Some of my friends have got to get both hands on the stinger and feel nervous with one hand operation, saying they started that way on stick or MIG.

Do much of my welding just outside the garage door and have never had a problem with gas blowing away........not many tornados right here on my street.

 

[blaze_125]

I'd picked up an auto-dark hood at Princess Auto last fall for welding class... they are awesome to use compared to the fixed tint hoods!

I almost did that too... until I saw the certification on the back of the hood... all the helmets they had were not up to par on certification You may want to look into that.

ANSI Z87.1-2003 is what you're looking for.
You may find one the of the following 3 on the helmet.
Z87
Z87.1
Z87.1-2003

That last one is the latest.

 

[babzog]

Man thats expensive, when I have needed c25 in the past its been a couple of bucks a month for bottle rental and $40 for refills on an 80 cf bottle and I didn't even think that price was great.

Air Liquide wants $65/yr for rental on 80cf tank and $96 to fill it! Guess I'll have to bite the bullet and get the TSC tank.

I almost did that too... until I saw the certification on the back of the hood... all the helmets they had were not up to par on certification You may want to look into that.

ANSI Z87.1-2003 is what you're looking for.
You may find one the of the following 3 on the helmet.
Z87
Z87.1
Z87.1-2003

That last one is the latest.

What is the difference in the certifications? Ie: what are the updates from one to the next?

 

[blaze_125]

What is the difference in the certifications? Ie: what are the updates from one to the next?

I don't know the specifics. But I know 87 stands for industry standards established in 1983... That's 27 years ago When I got my hood I figured I only have 1 set of eyes, and I can't go shopping for a new pair if something happens.

It something that has to do with UV and radiation filtering... stuff I'd rather not have to worry about.

I got mine from this ebay seller.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Solar-Auto-Dark...ryZ92090QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

After shipping, currency and everything, it was still cheaper than buying a properly certified helmet localy(ie. CanadianTire, PrincessAuto). As far as I know, CT carries only 1 certified, and Princess Auto... I couldn't find any as stated previously.

 

[Hiball]

I have a lifetime lease on my bottle, I dont recall what it intitially cost but it lasts awhile and its somewhere around $50 (last time i filled) to exchange for a full one.

 

[Keep]

There was a guy up in Barrie selling some really nice ESAB auto dark helmets on Kijiji for like $80. Not sure if he still has any posted.

 

[arkangel06]

Nice little welder you bought! Good luck with the learning