Welder for 14 year old

[Tjc]

http://www.harborfreight.com/wire-welder-90-amp-flux-68887.html

Would you think this is a good welder for a beginner on a budget? I would like to learn to weld and be able to when needed but can't spend alot of money. Do you think this is a good start? Thanks.

 

[mllester]

To stay at a similar price point, I think a used Lincoln/Miller stick would be a better choice to learn on. I started out on a low budget machine - I think it lengthed my learning curve. When I upgraded my machine I realized I was controlling the puddle better than I thought I was.

 

[kunkernator]

I would not go with the HF one. If I recall, Hobart makes an entry level flux-core for around $150. Hobart is a pretty reputable company in my opinion.

Also, what the guy above said, a used stick wouldn't be a bad idea. Welders tend to retain their value pretty well thru resale, so it is hard to find a really good bargain.

And if you are beginning, be aware of the differences between the suggested used stick welder, and the Mig you were looking at. They are two totally different welding techniques.

 

[tck4x4]

It was a good starter welder for me, but I am over 40. He will get frustrated with the Harbor Freight wire, don't even put it in the welder. Buy a spool of .030 from Lincoln at Home Depot and use it from the start. I have built a welding table, fixed my exhaust, and am working on a recumbent tricycle. It sticks metal together very well, but there is a lot of splatter to clean up. While you are at HF get the auto dark helmet, mine works very well and it allows you to see what you are doing and use two hands on the gun.

 

[xbeatles4x]

Hmm. I've been thinking of a similar thing for my self. I would want to learn mig first.

 

[A_Pmech]

I would avoid the HF machine and get something you can use and grow with.

I started with a Lincoln tombstone at around that age and continued to use it in my business until I bought a new industrial machine. They're good little welders and very simple. Stick welding is still the standard process for many fabrication industries and is a must-learn process for any serious fabrication work.

That said, if you don't have a torch set, that would be my number one priority. Most any welding courses start with torch welding as it's a great way to teach fitup, distortion control and puddling. A torch is a must-have for every mechanic's shop and still one of the quickest and cheapest ways to cut steel.

 

[srmofo]

I began on a similar craftsman chicom machine. To say its a pile of ****, is being generous.

However, since the machine is so difficult to work with, you learn technique since you cant depend on the machine to cover up your mistakes. I built my first fab project with it which was a 55 gal aquarium stand made from angle and 2" square tube. I also made a couple of exhausts with it.

Dont even think of using welding wire from HF. I made that mistake once.

I got by with the HF autodarkening helmet for several years before I got serious and bought some nice equipment. The HF helmet is no comparison to a reputable brand helmet, but it will work and its better than trying to hold a mask, the gun, your work, and learn to weld at the same time.

At your age and with your budget I think its a good start and it is absolutely better than nothing. At least its not another video game. A good used stick welder would probably be better, but Im guessing this might be on a christmas list?

 

[Jack Olsen]

The whole idea of a 'beginner welder' is kind of silly. Is there such a thing as a beginner's drill press? It seems to me that it's either a good welder or a bad one -- and that it works for particular applications well or it doesn't. You could ask what a good 120V MIG is, or a good 240V MIG. But I can't think of anything that happens as a welder advances in skill that would make a different machine become a more appropriate fit.

I own dozens of Harbor Freight tools, but I wouldn't consider their welders good learning tools. Based on what I've heard about their MIG and Flux Core welders, the thing is only going to slow your learning curve at the point where you need the most help. A particularly skilled welder might be able to make that machine in your link work just fine, but the setup issues are probably going to make you nuts and end up discouraging you from continuing.

I think a better way to ask the question would be to tell us what you're hoping to weld, and then get suggestions on the most economical route to get that work done.

 

[raddksn]

too bad your so far from me i have a 230 amp c-man buzz box i'd give you. i used for 20 years you burn some 7018 AC 3/32" to get practice

 

[racingtadpole]

If you are going to buy a Mig, dont buy a flux core only machine. Whilst you may not need the capability to push gas through the welder while you are learning, you will at some point get the shits with flux core and want to try using shielding gas. If you buy a flux core only machine you are now up for another welder at this point. If it means saving for a couple of months longer, then do it and spend the money once.

 

[64Trvlr]

Would you think this is a good welder for a beginner on a budget? I would like to learn to weld and be able to when needed but can't spend alot of money. Do you think this is a good start? Thanks.

too bad your so far from me i have a 230 amp c-man buzz box i'd give you. i used for 20 years you burn some 7018 AC 3/32" to get practice

Looks like a match made in heaven. He might have enough in his budget to able to pay the shipping on your welder.

 

[KPSquared]

Don't buy a mig. Buy an old arc welder and actually learn to weld. Then save your pennies until you can afford a decent used mig. HF welders and IMO any 120v flux core welders ****.

 

[SuitorsGarage]

Don't forget to get a high quality helmet.

 

[TF.120]

Those welders at HF don't weld. You might achieve bubbleguming two pieces of metal together but i wouldn't call it welding.

As people have already stated get yourself a nice old arc welder or save up for a miller/lincoln/hobart mig that actually welds.

 

[McFarmer]

I taught welding to 14 year olds for 33 years. An old Lincoln AC stick welder would be a cheap way to start. If he goes on to learn more about welding he will start with the oxy/act units, then stick, then mig and tig. Get an auto dark helmet and he will really have some success and fun right off the start. You can make a good looking mig weld that is just sitting on the metal, but if a stick weld looks good, chances are it is.

 

[Mr.N]

Watch Craigslist for an AC Lincoln tombstone welder.
If you wait you'll find one for $100 ($40 - 150 around here).
When you are ready to move on you can resell for what you paid for it.

Get good gloves, helmet with a large screen and clothes you can weld in.
Ask you Dad to show you how to weld, watch a few youtube video.
I started at age 11 like this, however the YouTube was not available back then on my commodore 128 computer.

 

[BD1]

NO HF ! You will quit after you start. Like said, look for a used MILLER or Lincoln . Buy once and wisely. It will be money well spent.

 

[BWS]

+1 on raddksn.

In general...start with a Lincoln tombstone "buzzbx" and a Victor OA outfit.The really neat thing about both of these is....you won't need to get rid of them.IOWs...years down the rd,....mig,Tig,whatever comes along.....you will still want/need both of these setups.

 

[Voi]

Aren't all of these older tombstone welders 220V? I'm curious for my own sake but also because the thread starter is looking at 120V machine so I wonder if he has 220V at home?

I have seen Lincoln Weld-Pak 100s in my area go for around $150. Those are the cheapest MIG/FC wire feeders I have seen besides the HF or Craftsman type.

I'm learning on a Millermatic 135 with flux core than I'm running on a true 20 amp circuit. Other than the mess of flux and smoke I think that's the "least" welder I'd want to learn on. And it does not get along well with 15 amp circuits at all. Keep that in mind if you're wanting something to practice on at home when you can't get to dad's work.

Otherwise, I like the idea of a oxy acetylene setup. I want to learn that next.

 

[willymakeit]

Many choices on welders. Watch C/L. Spend some money and take a night course ,it will well worth your time.
Also look at the Miller welding forums, more good info, you might look at a welding machine repair shop. They may have a outdated but very good welder that someone has traded in.

 

[Tjc]

I have a 220v at home but I dont think I will be purchasing a welder for a little while. But I thank you all for the very good responses! My cousin is a very good welder- one of the best i have seen and he said he wanted to teach me how to weld so i will go to his shop. Thanks.

 

[luvit]

I have a 220v at home but I dont think I will be purchasing a welder for a little while. But I thank you all for the very good responses! My cousin is a very good welder- one of the best i have seen and he said he wanted to teach me how to weld so i will go to his shop. Thanks.

hey, here are some things i have taken notes on if that 220V welder at your home is an AC Arc welder.. the videos are awesome.

.

 

[jerkyboy]

It was a good starter welder for me, but I am over 40. He will get frustrated with the Harbor Freight wire, don't even put it in the welder. Buy a spool of .030 from Lincoln at Home Depot and use it from the start. I have built a welding table, fixed my exhaust, and am working on a recumbent tricycle. It sticks metal together very well, but there is a lot of splatter to clean up. While you are at HF get the auto dark helmet, mine works very well and it allows you to see what you are doing and use two hands on the gun.

Nice table!!! Did you make that with the HF welder? Also, do you notice less splatter with the Lincoln wire?

 

[Richard D]

What will you be welding? I have a 220V gas MIG I use for everything in my home garage. I rarely weld anything over 3/8", however. MIG is just too damned convienient. I had a stick machine in my garage for years and never once plugged it in(yes I know how to use one).

 

[gahrajmahal]

Since you are a young man just getting started I would suggest getting in the habit of wearing a welding fume respirator. A basic one starts around $7. This is something I wish was around when I was your age getting started. Other than that all the suggestions so far I agree with.

 

[-Brent-]

I'm going to go against the grain and say, yes, this could be a good place to start. For one, it's cheap (and I do like the suggestion of the Lincoln wire) and if you discover you're not really into fabrication and welding, you're not out much and could easily sell it for half of what you paid. As well, it's easy to come by. If you've got a closet filled with gear you bought for sports or hobbies that you never followed through on, this is your machine.

If you've been tinkering since you were younger and you want to build stuff rather than buy... save up a couple more bucks for a stick welder. I've seen them at yard sales for less than the HF welder.

 

[tck4x4]

Yes, I made the table with the Harbor Freight welder. I used it as practice, did the welds that would not be seen first. By the end I was pretty good at welding 1.5"x 14 ga tubing. You learn things like turn the wire speed down by one number when capping a tube to prevent burn through, and kick it up to max amps when welding a 1/4" Flat bar to the thin tube, and spend more time with the gun aimed at the 1/4" bar.
And yes there is less spatter with the Lincoln wire. After using the Lincoln wire for a few months now, I think the Harbor Freight wire varied in diameter, I was always fiddling with the tension adjustment, but with the lincoln wire I have not changed it once.

 

[5lima30]

For about the same money for the HF wire welder you can pick up a Lincoln "tombstone" arc welder used on CL. It will last a long time, he won't outgrow it and it won't be as frustrating to learn on as the HF unit. As a bonus consumables (you will use a lot learning) are much cheaper for an arc welder. JMHO.