all you welders..question for ya
 

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-

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

the cage has to be welded perfectly if its gonna pass inspection at most trcks...but i too have a ceaper, 110 volt lincol welder (about 300 i think) that works well with most stuff

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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

where can i get welder cheap? sears?

Jeff-

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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!

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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-

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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.

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

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-

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

the links dont work...
a 20 amp circuit just means the welder pulls 20 amps so if you have a little breaker, you would need to put at least a 20 amp in or it will keep popping... I wouldnt worry about that.. cheap and easy to fix if needs be, but most garage outlets will be fine

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

you have to cut and paste to get it work. anyway, you think i should go w/ the 100amp one instead of 80? hehehehe..think i'll go pick it up tomorrow

Jeff-

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

---- those nice welders just use jb weld

Beau

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

if your desicion is based on that price range this is a MUCH better welder for $199 - 88 amp (it will be strong enough for what you need)

http://www.homedepot.com/prel80/HDUS...tOID=100014760

that is what I would get for a cheap welder - it gives you expandability.. for about $100 you can convert to mig later, when you decide that a flux weld is way too ugly to be on your car

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

hmm.. my link doesn't work either... just pull up www.homedepot.com and search for

Lincoln Electric
Lincoln Electric Weld-Pak HD Combination Wire-Feeder/Welder and Accessories
Model: #K2188-1
SKU: #599595
199.00

or go to tools > welding > wirefeedwelders and it is the top one

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

i tried to do a search on it...and all i get is the $325 one :-[ anyway, i still don't know the difference between 100amp, 80amp and 88amp isn't it the more the better? the craftsman one is upgradable as well...

Jeff-

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

Get one off ebay. I got my 135amp Clarke for ~$95.




Mike

Re:all you welders..question for ya
 

i just bought the craftsman 100amp ac arc welder. comes w/ a mask and blah blah blah for only 140. think that'll do me good for now :)

Jeff-