Cheap welding gear for learning.

[EricNobody]

Any suggestions? I'd like to learn, which requires having gear. I understand the different types of welders, but where does one really just start? Also, any recommendations on good units I could find used for less than 300?



Thanks!





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[ranger-sgroi]

Best thing to look into is mig welding. If your worried about money go flux core. You don't need gas.

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[Road Angels]

$ 300 will only buy a harbor freight unit,, 140 mig 115vac, flux welding sucks but a bottle of 75/25% gas will cost more than you have, you will need gloves and a good auto dark welding hood, if you can buy the unit that has the gas gauge so later you can add gas if you want, would be a plus some times on craigslist you can find a used lincoln for around what you have to spend, a 220 volt welder is the best way to go but its more money and you need to tap a 220 source a 140 will weld 3/16 no problem if its a good unit

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I suggest checking out a night school course. There you can check see the different styles of welding and see what's involved. Once you have a little knowledge then start looking at used units. I use a cheap auto-darkening helmet I picked up for $50.00, it will save a lot of frustration when beginning to weld.

Richard

 

[EricNobody]

Well at this point I have no 220 access, and I was planning on picking up something used





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[alwaysFlOoReD]

I still own a lincoln weldpac 100 110Volt that I got years ago. It's a great learning rig that will come in handy a lot. I've welded up to 1/4" with pre-heat and multiple passes, tho I wouldn't suggest that normally. It's great for welding dirty metal and in windy conditions ie; exhaust. It's also gas capable.
For heavier duty welding a stick welder like the "tombstone" can be bought used for cheap.
Don't forget oxy-acetylene as you HAVE to learn puddle control in order to get a good weld, and puddle control is the basis of all good welding. And it comes in great for cutting metal and breaking loose stuck bolts.
Now that I think of it, I would say the oxy-acet would be best for a first welder as you will learn the proper techniques with it. And you can do any welding that any of the other types of welders will do, albeit slower.
Some links to check out;
http://www.weldreality.com/
http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/

Richard

 

[Road Angels]

Always floored has a good point about gas welding if you can gas weld all the others are easy, but used there still about $500 for a medium duty set. and the light duty sets are only good for light weight stuff like art work and such,

 

[EricNobody]

Cool, I'm willing to go a bit above my original number, just had to put some figure on budget. So oxy would be where to start? I'm good at soldering, so I think I'll get the hang of it, I've got good hand control.





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[alwaysFlOoReD]

Other than learning to weld, what is it that you picture yourself doing with a welder?

Richard

 

[EricNobody]

Body work, suspension fab, pretty much everything





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[swynx]

Amazon had cheap mig sets. Saw a 110 mig with all the gear you need for 100$ had good reviews