looking to buy a welder

[bimmer325es]

I found this welder looks pretty nice what do you think
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&productId=100670934&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&MERCH=REC-_-search-1-_-NA-_-100670934-_-N#BVRRWidgetID

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Those are ok for leetle stuff. I just got a Miller 210 with a spool gun thats 115/230 vac. Got it primarily for aluminum and its smokin badass. Just make sure your breaker and wiring are ok to handle it and dont use cheap ass extenstion cords or your line loss will suck. You did notice the spool gun for that is optional right.

 

[superds]

I don't know if you have a Mill's Fleet Farm in your area, but they have a Hobart Handler 140 on sale right now for $487.99 that includes a cart, should be pretty comparable to the one you posted.

 

[bimmer325es]

never heard of mills fleet, i have used various welders still a noob about it, just trying to buy a decent welder for 550 or less i did notice the spool gun was optional but glad that it was an option. upgrade later

 

[kcm1582]

Well how often do you plan to use it and what do you plan to use it on? chances are that you will be better off with a Hobart or Miller unit over the Lincoln.

 

[superds]

never heard of mills fleet, i have used various welders still a noob about it, just trying to buy a decent welder for 550 or less i did notice the spool gun was optional but glad that it was an option. upgrade later

Fleet Farm is kinda an upper Midwest thing: http://www.fleetfarm.com/index.jsp

 

[LIMA BEAN]

FYI the spool gun for mine was $200.oo Alaska bucks. Plus i bought a dedicated argon/ Co2 tank for it.

 

[bimmer325es]

i do quite abit of automotive repairs and im gonna be doing motor swap in my bmw, learn how to make a sweet intake manifold instead of buying one for 650 bucks, body repair, exhaust etc..

 

[LIMA BEAN]

i do quite abit of automotive repairs and im gonna be doing motor swap in my bmw, learn how to make a sweet intake manifold instead of buying one for 650 bucks, body repair, exhaust etc..

If your going to do an intake made from Aluminum you will have to have the spool gun, the aluminum wire is too soft to push it has to be pulled... in my world. Give us a rundown of your plan.

 

[gwaii]

custom aluminum intakes you'll want to use tig.even the best wire feed is a bit crude for that type of work.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

custom aluminum intakes you'll want to use tig.even the best wire feed is a bit crude for that type of work.

True but it can be done with solid and attractive welds. I think a TIG is way out of the ballpark on price for him and it seems he is gunning for DIY. I am fortunate that I have great equipment but even more so that I have a friend that is an airframe builder so I can trade beer for his supreme Tig welding abilities.

 

[gwaii]

i was thinking about the price aspect,and you are right....put in the same position i would gladly make an intake using a spool gun if that was all i had.we all can wish for the best stuff,but often have to make do with what we have available.

 

[88_Eddie]

screw that, for ~$100 more you can get a lincoln at lowes that'll do 1/2" plate

 

[LIMA BEAN]

i was thinking about the price aspect,and you are right....put in the same position i would gladly make an intake using a spool gun if that was all i had.we all can wish for the best stuff,but often have to make do with what we have available.

That is so true Gwaii. I remember when coat hangers were made from good stuff and I could Oxy/Acy exhaust that looked like a robot did it. But hey thats what we had bro. For short weldaments like that with a spool on thinner stuff its over as fast as it happens so for me my brain has to be in the future.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

screw that, for ~$100 more you can get a lincoln at lowes that'll do 1/2" plate

Cool so whats it going to DO to that 1/2 " plate?