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Post by cobbledstones on Dec 28, 2015 23:23:24 GMT -5
I remember welding the interior of dump bodies as a kid for my dad. I was the only one small enough to climb up in there. But unfortunately, I haven't had to weld anything since I was 12, and reading all of the cool projects here has gotten me interested in picking it up again. I was hoping to get some opinions on good starter units, what to look for on craigslist, or any other advice on getting started. So what say you RTH? What is the best way to start zapping metal together?
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quartz
Cave Dweller
breakin' rocks in the hot sun
Member since February 2010
Posts: 3,356
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Post by quartz on Dec 29, 2015 0:47:47 GMT -5
Do you want to burn stick or wire? Personally, Lincoln or Miller machines are hard to beat. Not the cheapest but good for adjustability and durability. If you go with wire, put a gas bottle on it, core wire makes a spatter mess. I've got both, use the Miller stick for thicker material [+1/8"] and the 120 volt Lincoln wire machine for thinner. Like 'em both. The HF and similar have aluminum windings, cheap but typically not durable.
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,583
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Post by jamesp on Dec 29, 2015 4:58:46 GMT -5
I use a stick welder if my wife is not chasing me with a bat because I stole her wash rag As Larry mentioned, 1/8 and bigger a stick welder. The ole buzz box. AC stick welder is probably the most common. Fine for 1/8 and thicker. Should be an easy to find Craig's list item. I have a buzz box and another that is the same size but does DC. For plain steel 1/8 and better the buzz box does fine.
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NDK
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 9,440
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Post by NDK on Dec 29, 2015 22:44:50 GMT -5
I agree about not going cheap. A good quality welder will last you many years. I have a 110 v wire welder with a bottle as quartz recommended, and it does everything I need.
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jackangeline
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 107
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Post by jackangeline on Dec 30, 2015 9:47:59 GMT -5
I use a stick welder if my wife is not chasing me with a bat because I stole her wash rag As Larry mentioned, 1/8 and bigger a stick welder. The ole buzz box. AC stick welder is probably the most common. Fine for 1/8 and thicker. Should be an easy to find Craig's list item. I have a buzz box and another that is the same size but does DC. For plain steel 1/8 and better the buzz box does fine aka "Tombstone" welder....because of the shape not the result. my 2¢
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jamesp
Cave Dweller
Member since October 2012
Posts: 36,583
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Post by jamesp on Dec 30, 2015 16:49:41 GMT -5
I use a stick welder if my wife is not chasing me with a bat because I stole her wash rag As Larry mentioned, 1/8 and bigger a stick welder. The ole buzz box. AC stick welder is probably the most common. Fine for 1/8 and thicker. Should be an easy to find Craig's list item. I have a buzz box and another that is the same size but does DC. For plain steel 1/8 and better the buzz box does fine aka "Tombstone" welder....because of the shape not the result. my 2¢
Ah, tombstone mystery solved. I will inform the family.
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jackangeline
starting to spend too much on rocks
Member since December 2015
Posts: 107
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Post by jackangeline on Dec 30, 2015 17:07:05 GMT -5
I actually had to break out the welder today and show off my awesome (lmao) skills at making holes in metal where they aren't suppose to be. had to shorten (depth) of some pallet racking over my lathe...needed additional storage... the shop is getting rather crowded... should have build a bigger garage and shop...thought they would be fine....oh well..
Next project??? Studio for all the creative juices and equipment to be housed.
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Intheswamp
Cave Dweller
Member since September 2015
Posts: 1,910
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Post by Intheswamp on Dec 30, 2015 19:24:04 GMT -5
I use a stick welder if my wife is not chasing me with a bat because I stole her wash rag As Larry mentioned, 1/8 and bigger a stick welder. The ole buzz box. AC stick welder is probably the most common. Fine for 1/8 and thicker. Should be an easy to find Craig's list item. I have a buzz box and another that is the same size but does DC. For plain steel 1/8 and better the buzz box does fine aka "Tombstone" welder....because of the shape not the result. my 2¢
Sad story.... Friend of mine was doing some welding with a similar-looking welder in the middle of the summer. It was hot..hot...hot. His shirt was drenched with sweat, his pants were drenched, his boots were drenched, etc.,. He had a rod to stick and he snatched back on it...electrodes hit him in the chest. A nurse lived down the road from him...her knees were a bloody mess from kneeling on the concrete shop floor beside him and beating on his chest. Shape or result...didn't matter to him or his family...the welder killed him. They're nothing to play with.
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