Welder for beginner
- Thread starter katit
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I had accounts at Airgas and Air Liquide. Now that AL owns Airgas in North America I only have to go to ONE source to get a$$f***ed.
A real timesaver.
Aaron_W
Well-known member
Maybe not the drive wheel, probably depends on the welder. Mine is two sided one side for .030 / .035 and flip it over for .024.
Included wire is just to get you started, mine only came with a roll of 0.030" and 2 contact tips.
Contact tips are a consumable item and cheap, I bought a pack of 5 tips and a 2lb spool for each size to have it available.
I wouldn't say 0.030" is the "go to" size. Both 0.030" and 0.035" are good flexible sizes so it will mostly be personal preference. I do mostly sheet metal and thin wall tubular steel so 0.030" is a good match for me, but it works fine for 1/8-1/4" as well. 0.035" would probably be a better choice for someone doing more in the 1/8-3/8" size, but it works fine for sheet metal down to at least 18 gauge.
0.024" is more specialized, I wouldn't expect to see it unless someone was doing mostly lighter weight sheet metal.
0.035 sample I got is fluxed core, so I can't use it. For solid wire I got only 0.025
You are correct: Manual said that 0.035 wheel side can be used for 0.030. So I only need tips if I decide to go 0.030
Seems like I need to get either 0.030 wire + tips or just 0.035 wire for now (got 3 tips)
I doubt I will be welding sheet metal any soon. And if I do - probably 0.025 spool I have will do best.
So far my projects will be 1/8 or little thicker tubing, maybe hangers, exhaust, seat repairs. Don't think there will be any 1/4 any soon.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
I always recommend high end. Buy once cry once. To me the HTP Propulse 220 is the best value (although it cost over $2K) in MIG welders available anywhere. For one thing it's got the power, the duty cycle and the quality equal to or better than any Miller or Lincoln and secondly the pulse feature gives you capability nothing else anywhere near its price range offers. It also is a synergic machine that's preprogramed for damn near anything. Its aluminum pulsed spray arc capability alone (can weld aluminum all day without the need for a spool gun) clinches it for me. Once you use pulse MIG (nearly zero spatter) you'll never go back. Stel in Italy makes all of HTP's welders and they're a top European brand similar to Fronius. THIS IS THE WAY TO GO AND IT WILL LAST YOU A LIFETIME.
sberry
Banned
It's really a 030 machine. It will run 035 but doesn't do much for IR on the top and makes it harder on light stuff. Big difference with 023 on auto body sheet,,, lots easier. The 030 let's it take advantage of the full output, a lot better for structural.
You can wring 5 or 10 more amps out the top with 035 but the nice arc turns to shat at that point. It's a small machine, works better with small wire.
You can wring 5 or 10 more amps out the top with 035 but the nice arc turns to shat at that point. It's a small machine, works better with small wire.
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dnschmidt
Well-known member
lis2323 go to USAWELD.com for all the pics and data on the Propulse 220. Go to YouTube for many videos on the machine and what it can do.
engineer2
Well-known member
I used to have a Miller welder setup 30 years ago for MIG and SS with Tri-blend, but sadly sold it. Since my daughter got her cat converter stolen it got me wondering if the muffler shops weld with stainless wire or flux core. I wasn't there to ask, so I don't know. For what she paid to have it fixed, I could have bought a MIG welder.
Question: What's an inexpensive/acceptable way to weld SS exhaust systems?
Question: What's an inexpensive/acceptable way to weld SS exhaust systems?
As for me, I'm now using Hobart 500559 welder. I repair my car with this unit and have no problem. This MIG welder works with Cast Iron, Copper, Brass, Titanium, Magnesium, and Aluminium (this is from my experience, I think it can do more things).
But for a beginner, I'd recommend choosing a TIG welder like Sungoldpower. I've started with a TIG unit when I was a beginner and I think it was a good experience.
To understand more how MIG and TIG work you can read the article from one of the reputable resources.
But for a beginner, I'd recommend choosing a TIG welder like Sungoldpower. I've started with a TIG unit when I was a beginner and I think it was a good experience.
To understand more how MIG and TIG work you can read the article from one of the reputable resources.
Hello buddy! Yes, I agree, welding is really a very interesting thing! I'm almost sure that this is even to some extent art because this is a very delicate work, isn't it? By the way, I took a welding course not too long ago. On-site and online classes are available. After graduation, with the help of my cousin Anthony, I was able to get a job in a fairly large construction company. Due to my hard work, I was transferred to a higher position after a year and a half. It's never too late to learn something n
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I don't have a suggestion and I didn't read the whole thread. Just popped in to suggest you get an auto darkening welding helmet.
I'm a rank amateur welder. I use a flux-core mig at home. The helmet improved my results immensely though - since I could actually see what I was doing.
A variable shade auto-darkening helmet lets me line up the weld instead of trying to hold steady while I flip down the helmet, then trying to adjust once I can use the arc flash to see. Plus I can tune the shade level so I can see better while welding.
I'm able to weld well-enough for what I use it for. Often I have to grind down my welds after so no one can see my wobbly hack job, but I get good penetration and my tests indicate adequate strength.
I'm a rank amateur welder. I use a flux-core mig at home. The helmet improved my results immensely though - since I could actually see what I was doing.
A variable shade auto-darkening helmet lets me line up the weld instead of trying to hold steady while I flip down the helmet, then trying to adjust once I can use the arc flash to see. Plus I can tune the shade level so I can see better while welding.
I'm able to weld well-enough for what I use it for. Often I have to grind down my welds after so no one can see my wobbly hack job, but I get good penetration and my tests indicate adequate strength.
Makoto
Well-known member
I built my whole car with a handler 140 mig and use it all the time. most people will never need a 220v mig.
alot of the newer inverters are dual voltage by default as this gives them more versatility. ya the weekend joe would probly be fine on 110 but how could anyone regret having extra horsepower waiting on stand by. ill never own a 110 only machine but thats just me
ClappedOutBport
Well-known member
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2016
- Messages
- 998
Well that's great. Means you weld a lot of one thickness. For a farmer, which is included in "most people", who needs to weld 1/4 and 3/8" plate, the handler 140 is worthless. So it just depends on what you need to do more than your skill level.
Makoto
Well-known member
K, I was answering the OP and since we outnumber you aaand that's all the statistical data i have I'm gonna have to doubty you on that one
I weld all kinds of thicknesses. super thin stuff up to 1/4" plate. the main difference is duty cycle. my tig on 110 will cut out pretty quick but when its on 220 it'll go longer than me.
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jonesg
Well-known member
I just bought a yeswelder 205 DS $400, 120/220v mig, tig (steel), flux core and stick , can also use alum spoolgun.
it turned out to be wired with reversed output, I complained and they sent me a new machine, I kept the original welder and after switching the gun and ground clamp around it works perfect. Gave it to the farmer next door, he always plows my driveway.
Bought it to weld my exhaust flex pipe to cat converter. I have a gas bottle but never use it, flux core wire is perfectly good.
Previously had a tig 200 amp for 12 years, too finicky, everything has to be immaculately clean, no welding exh pipe with rust on it.
it works great, i'm having success doing **** joints on scrap exh pipes I found in a dumpster. I chop the pipe into 4 inch sections and weld it all back together for practice. Come next spring i'll be good enough to do my volvo exh system.
It might not have affected which machine I chose, but I took a leisure course from a local high school. Time on oxytorch, then a little learning on stick, mig, TIG, and plasma. I wished I’d done that first. I’d recommend doing that before buying a machine - it will tell you a lot about which process you want.
seber
Well-known member
I think he probably bought one by now. It's been five years.
Bots don't care.