how useful is an arc welder?
 

ive been looking at buying an arc welder recently, and i dont really know how it would compare to a MIG welder. i really only plan to make my exhaust system and charge pipings with it and basically store it in the corner of the garage. can anybody tell me if an arc welder is sufficient for making charge pipings and an exhaust system?

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

i would get a cheap mig, just easier to use

and having a welder is priceless



richie

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

even then, the cheapest MIG welder is still twice the price of the arc welder i was looking at. ive used a MIG welder before, and i know how much easier it probably is, but would an arc welder actually be sufficient for the job of charge pipings and exhaust systems?

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

will a buzzbox work, yes.

will it look assugly, yes.

go for it.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

arc welders dont produce a half decent looking weld compared to a MIG?

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

I miss my A20A3

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

Arc welding will make very nice welds if you know what your doing.I say go for it they are so cheap you might as well and know one on HMT will ---- on you for ugle welds.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

atleast your honest about it :)

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

arc welder = buzzbox?
if so.. : http://www.tigdepot.com/products/p35TD-BBTF.htm

converts a "buzzbox" to tig.
costs about 200..
for that, you could probably get a HF tig/arc machine..

:S :y

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

all welders are arc. so they're pretty useful

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

I've got a super ghetto stick welder I got from "Princess Auto" for $77. Its pretty ----, but, it lets me tack ---- up to take to a friend of mine that has a decent welder. I might trey to weld up some other stuff with it and see how it go's.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

ive never touched anything but stick and i haven't yet to require a mig to do any of my welds :S

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

I've used Arc (stick welder) only a few times. I don't care for them too much. If I can do the job with a mig I'll use a Mig. Sticks usually can get better penetration than some migs can but I would say If your going to buy one for exhaust tubing and stuff, go with a mig. Your welds will look cleaner, you will be able to control the weld better, and they are easier to learn how to weld with.

For the extra $$ get a mig welder and make sure you use a shielding gas setup. Flux cored sucks balls.

I <3 my hobart 180

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

Getting a stick welder for charge pipes and exhaust is a waste, you have to be pretty good with one to weld stuff that thin with an arc welder, go for a wire feed or don't bother

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

FCAW doesn't "suck balls" 99% of people on here just don't have a clue how to weld with that process.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

Oh when I said flux cored sucks balls I meant flux cored mig, not stick. Stick is good if you know how to use it.

Welding with shielding gas is no different than welding with flux cored on a Mig welder. The process doesn't change at all. Your welds will just come out cleaner, with much less spatter.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

i am almost done with my flux core migged exhaust. looks like ass but yet it will work. will post pics when i'm done.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

The biggest thing is the heat range settings on the flux-core machines. A cheap arc welder will produce welds that look just as ------- nasty as any wire-feed will. If the choice was between an arc welder with descent heat adjustments VS a wire-feed welder that has 2 heat settings. Take the arc welder every day of the week.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

First thing's first. What kind of an "arc welder" are you talking about? Mig, tig, plasma, or stick?

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

i'm sure he's talking about an stick welder

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

ya, its a stick welder. i only plan to use it once, so i guess at half the cost, i might not be able to go wrong cause a MIG is just extra garnish.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

Just be sure to get an AC/DC one. It's much easier to weld thin stuff with DC. HF has one on sale now for like $120. Get an auto dark helmet if you don't have one, they make a huge difference. You can make nice welds with stick, just leave the slag on until your done and then chip it all off. If you did it right, you'll have a decent looking weld.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

There is no such thing as flux cored MIG or flux cored stick. There is however, FCAW, GMAW, and SMAW. All three different processes. FCAW and GMAW can share similar machines however, as they are both a wirefeed semiautomatic weld process.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

Don't forget about "dual-shield"... it's so easy a kid can do it.

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

True, but how often do you see dual sheild used for automotive applications? ;D

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

fluxcore harbor freight style


If you practice with it it does the job. Will never look pretty but hey for 129 bucks cant cry about it

Re: how useful is an arc welder?
 

That doesn't mean that it won't work well. It would work MUCH better than MIG or flux core will.