Turblow

Lets start out by saying what Im using right now. Im using a chicago electric flux core, been using it all this year. It sucks, but worked great when I needed it to

I personally am going to be attending welding trade school within this year. Looking to get my licesnce as soon as possible through a local apprenticeship. And the goal is to start my own welding/fabrication shop

What Im looking to buy is a welder. I know very little about welding but I know there are many shapes and sizes.

Most of the things I will be making are things like traction bars, downpipes, few manifold, bracketery.

Ive personally heard good things about a welder thats referred to as the "smiley" welder. I think it does TIG, Mig and has a plasma cutter? But is it what im looking for or am I off base

I also want to learn how to weld aluminum. Id like to modify/ create intercooler endtanks etc. Can the smiley do that?

I need some advise.

As for a budget, Im not looking to break the bank just yet, but I would like something that is easy to learn on and will make a quality product.

Hope someone can help

Thanks

cberman

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-30-A-PLASMA-...QQcmdZViewItem

Thats the smiley ^^

It doesnt do aluminum

Maybe look into picking something used? or look at a thermal arc ta185

It certainly is a lot more expensive than the smiley so maybe u could get a good deal on a used one or something.

Turblow

Can you trust used though? Why cant the smiley do aluminum?

Ive heard ---- about pedals and such, are they needed for TIG?

90dx

The Smiley is DC only and you need AC for welding aluminum.Having a pedal lets you adjust amperage on the fly via your foot instead of reaching back to the machine to adjust etc.If I were you I would get a Smiley for the plasma and mani making and invest in a good Miller etc wire feed and get a spool gun for doing aluminum.I took a aluminum welding night course using a spool gun and I think for the little amount you will need it a spool gun would meet your needs.That is the setup Im going to go with pretty quick here.The wire feed gets the most use for doing all mild steel jobs like exhuast,traction bars,brackets etc so i would rather spend the money on a good mig and get a cheaper tig for the little I will use it making manis etc.Having a plasma would be handy as well.

tribb333

Why do all the smiley's say they don't come with a plug? and is the arc holder something needed in order to use the plasma?

90dx

They normall dont come with a plug as there is a few different styles so you need to add the plug to match your style of outlet.The Arc holder is for stick welding.

BLACKSI

hum the next hotrex manifold shop :P

kamilk69

if your starting out and arent sure about welding i would pick up a smiley, if you end up buying some thing better, you can still sell the thing for 300 - 400$ and with patience and practice you can pull of some nice welds.

here are my smiley welds after welding for about 3months and i just learned by myself no schools.

90dx

Nice work^

Turblow

And how is the smiley as for not breaking down? Is it reliable?

I thought Id love to weld aluminum though

How is the plasma cutter? Does it eat a lot of gas?