I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

One of the many steps in my project to turbocharge my 1989 Honda Accord is to get an turbo exhaust manifold. The problem is no one makes exhaust manifolds for the 3rd generation Accord anymore.

I like to do things myself, so I have decided to make my own exhaust manifold.

First, I need to build myself a TIG welder.

Following the directions here:
http://classicbroncos.com/homemade-welder.shtml
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Welding_Projects/

I built the following DC Stick welder (to be turned into a DC TIG welder):
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/386...arge6di.th.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/2...arge2nv.th.jpg

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/3...arge3wn.th.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/420...arge9bd.th.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/527...arge1qr.th.jpg
My dad’s weld's are on the left block, mine on the right. He has been welding for at least 40 years, this picture shows the result of my 3rd stick ever.

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/348...arge5tw.th.jpg
3 10 gauge wires in parallel should be close enough to welder cable.

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/6...arge3dw.th.jpg
Our old buzzbox

Most of the welder is temporarily hooked up for testing. I plan on getting rid of the hose clamps as soon as I get some female welder plugs.

So far it has cost me about $30 for the alternator (junkyard), and $20 for the pulleys (Fleet Farm). The motor and other parts we had sitting around the farm. I used an old computer power supply to provide 12v to the motor's stator, but I really need to make a dedicated variable power supply. Right now we estimate it is putting out 120-140 amps.

You can also do this with a gas engine, but I guess you need at least a 7HP gas engine (versus the 5HP electric motor I am running).

Not shown in the pictures is my second pulley. My setup works with one, but during testing I have heard the belt slip a few times. Going dual pulley should fix that.

Right now it’s just for stick welding, but if I add on an arc starter ($20 in parts, using an old car ignition coil and some other stuff), pick up a TIG torch ($50 or so), and rent some tanks I should be ready to go. I will post more pictures when I get that far.

Anyone else here have a home made welder, or want to build one?

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

that's f'ing cool.

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

Wow :o There is DIY but this takes it to another level.That is just awesome keep the updates coming on how this turns out.

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

------- SWEET dude

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

That's an awesome diy, i want to build one right now!

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

that is pretty cool man..but that much electricity kinda scares me haha..i dont trust myself enough to build something like that ;D

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

make a DIY collector for your DIY ramhorn on a HMT kit with the DIY welder.... you will become HMT's new hero.

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

nice, i've been wanting to build my own welder for a while, i weld for part of my liveing so i can usaly do small stuff at work but nothin too in-depth, deffinitely cool

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

there's a diy out there to make a plasma cutter out of a microwave transformer too >:D do it

Re: I built my own welder, and you can too.
 

badassm up the ying yang!!!! :o