alright, i think instead of buying myself manifolds...i think i'm going to make me one like most of you cool peeps here. However, I would like to know what kind of welding machine you guys buy. I mean I'm not doing this full time..just gonna use the welding machine from time to time. Will a generic $200~300 welding machine be enough to..say making manifolds and like weld myself a cage?

Jeff-

 

If your going to buy a welder all you need to know is how thick your going to weld. I think for what your going to do a small mig would be good, thats what I got when I started.
you have 2 choices with a mig to buy argon gas or not. I would strongly suggest to any one to buy the gas, you can mig without gas it's called flux cored wire, this is alot cheaper but welds like ----. I'm in Canada the welder costs $500 and the gas was $150. I think thats $300-350 US
hope it helps a little

 

I welded my current manifold with flux-core wire, it does weld like ----, but my manifold works....

 

well, i'm doing it as start up. so whatever the cheapest and works the best.

where can i get welder cheap? sears?

Jeff-

 

check lowes, home depot, even your local tool trucks to see if they have any used welders. i would preffer that you use gas, carbon dioxide or argon. argon welds the best in my opinion, but it costs more. you can buy bottles or you can rent them. they are reasonable. take your time and practice on scrap metal. you can pick up scrap metal at the auto mechanics at schools and at vo-tech schools. i love to weld. FIRE IS GOOD

 

walmart is the cheapest.. you can get a flux core wire feeder there for like $160.. cambell housfeld 80 amp..

if you really dont care what it looks like they have a stick welder for $80, but it is harder to do.. 80 amps will work for the thinner metals you will be using, but you wont be able to do thicker stuff..

that is if you really want cheap.. like everyone else I would definately recomend a better mig setup... I use a $400 lincoln 135 amp and I like it a lot!

 

so bigger amp means better welder right? i dont' want cheap cheap, but i want something that's decent enough for my early stage of welding. you guys inspire me too much that i have to make stuff for myself

Jeff-

 

Don't get a stick welder, I have one of those too, and unless you're gonna get a real good stick welder, all your welds will look like ----.

If you get a wire welder with gas (a MIG welder) you will have the best results with a little practice. I got mine from Menard's for $260 and it included all the fittings to make it a gas welder.

 

this is what i see @ sears

Craftsman 100-amp AC ARC good for 1/8 sheetmetal

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00920139000

What the hell is requirse 20-amp circuit?

And this..

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00920673000

Which one you guys recommand?

Jeff-