looking for a welder
#1
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looking for a welder
120v or 240v, single phase. Recommend me some. Preferably <$400. Looking to start making bumpers, etc.
A stick welder is probably fine right? I'll be teaching myself how to do this. :P
A stick welder is probably fine right? I'll be teaching myself how to do this. :P
Last edited by mr white; 11-11-2011 at 06:04 PM.
#2
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Get the biggest welder you can afford, you pay for what you get when it comes to welders, if I was you I would save my money tell i could get a miller 252,251 but if you just looking to learn how to weld and make yourself some bumpers you could go with someting smaller and less money. The same when it comes to plasma's and saws just my thoughts tho.
#3
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Get the biggest welder you can afford, you pay for what you get when it comes to welders, if I was you I would save my money tell i could get a miller 252,251 but if you just looking to learn how to weld and make yourself some bumpers you could go with someting smaller and less money. The same when it comes to plasma's and saws just my thoughts tho.
#4
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Hobart welders appear to be in my price range. With sticks can I get a nice bead going? I don't want these to look like poo.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/
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Lincoln
I am an amatuer as well. I know how but I dont own one. Right Lincoln has big deals that benefit us all. I believe their 180C model does both 120 and 240V just with a flip of a switch. It has a $75 rebate or an autodarkening helmet.
Go to Lincoln welders and check it out!
Go to Lincoln welders and check it out!
#6
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Hobart welders appear to be in my price range. With sticks can I get a nice bead going? I don't want these to look like poo.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/
Also get the welder with the best duty cycle so it will keep up with the project at hand. The higher the percent number the better.
Last edited by Flowpro; 11-11-2011 at 07:57 PM. Reason: Old age creeping in.
#7
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It's a little harder to stick weld but the beads will look good with some practice. We use monster 500 amp Miller stick welders (run at about 125 amps max for our purposes) at work outside and have great results All of the wire welders you mentioned from Hobart should do the trick as well unless you intend to weld with material thicker than 3/16th, then you would need the Handler 140 or better.
Also get the welder with the best duty cycle so it will keep up with the project at hand. The higher the percent number the better.
Also get the welder with the best duty cycle so it will keep up with the project at hand. The higher the percent number the better.
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#8
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I am an amatuer as well. I know how but I dont own one. Right Lincoln has big deals that benefit us all. I believe their 180C model does both 120 and 240V just with a flip of a switch. It has a $75 rebate or an autodarkening helmet.
Go to Lincoln welders and check it out!
Go to Lincoln welders and check it out!
If I get a wire feed I'll go with the hobart. Do I need gas for these hobarts or is that just tig?
#9
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Duty cycle is a way for manufacturers to define the number of minutes, within a 10 minute period, during which a given welder can produce a particular welding current.
For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes (30% use/70% rest) of continuous welding.
A 100% duty cycle needs no "rest" period and can be used continuously.
Of course the higher the duty cycle the more the welder will cost.
For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes (30% use/70% rest) of continuous welding.
A 100% duty cycle needs no "rest" period and can be used continuously.
Of course the higher the duty cycle the more the welder will cost.
#10
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At home I have a Lincoln Electric weld-pac 100 set up for flux core wire but is able to run gas with a regulator. The welds are ok but gas is the way to go. I should someday get around to setting mine up for gas.
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get a millermatic 180 220 machine and never look back. It will weld anything you want. I've welded anything from thin sheetmetal to 1/4 plate to roll cages in nhra legal cars.
#12
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Duty cycle is a way for manufacturers to define the number of minutes, within a 10 minute period, during which a given welder can produce a particular welding current.
For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes (30% use/70% rest) of continuous welding.
A 100% duty cycle needs no "rest" period and can be used continuously.
Of course the higher the duty cycle the more the welder will cost.
For example, a 150 amp. welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes (30% use/70% rest) of continuous welding.
A 100% duty cycle needs no "rest" period and can be used continuously.
Of course the higher the duty cycle the more the welder will cost.
#13
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They will pull more amperage from your circuit breakers and will trip them. Perhaps some come with built in shut offs....not sure on that.
At work they must be 100% duty cycles and at home maybe 30%. At home mine will trip the breakers if I have it turned all the way up welding 1/4" steel in under 20 seconds. With the welder turned down (welding thinner material) it is much happier.
At work they must be 100% duty cycles and at home maybe 30%. At home mine will trip the breakers if I have it turned all the way up welding 1/4" steel in under 20 seconds. With the welder turned down (welding thinner material) it is much happier.
#14
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They will pull more amperage from your circuit breakers and will trip them. Perhaps some come with built in shut offs....not sure on that.
At work they must be 100% duty cycles and at home maybe 30%. At home mine will trip the breakers if I have it turned all the way up welding 1/4" steel in under 20 seconds. With the welder turned down (welding thinner material) it is much happier.
At work they must be 100% duty cycles and at home maybe 30%. At home mine will trip the breakers if I have it turned all the way up welding 1/4" steel in under 20 seconds. With the welder turned down (welding thinner material) it is much happier.
Last edited by mr white; 11-11-2011 at 08:24 PM.
#15
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What do you have? The hobart wire feeds have a 20% duty cycle. Looks like the main difference between the prices is the duty cycle. I want something I can plug in at my house. The circuit breaker is next to the garage so that should be a big deal, but if it plugged into a standard outlet that would be awesome because I am lazy. :P