I have noticed that used welders are cheap and easy to find . I basicaly know nothing about them or what kind of welder is ok for my application . The main use would be to weld tubular steel for bumpers etc and to weld that to the frame.my g/f might use it for metal sulpture too

there is a lincoln arc welder with mask and some accessories used for like 50 dollars would that be sufficent? mig welders are more but seems it could be possible to find a used one in my price range . i just don't even know where to start . my b-day is next week so i'll be getting some money to blow . i can spend up to 300 give or take a little.

I wish used tubeing benders where easy to find!

 

Arc sucks....

If you lived closer i would sell you my mig Lincoln.... I wish someone close would buy it, i need some cash.....

 

yeah i was pretty sure arc welding sucks

 

how about this... says it comes with everything u need to start welding except the gas .

http://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-HANDY-MI...QQcmdZViewItem

 

Stick welding isnt that bad you just have to know how to work it, as for a MIG welder I have a cheap lincon knock off from lowes hardware that does a good job, its a flux core welder so theres no gas, and i paid around 250 for it.

 

Flux sux LOL


But seriously, welding with gas is a little easier and you get better results. If anything get a dual welder that can accept gas an flux wire.

 

flux core is just fine, stronger then mig of the same size and is the better for outdoor welding, then mig.

 

been reading on wikipedia and i guess since nearly all my welding will be done outside i definently need a unit that does flux wire .

 

how many amps should i be looking for?

it says 175 amps can do 5/16th plate . I plan to attach the rockslider tubeing to like a 3x3 half inch plate. the cheap ones that are like 100 amps say they only can weld 1/8"

 

i think he is talking about MIG... flux core MIG wire...that's what i've got up for sale right now....

gas MIG is so much better!

 

Correct-a-mundo

 

Gas mig may look nicer, but flux core has better penetration.

 

How thick of metal are we talking about, a proper sized welder will take care of any concern with penetration depth.

 

yeah , flux core mig ... most machines do both. .... I realize mig with gas is a little better but my truck doesn't fit in my garage . I would have to have plastic windbreaks and stuff . maybe for some small project stuff i would use the gas mig but most the welding will be in the driveway so fluxcore is a good choice .

I know 100 amps will be enough penetration for 2 pieces of tubeing but how about connecting the tubeing to either a 1/2" steel plate or directly to the frame ...

 

spend the money and get a 220v machine.

 

I dont have a 220 outlet and i just don't have that kind of money . i barely pay my bills

 

they you will defidently want a machine that uses flux core. since you wont have the power of the 220 machine you will need the penetration of flux core with a 110v. maybe get some Mapp gas also for some preheating of thicker steel.

 

i do have a map torch ,like you use for plumbing... is that what u mean? i did read something about pre heating.

 

with smaller welders they dont create enough heat to properly weld thicker steel, so pre heating is need to get proper penetration

 

if you were closer im trying to sell mine

 

I have a mig and a stick... I normally tend to use the stick if I'm going to weld thicker steel. But the mig just looks so much nicer.

 

i've decided to get a stick welder because of the price . I found a used miller 225amp for 50 dollars. I said if he can show me a demonstration that it works i would get it .

Is there anything in particular i should inspect to make sure its in good working condition?

 

you mean 225v? most houses run on 30-40amps

 

its 220 volt 50 amp power input i think. the add is listed *** 225A .i assume it means amps .. all the welders i see have a power rating greater than 50 amps . they are 80-200 amps or something like that.

120 volt has a max amp output of about 130amps. i haven't looked at enough 220 yet to know what its max is .

 

it sounds like a miller thunder bolt model. i got one its a 1984 model

225A is th max output for welding, i needs 220V 50A INput to run the machine at full rated output. the less output amps used i.e. lower heat, the lower the welder draws on the input side.

suggestion:

pratice with the stick welder on some 6013 1/8" electrodes. they are soooo easy to run at around 100Amps output on the machine. do some pratice and you know you are doing it right when any electrodes your useing the slag pops off by its self.

a small mid "can" weld steel thats thicker than its max rating. its where preheat and metal prep comes into play. dont but 2 peices of 1/2" plate togeather and weld it it is not enough wled there to hold it. rather you grind a bevel on a peice and then fill up the bevel thrus creating a full penetration weld rather than very little on steel butted up togeather.

http://www.mentordynamics.com/images/Weld-Joints.gif

just my .02 non sense