WTB: Welder
 

Looking to begin my welding journey. I am looking for a good tig welder to begin welding on. I've heard tig produced good welds for automotive stuff.
Looked at this one: http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-66787.html
Let me know what you have.
Mark

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Welder is one of those things you don't want to go really cheap with. What type of stuff are you wanting to weld? MIG has a much better learning curve and is faster, but won't weld aluminum for crap on the cheaper ones. TIG to get a decent one you are looking at more money and it is harder to learn.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

If you buy a welder buy a wire feed weld that uses argon gas.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Yea i'm just seeing what's out there. I don't want to go cheap but I don't need a thousand dollar unit to start out with. I'm going to be starting school and will be taking a welding class. I want to be able to do some basic things for now (make brackets, fill holes, make catch cans, side project bar stool racer, ex.) I will eventually want to be able to do aluminum and make things like intakes, roll cages and SMIM and exhaust manifolds but that wont be for a while obviously and most likely on a different machine. Basic stuff for now.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Start with the MIG. Hobart Handler 130/135/140 is a great little starter machine. The feed mechanism is a big finicky, but once you get it set up it is a great little welder. Under $500 new:

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...FaXm7AodxFQAQQ

Northern has a generic version too that looks identical and has good reviews for only $350. Might be worth looking in to.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Ok i'll look around. Found some good deals in Wisconsin. Nothing so far in MN

Re: WTB: Welder
 

I learned how to weld on a mig in just a few days. They are super easy to learn. You can get stainless wire for it, even aluminum(i haven't tried welding aluminum yet). I have done many little jobs like fixing my buddies trunk latch, welded a cutout on my downpipe (back when i had a dsm) welded wideband bung in downpipes.. and much more, they are really versatile. but it all comes down to prepping the welds and having the right heat/speed combo to get good penetration(cue the funnies!!) without over heating the areas and causing warpage

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Good to know. That is basically the stuff I want to start out with. The Hobart 140 says it can do aluminum as well. Obviously not huge projects tho. I'm starting to lean towards something like that now.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

The handlers can't do aluminum for crap, you need a tig for that. But realistically, 95% of what you'd do for car and home stuff is mild or stainless. You can't beat it for the money.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

That's what I figured. Thanks.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

I have a handler 140 and with a spool gun its a shit show trying to weld aluminum. Great little welder otherwise for mild and stainless. If you're dead set on something that can weld aluminum good you'll need a tig and anything decent (even used stuff) will run you at least $1000 and that's if you find a killer deal. I usually see used Miller Synchrowaves going for around $1200-1700 on craigslist. That might be your best bet getting into a good tig machine.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Good deal. Look like i'll look into a MIG setup for now. Then I'll purchase a nice TIG after school. Thanks Guys!

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Anyone heard of Tollarc? I think that's the brand. If so are they any good? It's a 240v ARC

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Also looking at this http://eauclaire.craigslist.org/tls/3903427950.html

Re: WTB: Welder
 

From everything I've been told Hobart make solid units. I'd spring for that one.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

^^^what cornfed said. Cant say I've ever heard of tollarc. The handler 140 is debatablely the best 110v welder out there. It's come in handy more than once for me to be able to take it, load it in the truck, and plug in just about anywhere. Unless you're trying to weld 1/2" in a single pass you won't be disappointed with that welder.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

There is also a Hobart 180 in Bloomington for $500

Re: WTB: Welder
 

The handler 140 is only $490 new from Northern Tool with free shipping. I would try to talk him down on it. If he has a tank too, then $400 is a good deal.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Found this guy.http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/hn...976221995.html
What do you guys think? Is the hobart worth the extra $150?

Re: WTB: Welder
 

From what I'm seeing in those pictures that welder is currently only setup for flux core. So to you have a factor in the cost of a regulator and gas lines. Been a while since I've looked but I believe that'll cost around $100 and you'll still have a slightly less powerful machine. Choice is yours, but I'd still push for the handler. Have you tried throwing the guy a lower offer?

Re: WTB: Welder
 

I think i'm pretty set on the handler 140. However i'm just going to throw this out there. http://www.longevity-inc.com/product.../tigweld-160sx I've seen it do some pretty mean beads on aluminum and steel.
Heard these were similar http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Po...00-348-pd.html and the everlast 200 has great reviews

Re: WTB: Welder
 

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/Po...o-3910-pd.html This has even better reviews. And is AC/DC

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Re: WTB: Welder
 

I have no personal experience with Longevity, I do know there is a guy on dsmtuners and dsmtalk (Gamble, Gamble97, or something) that loves their welders and highly recommends them. I have had a chance to try an Everlast (200DX I believe) and I did like it. Solid arc, plenty of pulse and misc other features that go far beyond my experience in TIG. It all come down to how long you can be without a welder when it goes down.
I have no doubts that some of these cheaper Chinese machines can put out good results. But how long will they last? What will break? And when something breaks can you get parts and get back to welding in a sort period of time? I've read of 6 week to 6 month waits on parts on these machines. I really researched them to death. Some have no problems for years, others aren't as lucky. I had pretty much decided on a Everlast Powertig 250EX and last minutes decided against it. I would rather spend the same money on a US made welder that pretty much any part I can get within a week or so.
Also, I don't know what you're skill level is when it come to welding but the learning curve for TIG is far steeper than MIG. Just something to keep in mind

Re: WTB: Welder
 

TIG will have much more of a learning curve than MIG. They also have very different uses. Get the handler 140, then if you decide you need to do aluminum, then get an ac/dc TIG. Those TIGs will need some options if you are going to be doing much aluminum, the aircooled torches get really hot. The few times you would probably do aluminum just have somebody else do it. Most welding will probably be steel.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Found a Handler 140, Just need to find a tank then I think I might go pick it up this weekend. Where do you guys get your tanks filled?

Re: WTB: Welder
 

I get mine filled at toll

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Ok. Should I be getting argon?

Re: WTB: Welder
 

http://www.harborfreight.com/20-cubi...der-92807.html
How about this tank?

Re: WTB: Welder
 

I got me a Hobart Handler 140 for an awesome deal! Going to pick up a tank tomorrow. What gas should I start with. I also want to get some replacement tips and what not.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

If you are doing stainless you want a trimix like Stargon. Just tell them what you are welding and they will hook you up.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Here she is. And my first beads with her.
3/32 steel with .030" flux core wire.
voltage set at 1 and wire speed at 30

Re: WTB: Welder
 

Flux core always looks like crap, it is worthless.

Re: WTB: Welder
 

That's flux core for ya, gunna have all that spatter flung around all over. Get some gas for that bad boy!