Need some welder input

[TheTopher]

So I'm thinking of buying myself a welder for Christmas.


I'm pretty much set on this model

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500505-Handler-115-Volt-Single-Phase/dp/B0002PS7TE/?tag=959media-20

The reviews say it can do up to 1/4th inch, can run off a standard 115v outlet (I still live with my mother so running new wires for 230v is a no-no)

But my major question is, what about accessories? Having never welded before I'm unaware of all the things I need, or don't need. Helmet, gloves, clamps, anything else? Cleaning goup? I see a lot of guys insisting on full body welding leathers and other people that do it bare handed in a wife beater, which do you prefer?


What about shielding gas? What do you guys prefer?

I was looking at this http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770626-20-Ounce-Fixed-Flow-Regulator/dp/B002VECKSI/?tag=959media-20

Just to get me started...is it just a waste of time? Is flux core fine for starting out?

The devil's in the details and unfortunately I don't know enough about welding to know what the details are.

So have at it and inform me, recommend anything else you think I'll need to get started. If possible please provide a link with the recommendation



Thanks!

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

Nice welder,even comes with the cart.
Look around for a welding supply store for your gas,you need 75/25 mix they will know what your asking for.
You will have to rent the cylinder and just bring it back to be filled when empty,around $125 here,I believe $35 to refill.You will run through gas like crazy trying to get the hang of it and those small tanks will go quick.
A good pair of gloves is a must as well as a hood.Auto dimming hoods are well worth the cheese and will help you greatly just starting out.
A good heavy denim shirt will be fine to get you started but remember.....cotton will catch fire so be careful.I wish I had a dollar for every wrangler shirt I have torched...lol!

Thats a great little welder I wish I had one!

 

[gwaii]

Nice welder,even comes with the cart.
Look around for a welding supply store for your gas,you need 75/25 mix they will know what your asking for.
You will have to rent the cylinder and just bring it back to be filled when empty,around $125 here,I believe $35 to refill.You will run through gas like crazy trying to get the hang of it and those small tanks will go quick.
A good pair of gloves is a must as well as a hood.Auto dimming hoods are well worth the cheese and will help you greatly just starting out.
A good heavy denim shirt will be fine to get you started but remember.....cotton will catch fire so be careful.I wish I had a dollar for every wrangler shirt I have torched...lol!

Thats a great little welder I wish I had one!

what he said.....but let me add that 1/4'' is pushing it for any 120v welder.you can stick it together,but there just isn't enough power to burn it in.having said that,i use my little welder for about 75% of what i do....it's just more convenient.check the duty cycle,that's always a limiting factor on mine....it welds good for the first little bit on full power,then starts spitting and sputtering till it cools down again.
also,never use an extension cord unless it's a really big one,and make sure that whatever circiut you have it plugged into has nothing else running on it.

personally,i say skip the flux core and blow the budget on some gas.you'll be way happier.

that's an excellent starter welder to get going with,and even when you are ready to step up you'll still have a lot of use for this one so it's not wasted money.

 

[TheTopher]

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770074-Welding-Accessory-Nozzle/dp/B0017Z5J1W/?tag=959media-20


is this stuff worth it?

 

[TheTopher]

personally,i say skip the flux core and blow the budget on some gas.you'll be way happier.

I'm already blowing the budget on the welder.

 

[rangerboy101]

This is the welder I'm getting for Christmas. Same power and whatnot as the one you're looking at but it's a good bit cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110618497077&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

 

[COPPERHEAD85]

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770074-Welding-Accessory-Nozzle/dp/B0017Z5J1W/?tag=959media-20


is this stuff worth it?

Its anti splatter,like I said check out your local welding supply.Go in and talk to the counter guys,you deal with poeple everyday so I have faith you can pick from the bullshit guys to the guy that will truly help you.

 

[gwaii]

http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770074-Welding-Accessory-Nozzle/dp/B0017Z5J1W/?tag=959media-20


is this stuff worth it?

i never use it.....i find it makes a mess more than anything.

 

[gwaii]

This is the welder I'm getting for Christmas. Same power and whatnot as the one you're looking at but it's a good bit cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110618497077&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

that looks like a pretty good deal.

 

[RangerSVT]

Where you are welding, is it close to the laundry room?? If it is, you can always use the dryer outlet when the parents are not doing the laundry, you will just have to get a dryer receptacle to put on the welder, but you would then have 220v...
SVT

 

[jrs86]

get a lincoln!! little bit more money alot better quality

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

This is the welder I'm getting for Christmas. Same power and whatnot as the one you're looking at but it's a good bit cheaper.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=110618497077&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT

That's a killer deal! With the ~$200.00 you save you can buy a gas cylinder. I bought rather than rent or lease as I don't do enough welding. If you buy, make sure that the gas company you deal with will fill your tank. Also keep in mind that the flux core works better
1] outside in the wind
2] gives better penetration
3] gives a better weld on dirty metal
4] can get into tighter areas
BUT
1] is dirtier - more splatter = more clean up
2] more expensive for the same length of bead IMO

I'd buy a spray on anti splatter rather than gel. Also get the instant on welding helmet, it makes it so much easier to learn. If you can, take a night school course and tell the teacher what your trying to learn to weld, that way you can concentrate on learning what's most important to you.
Check in the tech pages, there is always something to learn there.
Also OFN is a good forum for fabrication, this is their learning page;
http://www.offroadfabnet.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=142
Good luck,

Richard

 

[superds]

I don't have time to give my full opinion right now, but I have a Hobart Handler 140 like that. I shopped around a bit and looked at a few different welders such as Miller, Lincoln, etc. This one seemed like it was a pretty good value. I bought it and have been happy with it, even though I don't use it very much compared to other people on here; I've mostly made a few brackets and did some body repair with it so far but it'll get a lot more use in the future for sure.

BTW, I got a gas cylinder right away with mine instead of just using it to flux core weld, but flux core looks like it's preferred for deep penetration welds, such as welding 1/4" steel.

 

[Iron Ranger]

I've had mine for 5 years without one hiccup. It's been the best running, 110V welder I have ever used. I have welded everything from automotive sheet metal to 5/16" steel.

Here's a run-down of what you'll need:

1. Welding helmet(either a solid shade or a high quality autodarkening one. If you skimp on the autodarkening, you will regret it and I promise this 110%)

2. Welding gloves. I got 2 pairs, one is the really thick leather and the other is the really thin TIG welding gloves. That way, the hand you use to hold the neck of the welder will block and withstand the heat with the thick glove, while using the thin one for the trigger hand for optimum handling and feeling.

3. Leather welding jacket. Or if you're doing a short quick job, you can get those arm sleeves that just protect your arms while wearing a T-shirt. But for full long welds, use a welding leather jacket.

4. Welpers. These are specialized pliers that's made just for the welder.

5. Skull welding cap. I don't use this, but if you don't want sparks constantly hitting your scalp and smelling like burnt hair, get a skull cap. Very cheap.

6. Leather boots. Doesn't have to be super heavy duty or anything, but trust me, tennis shoes DO NOT work very well when welding. Lots of owies.

Also, for shielding gas, I'd use the Stargon blend (75% Argon, 25% CO2 I believe). It works great for sheet metal and up to 3/16" plate. Anything over that, I switch to flux core, since flux core is designed for maximum penetration(reverse polarity. Ground is +, gun is -).

I can(as well as most of the other members here) answer any questions about the Hobart 140 and it's capabilities.

 

[TheTopher]

Thanks guy! Great info so far! I'm gonna have to sit down and take a look at that learning page after work today.