im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

k, think i should start of with: i have never welded before. i would like to get a welder for things like exhaust, downpipes, turbo manifold, some sheet metal (my car needs a new radiator core support) ---- like that...not building a bridge or any crazy ---- like that :P

i am also a cheap fucker, but i realize that a welder is a tool and somethign that i can cheap out on, but i also dont have shitloads of money to spend on one.

so here is what i have come up with (btw the garage only has 110v):
Hobart 135
Lincoln SP135T
Craftsman
another Craftsman

so whats your guys opinions on these? all look to be wire feed gas migs, 110v, and have everything you need execpt a tank and gas...

while were at it, how much is a tank and gas? never here anyone talk about that?

thanks! :-*

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

definitely ditch the craftsman. hobart 135 is good, lincoln 135t is better imo. not so much for the hardware, but the support and popularity. you cant go wrong with either.

ya everyone here is cheap and all, but this is one of those things you just gotta bite your lip and fork out for, and im glad i did as well. i got the lincoln weld-pak 100 hd from home depot with gas capability.

i believe the gas upgrade kit is about 100, and a tank is around 80-100, plus fill up.

you'll find that its kinda hard at first to weld pipes with the fluxcore even at the lowest settings, but eventually youll get the hang of it. gas will make it much easier, cleaner (=less splatter cleanup), and look better. sometimes it gets downright frustrating and i just want the gas ASAP. but for the price i can live w/o it for a while.

exhaust, downpipes, turbo manifold, some sheet metal
-im doing the same, except i only need to weld the flange on the manifold, not weld the whole thing together. your extra amperage over mine should handle it better.
-sheet metal is gonna be a bitch w/o gas. i suggest doing many short burst tack welds at the lowest settings. youll get plenty of burn-throughs at first.

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

thanks.....

this ---- is gonna be expensive...welder, gas, tank, better helmet, chop saw, angle/die grinders.....im sure it will pay for its self though...

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

serf the local pawn shops. i got my angle grinder for 15, makita 10 inch chop saw for 40 and my welder for 135. thats budget for ya....oh and got my mask for free from a friend

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

I'd definitely invest in the gas, it makes things alot easier. I just bought my bottle, its smaller than a nitrous bottle and cost like 70, but it's only 15 to fill it. I also have the first cheap craftsman welder you showed and it works pretty well but I honestly don't expect it to last very long. If you can any way afford it, I would invest in the hobart or Lincoln.

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

is this a good one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...category=45031

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

that first craftsmen one has been out of stock since christmas, the second one doens't take gas, I don't think.

I have a craftsmen, like the first one you posted, but without the stand. I can't say how good it is, I learned how to weld with that fucker 2 days ago in my driveway when I put my rice can on.

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

damn another 100bucks for gas...

my local pawn shops are thieves...heavly used ---- for 20bucks cheaper than new (60-100bucks for a ------ power drill?)

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

dustin remember they mark ---- high cause they expect to be haggled down. go there with your poker face and give em hell

Re:im on the hunt for a welder.....need some help
 

just like the wrecking yards