I plan on starting to build weight racks and other smaller projects to learn how to weld properly and eventually (in a few years) want to start building trailers. I also need something that will power itself because it will not always have a power source. What do y'all suggest?
welder shopping
- Thread starter bqstarts
- Start date
bob15
Well-known member
Gas powered welder. But first, take some welding classes at your local college.
I learned to weld, not professionally, on a stick welder. You should first go to a local library, check out books on welding, and read up on the subject. Welding consists of technical knowledge about metals, etc, and then learning techniques, then developing manual skills through practice.
Re welding away from power, Lincoln use to make a model called Weldanpower which was a combination generator and welder. The generator could be used as a power source but I don't remember the capacity and i don't know if anything like that is still made. It was fairly inexpensive, but there are larger expensive models.
KEH
Re welding away from power, Lincoln use to make a model called Weldanpower which was a combination generator and welder. The generator could be used as a power source but I don't remember the capacity and i don't know if anything like that is still made. It was fairly inexpensive, but there are larger expensive models.
KEH
I appreciate the advise and I do plan on taking a welding class. I taught myself to weld some very basic things through books etc. and the use of my brother's Miller mig but I still can't figure out how to know if my welds are getting the depth I should be getting. Either way I will definitely take a class before I start making trailers!
sam.coll
Well-known member
Not sure Id be learning to weld on something like weight racks.... 
BottomLineReviews
Well-known member
I learned to weld on 22-24 gauge
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Engine powered welders are very expensive because they are designed for heavy duty usage. These typically are arc only, so you would have to buy extras for MIG/TIG. $$$ Used ones tend to have a lot of hours on them.
As crazy as it sounds, you might be better off with a separate generator and welder. 5,000 watt (higher surge) generator should be good.
As crazy as it sounds, you might be better off with a separate generator and welder. 5,000 watt (higher surge) generator should be good.
You will learn a lot in one class but not enough.
BD1
Well-known member
Engine drives are not the quietest running machines out there. As for fuel usage, my 302 Trailblazer might use maybe a gallon a hour.
ZRX61
Well-known member
Knock out a few test pieces of varying thicknesses & cut them in half. I was taught to put test pieces in a vise & then attempt to break the weld by bending/flexing it with a BFH. If you're doing it right the metal will break somewhere other than the weld.
I wouldn't worry so much about the depth of your welds being too deep for whatever machine you get.
I have the cheapest HF wire welder and can still weld as deep as anyone. You wouldn't want to do it professionally because it adds a ton of time to each project. But if you cut enough chamfer/channel in your joints, there's really not a limit to how deep you can go with ANY welder.
But with a small wire welder like mine, you might have to make quite a few passes with the wire speed up pretty high to fill in the channel. And the duty cycle will be pretty annoying.
Bu that wire is something like 70,000psi, so you'd be fine making a weight bench with it.
I really like having the cheap one. And when I need to weld out in the pasture, I just throw the little Honda generator in the bucket with me. I never learned to arc a 12v battery like my dad can.
I have the cheapest HF wire welder and can still weld as deep as anyone. You wouldn't want to do it professionally because it adds a ton of time to each project. But if you cut enough chamfer/channel in your joints, there's really not a limit to how deep you can go with ANY welder.
But with a small wire welder like mine, you might have to make quite a few passes with the wire speed up pretty high to fill in the channel. And the duty cycle will be pretty annoying.
Bu that wire is something like 70,000psi, so you'd be fine making a weight bench with it.
I really like having the cheap one. And when I need to weld out in the pasture, I just throw the little Honda generator in the bucket with me. I never learned to arc a 12v battery like my dad can.