Hey guys,
Since i was a little kid i been fascinated by the art of welding.
I been thinking of learning how to weld. Today i went to walmart
and noticed they had three choices of welders for sale, and arc
($99), a wire feed ($199), mig wire feed (regular $299, on sale $199
now).

I want to learn to weld and the projects i want to do are things
like building go carts, maybe some auto-body work.

Which welder you recommend i buy to start learning to weld?

Thanks!

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hey guys,
Since i was a little kid i been fascinated by the art of welding.
I been thinking of learning how to weld. Today i went to walmart
and noticed they had three choices of welders for sale, and arc
($99), a wire feed ($199), mig wire feed (regular $299, on sale $199
now).

I want to learn to weld and the projects i want to do are things
like building go carts, maybe some auto-body work.

Which welder you recommend i buy to start learning to weld?

Thanks!

I would say take a course at your local community college/vocational school
first, if that's an option where you live. Otherwise, for sheet metal work,
I like MIG. I'm not sure what you're going to get for $199, though. Do a
Google Groups search, this discussion has been done about a million times.

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 22:25:26 -0500, "ATP*" wrote:


wrote in message
oups.com...
Hey guys,
Since i was a little kid i been fascinated by the art of welding.
I been thinking of learning how to weld. Today i went to walmart
and noticed they had three choices of welders for sale, and arc
($99), a wire feed ($199), mig wire feed (regular $299, on sale $199
now).

I want to learn to weld and the projects i want to do are things
like building go carts, maybe some auto-body work.

Which welder you recommend i buy to start learning to weld?

Thanks!

I would say take a course at your local community college/vocational school
first, if that's an option where you live. Otherwise, for sheet metal work,
I like MIG. I'm not sure what you're going to get for $199, though. Do a
Google Groups search, this discussion has been done about a million times.

Im going to go out on a limb here, and get flamed like the dickens
(doning Nomex suit), but if you are just starting, just wanting to
dabble, and if you find you dont like welding and want to get most or
some of your money back....the Lincoln SP 135T mig welder.
Or the SP 135Plus

http://www.welders-direct.com/mercha...Code =K1873-1
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...eet.asp?p=7082

It runs 110vts, so you can run it from a 15 amp cicuit breaker in your
garage, its capable of running flux core or gas shielded wire,
stainless steel, regular steel. Its supposed to be able to weld 1/8"
aluminum. Ive not tried. Shrug..

The SP 135Plus is a bit more powerful for more some more money.

I would also buy a Harbor Freight auto darkening welders mask
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91212
in particular..a pair of their welding gloves

A right angle grinder from the same place.....
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91223
(often on sale for $19)

along with a box of their grinding disks and a wire cup wheel
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45651

(though you would be better served later buying your wire cup wheels
from one of the posters here, Tom Gardner..Ohio Brush..good ****
Maynard)

And..and here comes the flame part..a tank of CO2 gas instead of the
argon/co2 mix. Ive recently started using CO2 instead of Argon/Co2
mix..and while the weld is not as "pretty", its hot, burns deep, burns
through rust very well, gives good penetration and is exceptionally
cheap to use. Its not recommended for thin sheet metal though. Burns a
bit too hot unless you downsize to a much smaller wire. Shrug.

On the other hand.....You can do very good work with the above welder
using flux core wire when starting out. The welder is capable of up
to 1/4" steel welds with the proper technique. Its also very capable
of using .030 wire, which means you can spend less time building up
your weldments, but is also capable of using the smaller wires for
doing delicate sheet metal work.

I used one of the Harbor Freight Mig welders, and it was a decent
machine for its type, but its not the machine that the Lincoln is, nor
does it have the same ratio for resale value if you ever want to sell
it. Shrug...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91124

Its not a bad machine, even for a biginner. Others will flame me over
this G

If you are able to spend in the $600-700 range..this is probably one
of the finest machines you will find
http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p000029.htm

The Miller 175, but it does take a 220 volt circuit to run it. A
marvelous machine.

Stick welders are common, can be purchased new or used quite
reasonably..but for a newby..I personally think MIG is easier to
use/learn and stick is harder to use with sheetmetal.

I have commercial grade stick, and mig and tig machines. Shrug...I use
them all for the application most suited to each of them, but the MIGs
get the most use for "utility" usage. Hell, I even have a plasma
welder..but thats exotic stuff you will never use...chuckle.

Im not a "welder". Im whats called in the oil patch..a dauber. G
but I tend to make things that pass the BFH test, if not the Pretty
Test.

Just my .02USD worth, and on discount tonight only G

Btw...check your local welding dealers for trade ins and used
machines. You can often pick them up for far less than half the new
price, when someone upgrades as their skill set or needs increase.

You can often find older commercial grade machines quite cheaply. But
they typically require 220vt power. (becareful they dont sell you a
3phase machine..unless you live in Europe and have 3phase at your
home.)

Again..its hard to beat the Lincoln. Support is good, the design is
good, consumables are available everywhere, and you can often find
them in the Big Box stores or heavily discounted on the internet.

Its NOT a commercial grade machine, but then...do you really need a
commercial grade machine?

Gunner

Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 07:10:44 GMT, the inscrutable Gunner
spake:

On Sun, 20 Mar 2005 22:25:26 -0500, "ATP*" wrote:


wrote in message
roups.com...
Hey guys,
Since i was a little kid i been fascinated by the art of welding.
I been thinking of learning how to weld. Today i went to walmart
and noticed they had three choices of welders for sale, and arc
($99), a wire feed ($199), mig wire feed (regular $299, on sale $199
now).

I want to learn to weld and the projects i want to do are things
like building go carts, maybe some auto-body work.

Which welder you recommend i buy to start learning to weld?

Thanks!

I would say take a course at your local community college/vocational school
first, if that's an option where you live. Otherwise, for sheet metal work,
I like MIG. I'm not sure what you're going to get for $199, though. Do a
Google Groups search, this discussion has been done about a million times.

Yeah, classes are good.


Im going to go out on a limb here, and get flamed like the dickens
(doning Nomex suit), but if you are just starting, just wanting to
dabble, and if you find you dont like welding and want to get most or
some of your money back....the Lincoln SP 135T mig welder.
Or the SP 135Plus

Bzzzzzt! Beginners are good to go with $200 welders. ($120 in my case)
I'd steer him toward a MIG or the $199 TIG at Harbor Freight instead
of a $700 welder. If bought new, he'd instantly lose $400 minimum if
he tried to resell it. The cheapie might easily resell for the same
price he paid IF he didn't keep it as a backup.


I would also buy a Harbor Freight auto darkening welders mask
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91212
in particular..a pair of their welding gloves

Ditto both. I cannot believe how much better I can weld with that
auto-darkening mask over the little handheld faceplate which came
with my stick welder.


A right angle grinder from the same place.....
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91223
(often on sale for $19)

along with a box of their grinding disks and a wire cup wheel
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45651

Chiwanese Acupuncturist FRAG GRENADE, aka "wire cup wheel"? Don your
flak vests and double up on gloves and eye protection, guys!


Im not a "welder". Im whats called in the oil patch..a dauber. G
but I tend to make things that pass the BFH test, if not the Pretty
Test.

The BFH test is where it's at.


BTW, it was great talking with you the other day (despite your bloody
cell phone flaking out half a dozen times.) I look forward to the trip
down there in July to fill up my pickup bed. I don't DARE bring a
trailer as I'm sure I'd fill it AND the bed. Ayup, maybe I'm glad I
don't own a knuckle boom truck. g

---
After they make styrofoam, what do they ship it in? --Steven Wright
http://diversify.com Comprehensive Website Development

Larry Jaques wrote:

Bzzzzzt! Beginners are good to go with $200 welders. ($120 in my case)
I'd steer him toward a MIG or the $199 TIG at Harbor Freight instead
of a $700 welder. If bought new, he'd instantly lose $400 minimum if
he tried to resell it. The cheapie might easily resell for the same
price he paid IF he didn't keep it as a backup.

Agreed. I just sold my 90-amp 120V Crapsman for exactly what I paid new
for it, 3 years ago.
Looking for a new one, with more power, I find Hobart 120-amp
welders for $250 on ebay stores, ButItNow



--
- -
Rex Burkheimer
WM Automotive
Fort Worth TX

"Rex B" wrote in message
...
Larry Jaques wrote:

Bzzzzzt! Beginners are good to go with $200 welders. ($120 in my case)
I'd steer him toward a MIG or the $199 TIG at Harbor Freight instead
of a $700 welder. If bought new, he'd instantly lose $400 minimum if
he tried to resell it. The cheapie might easily resell for the same
price he paid IF he didn't keep it as a backup.

Agreed. I just sold my 90-amp 120V Crapsman for exactly what I paid new
for it, 3 years ago.
Looking for a new one, with more power, I find Hobart 120-amp
welders for $250 on ebay stores, ButItNow



What welding rod and settings would you guys suggest for a beginner, Im
repairing a tractor bucket as my first project--3/16 thick probly A36, stick
welding....I have a 400 amp welder cv cc......

--

SVL

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 06:25:52 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:


Im going to go out on a limb here, and get flamed like the dickens
(doning Nomex suit), but if you are just starting, just wanting to
dabble, and if you find you dont like welding and want to get most or
some of your money back....the Lincoln SP 135T mig welder.
Or the SP 135Plus

Bzzzzzt! Beginners are good to go with $200 welders. ($120 in my case)
I'd steer him toward a MIG or the $199 TIG at Harbor Freight instead
of a $700 welder. If bought new, he'd instantly lose $400 minimum if
he tried to resell it. The cheapie might easily resell for the same
price he paid IF he didn't keep it as a backup.

A note..the SP 135T is often found on the net and in the big box
stores for about $350. The Plus version for about $150 more. Which
is why I suggested the T version first off.

You will also note I did include a semi-glowing comment and link to
the HF machines G


I would also buy a Harbor Freight auto darkening welders mask
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91212
in particular..a pair of their welding gloves

Ditto both. I cannot believe how much better I can weld with that
auto-darkening mask over the little handheld faceplate which came
with my stick welder.


A right angle grinder from the same place.....
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91223
(often on sale for $19)

along with a box of their grinding disks and a wire cup wheel
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=45651

Chiwanese Acupuncturist FRAG GRENADE, aka "wire cup wheel"? Don your
flak vests and double up on gloves and eye protection, guys!

G...indeed. I should note however..that Tom Gardners wire wheels are
the finest Ive ever used and the stickers that I pull out of my hide
are few and far between with his wheels. Absolutly freaking marvelous.
and I use all sizes, including a big assed 5" on the big Milwaukee 9"
grinder.

The wire wheels are pretty darned important if you are welding up
"salveaged" metals...IE..rusty ****. You can get down to bare metal
without grinding the snot out of it, or screwing up the surface
finish.

Im not a "welder". Im whats called in the oil patch..a dauber. G
but I tend to make things that pass the BFH test, if not the Pretty
Test.

The BFH test is where it's at.

Chuckle...indeed.


BTW, it was great talking with you the other day (despite your bloody
cell phone flaking out half a dozen times.) I look forward to the trip
down there in July to fill up my pickup bed. I don't DARE bring a
trailer as I'm sure I'd fill it AND the bed. Ayup, maybe I'm glad I
don't own a knuckle boom truck. g

G It was my pleasure also. Next time we talk, Ill try to not be in
a moving vehicle traveling through the oil fields in all the dead
spots.

I got all the machines moved. It took me 2 full days of moving not
only my stuff, but helping the crew move all the race cars, welding
trucks, engines, several hundred transmissions and so forth.

Not bad for a fellow who the day before had been in bed for 5
days..nearly unable to move.

Course..I can barely move today..hurt from head to toe...even my
fingers hurt to type. Shrug...a man has to do what a man has to do.

Sisu.

Gunner, going back to bed shortly.


Every normal man must be tempted, at times, to spit on his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats.
H. L. Mencken

G...indeed. I should note however..that Tom Gardners wire wheels are
the finest Ive ever used and the stickers that I pull out of my hide
are few and far between with his wheels. Absolutly freaking marvelous.
and I use all sizes, including a big assed 5" on the big Milwaukee 9"
grinder.

Blush

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 19:01:15 GMT, the inscrutable Gunner
spake:

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 06:25:52 -0800, Larry Jaques
wrote:


Im going to go out on a limb here, and get flamed like the dickens
(doning Nomex suit), but if you are just starting, just wanting to
dabble, and if you find you dont like welding and want to get most or
some of your money back....the Lincoln SP 135T mig welder.
Or the SP 135Plus

Bzzzzzt! Beginners are good to go with $200 welders. ($120 in my case)
I'd steer him toward a MIG or the $199 TIG at Harbor Freight instead
of a $700 welder. If bought new, he'd instantly lose $400 minimum if
he tried to resell it. The cheapie might easily resell for the same
price he paid IF he didn't keep it as a backup.

A note..the SP 135T is often found on the net and in the big box
stores for about $350. The Plus version for about $150 more. Which
is why I suggested the T version first off.

Checking www.weldingsupply.com and the 135T is $399, the 135+ is $505.


You will also note I did include a semi-glowing comment and link to
the HF machines G

True. Oh, I was thinking that the Lincolns were going for $1,500 when
I wrote that $400 instant loss figure. It's prolly under $200.


Chiwanese Acupuncturist FRAG GRENADE, aka "wire cup wheel"? Don your
flak vests and double up on gloves and eye protection, guys!

G...indeed. I should note however..that Tom Gardners wire wheels are
the finest Ive ever used and the stickers that I pull out of my hide
are few and far between with his wheels. Absolutly freaking marvelous.
and I use all sizes, including a big assed 5" on the big Milwaukee 9"
grinder.

You did note that his wire wheels were superb already. I'll bet using
a 5-incher on a 9" grinder is a fun thing. Kinda like a pistol-grip
30" power floor waxer, wot?


The wire wheels are pretty darned important if you are welding up
"salveaged" metals...IE..rusty ****. You can get down to bare metal
without grinding the snot out of it, or screwing up the surface
finish.

Yeah, I need to shop with Tom soon.


Im not a "welder". Im whats called in the oil patch..a dauber. G
but I tend to make things that pass the BFH test, if not the Pretty
Test.

The BFH test is where it's at.

Chuckle...indeed.

And that's Big Ford Hammah to you, suh. (Use Sawzalls on Chebbies.)


BTW, it was great talking with you the other day (despite your bloody
cell phone flaking out half a dozen times.) I look forward to the trip
down there in July to fill up my pickup bed. I don't DARE bring a
trailer as I'm sure I'd fill it AND the bed. Ayup, maybe I'm glad I
don't own a knuckle boom truck. g

G It was my pleasure also. Next time we talk, Ill try to not be in
a moving vehicle traveling through the oil fields in all the dead
spots.

It's a deal!


I got all the machines moved. It took me 2 full days of moving not
only my stuff, but helping the crew move all the race cars, welding
trucks, engines, several hundred transmissions and so forth.

Not bad for a fellow who the day before had been in bed for 5
days..nearly unable to move.

And you should have been in bed still. Walking pneumonia can KILL you,
ya know. Hey, after all that, wouldn't they let you leave your stuff
there?


Course..I can barely move today..hurt from head to toe...even my
fingers hurt to type. Shrug...a man has to do what a man has to do.

No doubt.


Sisu.

? (googling, googling, googling, got it from
http://www.sisu.com/en/about

"The Meaning of SISU

As residents of one of the northern most countries in the world, the
people of Finland have learned to survive and prosper by developing
extraordinary inner strength, courage, stamina and stubborn
determination. This wellspring of core qualities that allows Finns to
meet the challenges of an often rough environment is called sisu. Our
company is named SISU because our products are designed to bring out
the ‘sisu’ in all those who take assertive, determined control of
their health by taking our products. We package sisu in every bottle."


Gunner, going back to bed shortly.

Bueno, bwana. Get well soon.



--

People will occasionally stumble over the truth, but
most of the time they'll pick themselves up and carry on.
--anon

On Mon, 21 Mar 2005 07:10:44 GMT, Gunner
wrote:


It runs 110vts, so you can run it from a 15 amp cicuit breaker in your
garage,

It wants 20 amps from 115V at full load. I'll second the notion
that these are very nice little boxes. They do a much better job than
the imports. I've used both.

Hint with these machines: if it will be unused for a while, take the
wire out, put it in a ziplock bag and backfill the bag with argon mix
or CO2, whatever you're using. Welding gas is dry. My SP can be a
fussy feeder. It works fine with clean wire, but even a slight film
of rust on the wire can make it feed erratically. That drove me
nuts until I figured it out. No problem since I started dry-storing
the wire.

Don't do it Please, Don't buy a welder from Wally World. Trust me you'll
find that you like it. You'll want to go out and weld everything in sight.
But seriously, I would go out and but a MIG welder, you can try the one at
SEARS, which is what I did. I bought the gas no gas for around 400.00. Don't
want to spend that much, you say. No problems, I am sure that others here
also mentioned that Harbor Freight has them as well. Although I don't know
the longevity of the HF models, they are cheap enough however to find out
whether you like it. Think about the types of metal you may weld, as well as
what you will be welding on.

Searcher1

I have seen those welders also...they are CH boxes and the WallyWorld
discounts aren't any thing to brag about.

FYI...Walmart is seldomly the lowest price on anything if you do some
looking. In regards to welders, the money you spend on the ones they
are trying to clearance would be much better spent by pursuing some of
the suggestions that the other posters are offering.

Good Luck, welding can be really, really fun.

TMT

I use a Lincoln 135T, and I love it. You generally don't need the
infinitely variable voltage, and one advantage of the step switch--you can
go back to the same settings every time without fiddling.

wrote in message
ups.com...
Hey guys,
Since i was a little kid i been fascinated by the art of welding.
I been thinking of learning how to weld. Today i went to walmart
and noticed they had three choices of welders for sale, and arc
($99), a wire feed ($199), mig wire feed (regular $299, on sale $199
now).

I want to learn to weld and the projects i want to do are things
like building go carts, maybe some auto-body work.

Which welder you recommend i buy to start learning to weld?

Thanks!


http://tinyurl.com/5x49l

--

SVL