Welder Opinions

[sergechronos]

Well, for filling in all the holes and shit in the bay, going to be grinding a lot anyhow.

But seems common consensus then is that the Eastwood stuff is fine, otherwise stick to name brand (Miller, Hobart, Lincoln.). Flux core works but needs grinding, MIG is nice but has a higher start up cost. No issues with a MIG and Flux capable welder. Use quality wire, and practice. Anything I'm missing?

[anyonebutme]

I think that covered it, really. I was shopping for a TIG machine myself until I sat down and actually thought about what I do with welders, and it didn't make sense to drop that much coin on something I'd rather outsource anyways to someone who can actually weld. I'd use a TIG maybe once a year if that, and I'm always welding some mad scientist project. So for now I'm happy paying a pro welder to finish off what I tack together for pretty TIG work.

[familyMAN]

Bryan, you are welcome to borrow my HF flux core any time you like. I'd recommend different wire. Still has the original HF wire from ~8 years ago when I bought it.

[MDoe8]

You can make good looking welds with fluxcore. Obviously not as pretty as MIG but they can look decent. Here is an example of a recent one I did. No grinding or chipping, just welded it up and wire brushed it.

Another +1 for NOT using off brand fluxcore wire. I had zero success with that. Even my HF fluxcore welder ran 100x better with NR211

[familyMAN]

^hell of a lot better than any of my flux core welds! Maybe I need to pick up some new wire and have a go on my rear motor mount. Planning on using the TIG but it's mild steel so flux core will be fine.

[sergechronos]

Eric I will say that's a common thing I've been reading and hearing, that swapping out the HF flux for Lincoln makes noticeable improvements.

[Mikes2nd]

I picked up a Lincoln Powermig dual 180 for 600$ new.

Great welder that can 110 or 220... I keep it on 220 though. I kind of want a tig though. I saw eastwood has a tig/mig combo welder.

I would maybe go eastwood, they are not horrible from what it seems.

http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Electr...ackage+k3018+2

Lincoln Electric PowerMIG 180 Dual Review

[sergechronos]

Nothing good has come up local, however I decided to roll with a flux core for now as Northern Tool has their 125A flux core on sale for $99. There's a coupon code for $20 off of $100. So I got that and a pair of welded gloves, shipped to the store for $85.

There's also a $10 off $50 code so I'm getting a variable shade helmet and a 1lb roll of wire. Not sure if Lincoln or Hobart, or in a .030 or .035 size yet, gotta figure it out. Also going to order some nozzle gel and a welding blanket or two.

It'll be enough to get my foot in the door and do this project for now. The helmet, gloves and blanket I should be able to use if I step up to a MIG or TIG later.

[MDoe8]

Does it have an "infinite" adjustable heat range? If it's just a high/low for the power setting it gets pretty difficult.

[sergechronos]

Just a high low power with adjustable wire feed speeds. Not ideal, but since most of what I need to do is just tack/spot weld areas (2g bucket, 3k rear swap, couple holes from engine bay delete), I should be able to manage. Especially in light of what I have been quoted for a mobile welder to come over and do it. If it's not up to par for anything more serious than that, I'll likely sell the welder itself. Can probably get nearly what I paid for it and not be out much. What would be nice is for some of my other parts and products to start selling so that I could spring for a nicer MIG/Flux capable set up, but this should at least let me do the minimums of what I need to move forwards with the process. Coating the engine bay has been on hold for a while waiting for a good used welder to pop up so that I can finish it.