Welders???

[UnionMan]

I keep lurking on the fabrications mod threads on here wishing I was able to make some of these things. I have no welding experience what so ever. My father is a woodworker and has a woodshop where I can pretty much build whatever I would like out of wood. But I would like to build some things on my own for my L3800. Seeing some of the brush forks people make and some of the bucket accessories and weld on hooks to their buckets. I would like to do the same and figure I have to start somewhere. Like I said I can operate any woodworking tool with no problem but have Zero welding experience. I understand the concept and different types of welders. Right now at my current home I don’t have a 220v outlet for a welder and I’ve been looking at 110v wire feed welders. Looking at the local tractor supply I noticed the Hobart 140 mig. I can use the welder with flux wire or gas if I choose. It seems to be a decent price and starting point to get into welding so to speak. What are everyone’s opinions? I’m sure some might differ completely but any info would be great. Other brands I should be looking at? Am I on the right track? Next year I hope to be building my new house and plan on having a shop building to have multiple 220outlets to power all my tool/toys. But right now I’m limited to a single phase outlet.

UnionMan

 

[bandaidmd]

"I’m limited to a single phase outlet."
Single phase is all they run to residential areas, I don't know of any home shop that would need 3 phase current unless they have some huge machinery.
I don't have first hand experience with the larger 110 volt migs but my smaller one is supposed to be capable of welding 1/8" in a single pass if thats the case it must be running downhill with a tailwind because im not satisfied with the penetration on that thickness of material and im not going to make multiple passes on 1/8" . If you going to spend the money on a decent welder step up a little more in power and run a outlet for it. Modifying tractor implements you will sometimes be using some thick steels so paying a little extra now will maybe save you from having to re buy a bigger machine later. I have done some research and when i get a larger wire feed it will be at least a 190 amp. As for now I arc weld for most all my welding except very light gauge steels and sheet metal.
Thats just my opinion I'm sure others will also share theirs .

 

[hodge]

The Hobart Handler 140 is a great starter mig welder; you will eventually outgrow it, but it is more capable than a lot of the other 110 V welders out there. I started on a worn out Lincoln and then bought a Hobart, and it has been absolutely flawless. While Lincoln, Miller, ESAB, Thermal Arc, etc. all make great welders, the Hobart line offers a LOT of value. They have a great warranty, sundries are as close as a Tractor Supply or Northern Tool, and their customer support is based here in the US. I would buy another Hobart in a heartbeat.
As far as skills, some good instruction (almost everybody knows somebody who knows how to weld) from a friend or a local tech school or community college, and welding, welding, and some more welding will get you where you want to be- able to put two pieces of metal together and trust it. Once you can run beads in different situations and conditons, you can focus on fabricating. If you have woodworking skills, then you already have the foundation for fabrication- the principles are similar, just the medium is different. Once you can weld and fabricate some, a whole new world opens up in front of you! Just remember- when in doubt, build it stronger.
As far as 110 or 220, you can use a dryer outlet to run a 220 V welder, if you don't have something wired up in your garage or shop. I keep a 50 foot heavy cable to use when I am outside/away from my shop.
If you don't want to buy new, watch craigslist/local papers. Lots of folks start out with 110 V welders, and move up to 220 quickly. Therefore, you will see 110 V units quite often for sale, hardly used.

 

[WFM]

I own several welders , mig and tig and have taught/shown many the basics of welding. I'd recommend a class from a local school , many high schools offer winter adult classes in welding or community collage class. If your going to be self taught its really hard without some direction. As far as machines or wire goes , flux core wire which a lot of beginner welding machines come with is really hard to learn and weld with. A basic mig welder that comes with a gas regulator included is 'alot' easier to use and weld with. If you buy from a local welding supply store, tell them you'll buy it BUT you want a basic lesson from the salesman hands on..just one hour to show you whats what on the machine, setup and instruction. Hope this helps.

 

[alansz400]

I have a Miller 130 that is over 10 years old and I have ran miles of wire though it and it has never gave me a bit of trouble. If it died I would buy another one in a heart beat. You can look at my other posts to see some of the stuff I have done with it in the past few weeks. http://www.orangetractortalks.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12327
I have been making stuff like that every since I bought it. Make sure you get a bottle for gas. Flux core wire is a joke and your welds will look like crap. I never had any training just bought a auto darkening helmet and starting welding. There are tons of welding videos of you tube that will help you learn.

 

[hodge]

Flux core wire isn't a joke; you can't mig weld with solid wire in windy conditions, but you can with flux core. Flux core has to be cleaned up (slag), but it has its place.

 

[alansz400]

Flux core wire isn't a joke; you can't mig weld with solid wire in windy conditions, but you can with flux core. Flux core has to be cleaned up (slag), but it has its place.

I did the flux core wire the first year I had my welder only because I didn't have the $ to buy a bottle. 90% of my welding is outside, I have welded in all kinds of weather and have had very little trouble with the wind. The gas lasts a long time and the solid wire is cheaper.
I have 2 new small spools ( 30 and 35 ) I will give them to you if you pay for the shipping from Ohio.

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I have a miller Mig welder that is over 10 years old too.
I can weld up to 1/2" with mine.
I use solid and gas, flux core, aluminum and gas, stainless and gas, they all have a place and they all work well.
A good welding supplies store will go to the extra effort to make sure you get the right equipment.

It's real easy to add a 220 outlet to a house, home panels are 220 panels.
I would suggest getting a 220 welder from the start, they have more kick and more versatility, like Hodge said you can always get a extension cord and run off the dryer outlet.

Get a good auto darkening helmet, Very good gloves and make sure you were NON flammable clothes, Cotton works well! Jeans and long sleeve cotton shirt, good high topped leather boots.
Welding light rays can blind you or others in seconds so make sure your work areas are protected, and don't forget the 4 legged ones too, I always make sure that no one can just walk in on me welding!

I too do a ton of wood work, and welding and fabricating steel and aluminum offers just as much satisfaction.

 

[WFM]

Flux core does have its place I know. But I'm seen 'good' welders , me included struggle/hate using it. Lol...And I'm a big fan of Miller welders also. I only have one Lincoln , but I like the Millers and think the quality is better in the long run.

 

[UnionMan]

Thank you everyone for your information and input on the topic. I was thinking about the Hobart 140 but now might try and go the Hobart 190 mig route and try and use a cord to my dryer outlet instead of wiring up another 220 outlet for a house I plan on selling in the spring, also another reason why I haven’t wired up a transfer switch for my generator. This brings up another question. If I did go with a 220v mig would I be better off using the extension cord from the dryer or should I just run if off my generator? I have a Generac GP6500.

UnionMan

 

[North Idaho Wolfman]

I'm not real sure how your gen will do running it, some do great some don't!
Just matters on output wattage and loadability (Some will not maintain amprage levels and will surge when you start welding.)

 

[lsmurphy]

Thank you everyone for your information and input on the topic. I was thinking about the Hobart 140 but now might try and go the Hobart 190 mig route and try and use a cord to my dryer outlet instead of wiring up another 220 outlet for a house I plan on selling in the spring, also another reason why I haven’t wired up a transfer switch for my generator. This brings up another question. If I did go with a 220v mig would I be better off using the extension cord from the dryer or should I just run if off my generator? I have a Generac GP6500.

UnionMan

I have a 20' cord straight off my service panel in the garage that I run both my welders off of. I just coil it up when I'm done with it.
Takes about 20 minutes to wire one up.

 

[bandaidmd]

I also have mine wired on a long cord,.Buy the plug and wire you can take it to the new house youll only be out the 30 bucks for a breaker. Actually you may luck out that the breaker works at the new location.
It will work fine off the dryer outlet also, just make sure to size your wire properly for its lenth.

Sent from my SCH-I605 using Tapatalk

 

[UnionMan]

I wish it was that easy to just tap in a panel in my garage. Problem is I dont have a garage and my panel is on the other side of the house from my 28x32 feet concrete pad I plan on working on outside. I hope to be building my house on a large piece of property I just purchased a couple months back and will be building a very large pole barn in conjunction with my father to house all the woodworking equipment and hopefully a new welder. I just want something that I can use in the meantime. But by the sound of it if I go with a smaller welder Ill be kicking myself down the road wishing I just went ahead a gotten a 220v mig.

 

[lsmurphy]

I wish it was that easy to just tap in a panel in my garage. Problem is I dont have a garage and my panel is on the other side of the house from my 28x32 feet concrete pad I plan on working on outside. I hope to be building my house on a large piece of property I just purchased a couple months back and will be building a very large pole barn in conjunction with my father to house all the woodworking equipment and hopefully a new welder. I just want something that I can use in the meantime. But by the sound of it if I go with a smaller welder Ill be kicking myself down the road wishing I just went ahead a gotten a 220v mig.

I've got a mig and my grandfather's old Lincoln buzz box. I'm currently working on a receiver hitch for my truck......ordering a new bumper and I will build the hitch behind it.

I will use the stick welder, I'm just more comfortable with it on heavy gauge materials...3/8.

The mig is cleaner and I use it on lighter materials.


Point is......for welding up tractor attachments and so forth..........there is nothing wrong with a $200 used stick welder.
Another $80 for a cord......$100 for a helmet....pair of gloves..........and you've got a good start.


Yes.......do the dryer plug.

 

[hodge]

I wish it was that easy to just tap in a panel in my garage. Problem is I dont have a garage and my panel is on the other side of the house from my 28x32 feet concrete pad I plan on working on outside. I hope to be building my house on a large piece of property I just purchased a couple months back and will be building a very large pole barn in conjunction with my father to house all the woodworking equipment and hopefully a new welder. I just want something that I can use in the meantime. But by the sound of it if I go with a smaller welder Ill be kicking myself down the road wishing I just went ahead a gotten a 220v mig.

Everybody is different- the 110 welder that I started out with served me well for over a year, until my skills and needs exceeded it. There is a healthy market for used welders, so it is pretty conceivable that you can start out smaller and sell it later.
I bought an 8/3 Yellowjacket cord (50 foot), and two 50 AMP dryer plugs (male and female). It has served me well, and I have less than $130 in it. That would be a smart investment- you could weld off of your dryer plug until you build your pole barn, then you would have the cord to use when you had to do something that was away from the plug in the barn, or someone else's place.
If you made up a cord, you could also skip the mig and buy a used arc welder- they can be purchased for very reasonable prices- and have all the welder you would ever need. I have an A/C D/C Lincoln tombstone that my dad had purchased for $200- they run over $500 new. It will last forever.

 

[MagKarl]

I've got a Hobart Handler 135, using Ar/CO2 and 0.030" solid wire. It's an awesome machine for most light stuff under 1/4". I love not having to pick and brush slag. I make multiple passes for thicker stuff, or use my Dad's 220V stick with 6011 if I really want it burned in deep. Point is, these two machines excel at different jobs. A 110V MIG and a 220V stick is a good match in my opinion and covers most home/farm use pretty well. Go used on both and you'll be set for pretty minimal investment.

 

[bandaidmd]

I've got a Hobart Handler 135, using Ar/CO2 and 0.030" solid wire. It's an awesome machine for most light stuff under 1/4". I love not having to pick and brush slag. I make multiple passes for thicker stuff, or use my Dad's 220V stick with 6011 if I really want it burned in deep. Point is, these two machines excel at different jobs. A 110V MIG and a 220V stick is a good match in my opinion and covers most home/farm use pretty well. Go used on both and you'll be set for pretty minimal investment.

needle scaler is my new fav tool for slag removal.

 

[phildac]

UnionMan,

I have a Hobart Handler 140 and love it. I would use gas if you have the means too, the lack of spatter makes such a cleaner bead. If you're looking to weld anything larger than 1/4" go for a 220v otherwise the Handler 140 will work great. I built this log skidder with my Handler 140 and it was more than enough to weld the 1/4" square tube I used.

 

[dieseldude]

A little input for expierence. I have a Lincoln WeldPak100 110v flux core, soon to be converted to mig, and an old Lincoln AC225 buzz box tombstone. With these I have welded From 16ga to 1/2" thick plate.

Somethings to keep in mind, when welding thick material multiple passes and beveling may be necessary to get a good bond.

Welding with a generator IMO a bad idea. I burned out 2 volatge regulators on a generator.

220V with a cord is doable with a heavy enough cord maybe 1 size larger. 110v machines will work better on a dedicated 20A circuit and no cord or at least mine does.

If possible like someone else mentioned, take a few classes, learn the correct way to do thing, the end results are worth it. I was fournate enough to have welding as part of my sophmore year classes.

Just my $.02 worth.

Good luck.