trapper

See pics..
I have a little weld-pak 100.. (not big enough)
I bought a 225 AC-225 Arc/stick.. (too sloppy)

I need a big welder for working on trucks and equipment
- (snow plows, bobcat attachments, trailer hitches etc...)
- I have been welding frame strengthening on my XJ & burn through when welding thick steel to thin steel

Eventually build an exoskeleton.. know I'll need:
- gas (please educate me)
- something wire fed
- a welder with an ongoing duty-cycle (please educate me)
- a welder that I will not have to replace for a long LONG time (get what you payed for)
- How should I modify my electric? (200amp svc. drop & plenty of panel room) - Tube bender posts/research for another day..

Welding environment:
- inside
- exhaust fans
- plenty of power
- I will modify my plug and panel if I need (what size breaker and plug??)
*Obviously I want to do this right the first time.. and I'm sure other guys (gals), on here want this information too..

I've read a lot.. and not really new to welding so I know the basics.
practice - practice - practice
**getting to the point of needing to weld things that are CRITICAL**

Pics of:
1) stick welder
2) little welder
3) plug type I need to match
4) snow plows (one on left to be modified into a bobcat attachment)
5) NOT MINE: a guy I know making the bobcat attachment I will make

Please advise..

CheapCherokee

not sure on exact models, but i would recommend a Miller MIG welder that would be appropriate to your needs. my dad sells welders and Miller seems to have the best costumer service and really great products. as far as gas goes most people run 75/25 CO2/Argon mix, and my dad and i use this combo as well with great results.

sandaddik2

I just run strait argon and heres what it looks like, of course theres alot more to making a good weld besides what gas you use

retreaded jeeper

resently have thebor freight one that he refers to and am satisfied. I have owned several welders hobart is probably the best any welder is about as good as your fab skills and weld skills. I do strongly recomend the bigger the better foor bumpers and the like

ZachsXJ

I'll say this from experience: Can you weld 1/4 with a little Weld-Pak 100? Yupp, but barely, and you'll be bouncing off the duty cycle so often it'll drive you nuts. I'd recommend getting a machine that will weld way beyond the thickness of anything you expect to weld in the next 12 months.

A Hobart Handler maxes out at 1/4". If you plan on building bumpers/brush bars/etc I'd recommend getting a machine capable of 3/8ths at the minimum. So then you can weld 1/4" at a 60+% duty cycle. Or do what I did, find the right PowerMig 255 at the right price on craigslist and get a machine that is capable of welding 1/2" in a single pass. Did I mention is a 6 year old machine and outwelds anything else I've played with? Pay for quality, you won't regret it.

eking81

i have a lincoln power pack 100
this is fine for doing thin gauge sheet metal work but i also have mine set up to run a gas mix which i think works alot better i hate flux core
this will not be heavy enough to do more then 3/16 with good penetration

i also have an old craftsman arc welder that i can weld up to 1" thick material with but arc welding takes practice to lay down nice beads with

if your planing on doing alot of bumpers, frame work, exoskeletons and what not i suguest saving bit of money and getting your self the lincoln power mig 216
run an argon/co2 mix of 92/8
your local gas company should know the mix and the welder will come with the gauge to run this mix properly
also ask for a wire either .035 or .045 which ever you set your machine up for that is ER70S-6 rated

with this machine and wire/gas mix youll be able to weld anything up to 3/8" thick and possibley 1/2" thick (not in a single pass) with professional welds that could be certified if you so wanted

this is not a big welder its a decent welder for the do it yourselfer who spends alot of time under the welding hood
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat....aspx?p=103906
itll set your back around $1600.00 i think

if your sure you want to weld 1/2 thick material then i suguest going with the lincoln power mig 255XT same wire/gas combo

itll set you back around $2400.00 i think
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Cat...t.aspx?p=62126

miller hobart and esab all have there equilents out there none of which ive liked due to feeder problems and what have ya however i spend alot of time under my hood lol
hope this helps

Swamp Donkey

Ive got a Hobart 187 which is 220 Volt, that i am very pleased with, Hobart has Miller written all over it. Ive ran probably 15, 10lb spools of wire through mine and never once had any problems with it. Welded up to 1/2 with it also. A friend of mine has a Hobart 140 which is 110 Volt, and he does everything from solid axle swaps under his Yota's to chassis under buggies. A small welder will do the work with more prep and time spent, though i like my 220. For the price, I highly suggest the Hobart 187, you cant beat em'. I bought mine from Northern Tool.

retreaded jeeper

I've had good luck with y 1 dollar haber freight welder. I had or used lincoln,hobart, an off name stick. I've gas welded bush gard.bigger isalways better,including the weld,slow&patience is the only thing close to bigger/ instructions!?practice,parctice,paractice,....

98xjcherokee

i have a thermal arc 110 welder and to me it has a smoother unwind with less skipping then our millermatic at work i bought the whole setup with 75/25 argon co2 mix tank and welder for 699.99 at my local welding supply

Gee oh Dee

I have to laugh at the people who say they nuked their Harbor Freight welders in 5 min. First off, you get what you pay for, its not gonna be the most amazing welder you'll ever find. And second, they have a warranty. And for $20 extra, you can have that one year warranty extended to 3.

For ~$90 you can't go wrong with a Harbor Freight welder if you are doing simple, light duty welding. If you are doing structural welds, its not for you.

I have a HF 110, and I love it. I've only had this one for a couple months, before that I had been using my old roommates HF welder, and he's had his for about ten years.

Some people need to consider the fact that anything more powerful than 110/120 requires an outlet and, most likely, an extension cord. And for some, thats not realistic.

For me, 220v is not happening. I'm not pleased about it, as I LOVE to weld, but sometimes you gotta make-it-happen with what you've got available in any way you can.

7urtle

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sirbozin

hobart 187 handler is what iv always used. dont go cheap when buying a welder because when something comes up that needs welded and your welder wont penetrate deep enough youll be dissapointed.

peep

Lincoln works for me, 180C on 220V, Piggybacked off the cloths dryer circuit, the TB can hang my stuff on the line to dry, I've got a Jeep to weld,lol, really though, stick is for real structural, mig is easy to learn, get a good name power supply espcially if you want to build a frame rail. Cheap import equipment is throwing your money away. Can you rent one from an equip rental (same on the bender)? Fluxcore is good if you want to learn and don't have a gas bottle setup. See the thread on weld cart also or reference my photo album. This will be with you for life if you buy a good brand now.

retreaded jeeper

my harbor freight welder is ok but even a hobart is only as good as ytour technec and skill if your bugeted go for it good starting point

Sooner XJ

The HF 90 amp has worked fine for me. I use Lincoln .35 wire and keep extra tips around. I've welded up to 1/4" with no problems. My buddy gave me crap about it so we set up 6 welds each. Me with my HF and him with his Lincoln mig. After testing in a vice and a 15lb sledge, MINE ONE. hahaha. If I burn it up I will take it back and get a NEW one. Thats why they sell the 3 year extended warranty. Oh, and if you watch the 4Wheel mags you can find a coupon for $89. Thats a lot better than $650 for the 110 Lincoln.