"Dave Bugg" wrote

Well, I imagine the OP would love to hear your thoughts, then.

--
Dave
www.davebbq.com

Please do try to keep up ..........................


"Bob" wrote in message
...
I have the hankering to buy a welder, probably a wire feed type. I looked
at one on sale at "The Tractor Store". It was 110V input which is what I
want. 85 Amp output. Uses .030, 035, or 040 wire. Biggest problem I see
is that the instruction book said for metal up to 3/16'th inch. Tha'ts
not
very thick, I'D prefer maybe up to 3/8'th inch, or more.

I'd really appreciate some of the features I need to look for in a wire
welder.

BTW: I don't really have a need for one, it is just one of those things I
want. I might be better off to forget it altogether.

Your thoughts please.

Bob



I have welded 31 years.

Some simple observations:

1. Buy a quality machine no matter what brand. Miller or Lincoln are the
best. You will be able to get it serviced, buy consumables, and they are
just a better machine than the cheapos. Even if you are not going to use it
much, buy a good one.

2. Anticipate your future needs. Already you are thinking about bigger
materials. Once you get bitten by the welding bug (and your friends,
relatives, inlaws, and neighbors find out), you will have all sorts of
things to build. If you buy too small, you will be limited.

3. A lot depends on budget, but this is definitely a tool that you can make
money with, even at a hobby level.

4. Your power supply has a lot to do with it, too. Some machines are 110,
some 220. If you have a 110, you can plug it in most anywhere, or run it
off a generator in the back of a truck in the middle of a cow pasture. A
220 takes more power, but will do thicker work.

5. BE AWARE OF THE DUTY CYCLE! Caps intentional. Duty cycle is what
percent of the time you can actually weld before the machine has to cool
down. You may start off fixing lawnmower handles, and not need a big duty
cycle, like 20%. But if you start making gates or fence, you're going to
drink a lot of coffee and smoke a lot of cigarettes while waiting, and
you'll always have your machine heated to its max, and I don't think that's
good.

6. Consider used. Buy a used Miller or Lincoln for half of what it costs
new, and you will save a lot. If you got the cash, though, new is the way
to go.

7. Buy only bottles that are owned by the user. They will NOT have a
company name stamped on the thick collar. Otherwise, the first time you
take it for a refill, they will thank you for bringing back their bottle,
and that's all you get. Get a signed receipt and ID, or the price you will
pay goes down.

8. Buy only a machine that is capable of using gas. That way you can weld
thick and thin. Gas MIG welding for thin stuff, and gasless flux core for
thicker stuff. You won't be limited, and mark my words, if you get into
welding at all, you will hit your limitations if you buy a flux core only
machine, or a light one with a light duty cycle.

9. What you want is about $700. I have a Lincoln 175SP+. Google it up.
Beautiful machine. Reliable as a mule. A bottle will cost you under $100.
To buy everything of good quality will cost you about a grand. But you will
be buying a Cadillac that won't leave you broke down somewhere. If you
decide to sell, the resale is better than Long Dong Chang brands.

10. Consider an autodark hood, if even a Harbor Freight cheapo. Shortens
the learning curve. If you've got the money, the NexGen EQC is good. I
have that one and love it.

11. Buy and use good safety equipment. Gloves are cheap, and cheap gloves
can be good. Use good safety glasses, and they aren't expensive. Cover up
your skin, as the rays can give you skin cancer VERY easily. I like
Wrangler khaki shirts for their ease of putting on and off, and their
thickness. If you are going to weld under cars and such, invest in a
leather jacket. They can be had on ebay cheap. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS
wear earplugs, as one red hot BB in the ear will ruin the next year of your
life! I like the half circle spring clip ones that are easy to put on, and
hang on your neck when you're not welding. I can't overstress the earplug
thing, and have known a couple of welders who had very serious career ending
incidents from one tiny red hot BB.

Lastly, take a welding class. For well spent bucks, they will let you use
several different machines, you will get a lot of practice, and you will
have hands on experience with which to make a decision.

HTH

Sorry for being long winded, but if you're going to part with a grand, get
your money's worth, and don't be regretting it a month down the line because
you didn't buy the deluxe model.

Steve