Buying my first welder! Advice please

[Romaswake]

Hey guys!
I think it's time I teach my self to weld so I can make a front and rear bumper and hopefully I'll be able to use my new welding skills on other projects! Having no knowledge at all, what kind of welder should I be looking for, and what else do I need to operate one? Also are there any other must haves for metal fabrication? Not really a budget, just trying to get up and running soon! Thanks for all the input in advanced!

[Redneckstone]

good budget way is buying a hobart from tractor supply. internally it is a miller welder. they cheap out on the case and you get a base model gun. for the every so often welder it will do the job perfectly. you would want a mig also.

as far as must haves. Tons of clamps different styles. vice grip clamps. and or magnet holders

[corbinmg]

I have Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder that I bought from Tractor Supply last year. It has already payed for itself in the various home repairs I have done. When looking at welders you need to consider the voltage input. The 140 amp welder was the highest rating I could get that would still plug into 120V wall outlet. The next welder up from Hobart is the 160 amp and it requires a 220V outlet that I don't have and is not easily accesible for me. The 140 amp can weld up to 1/4 inch steel which is as thick as I will ever need to go. The thicker the metal, the higher the amperage rating needed.

Your going to need a welding helmet to protect your eyes and a good pair of leather gloves. A grinder is also a must have for cleaning up welding surfaces.

[crowdpleazer]

Originally Posted by corbinmg

I have Hobart Handler 140 MIG welder that I bought from Tractor Supply last year. It has already payed for itself in the various home repairs I have done. When looking at welders you need to consider the voltage input. The 140 amp welder was the highest rating I could get that would still plug into 120V wall outlet. The next welder up from Hobart is the 160 amp and it requires a 220V outlet that I don't have and is not easily accesible for me. The 140 amp can weld up to 1/4 inch steel which is as thick as I will ever need to go. The thicker the metal, the higher the amperage rating needed.

Your going to need a welding helmet to protect your eyes and a good pair of leather gloves. A grinder is also a must have for cleaning up welding surfaces.

my dad has this welder and i love it. very reliable and powerful for a 120v welder. but i wont hardly weld without argon and solid wire. flux core wire is just messy and i dont like it. if your serious about welding dont even buy flux core. argon isnt too expensive.

[03fx4]

If you get an auto darkening hood make sure it will work with the type and amp range you expect to be using it in. Getting a comfortable hood will help alot in the beginning

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[RoberticusMaximus]

^^^yeah auto darkening hood that is comfy is a must. and then get a descent mig. get all types & sizes of clamps, some chalk, time, practice, and patience. and good gloves. and a good water jug (or a thirty pack)

[corbinmg]

Originally Posted by crowdpleazer

flux core wire is just messy and i dont like it. if your serious about welding dont even buy flux core. argon isnt too expensive.

I 127% agree. My welder came with a sample of flux cored wire and it blows. There is so much splatter and the welds are brown...... Argon and solid wire is no doubt the way to go. The only application i would use flux cored for is if you are welding in windy outdoor conditions.

[fstcarkid]

dont go cheap. a good welder is hands down worth every penny. and if i were you, i wouldnt be going for a little 120 volt welder. to me, they are kinda wimpy. find one that you can run .035 wire on and uses a 220V outlet. they are worth it. if your going to be doing any outside welding, you might look into getting an inverter that you can run stick and mig on. use c25 gas, i think that runs the best. and if you are having any trouble or you need suggestions. just ask us. or go to www.weldingtipsandtricks.com < that guy helped me out when i was in vo tech trying to spool gun weld on aluminum. good luck!

[aulee42]

ive been researching welders for about a month now and i narrowed it down to a Hobart handler 190. I can get it for 849 shipped and it also comes with a spool gun. I find my self having to do a bunch of repairs to my bowfishing boats and the ability to weld aluminum effectively. and metal is what led me to the 190

[crowdpleazer]

to weld aluminum dont you need special wire and pure argon? (as opposed to the 3 part argon/co2/? for steel)

[corbinmg]

I have never done it but my understanding is you definately need aluminum wire and 100% argon shielding gas. And then you may need a spool gun which is basically a gun that mounts the spool of wire right at the gun rather than in the machine. Aluminum wire is too soft to push through all that cable.

[fstcarkid]

yes, you need a spool gun and argon gas for aluminum. for welding steel, you use c25 gas.