Dipping toes in the world of Welding

[HappyTopster]

It seem tractor ownership and welding are one of those combinations that just makes so much sense. From adding hooks, brackets, making repairs, the benefits are endless. I’ve watched a couple neighbors use welders and it so dang useful. We moved to the country ~5 yrs ago so the whole “woods life” has been fascinating, enriching, challenging, etc. and I’m all in! I don’t normally support the CCP war effort but Harbor Freight can get you equipped w/welding equipment pretty reasonably. There’s also a large high end welding store near me. Any thoughts, advice/ recommendations for entering the world of welding?
Apologies if this topic has been beat to death already.
Chris

 

[WI_Hedgehog]

Weld wire is "filler," not cake frosting. The arc should melt the two parts together, the filler wire is there to replace the material that gets vaporized.

If you plan on having a welder for anything more than occasionally gluing stuff together, get a good one, otherwise inexpensive works just fine.

 

[Tarmy]

Join Welding Web…lots of good info and great folks…

Sorta like this place for welders.

 

[Hoserman]

Over the years I worked the trades I was exposed to a multitude of different types of welders. The ones we had in the shop were all plugins. We also had several gas operated units that we used when plugging in was not available. 90% of ours were Millers and were great machines. The nice part about the gas machines was they were a generator so you could plug-in grinders, drills, work lights etc. I guess it all depends on your needs, budget, or space. Good luck on your quest.

 

[jimh406]

Try your neighbors welders if they will let you. Like Kubotas, some welding machines are better than others.

Maybe make a list of the projects you might do and include whether you plan to work outside or not.

 

[PoTreeBoy]

It seem tractor ownership and welding are one of those combinations that just makes so much sense. From adding hooks, brackets, making repairs, the benefits are endless. I’ve watched a couple neighbors use welders and it so dang useful. We moved to the country ~5 yrs ago so the whole “woods life” has been fascinating, enriching, challenging, etc. and I’m all in! I don’t normally support the CCP war effort but Harbor Freight can get you equipped w/welding equipment pretty reasonably. There’s also a large high end welding store near me. Any thoughts, advice/ recommendations for entering the world of welding?
Apologies if this topic has been beat to death already.
Chris

Try to find a local class for farmers, hobbyist, DIY etc. A little hands on assistance really helps get started.

 

[InTheWoods]

A toe dipped into the world of welding might start with trolling FB marketplace and picking up an old stick welder - a decent old US made one. For the money, they're hard to beat, and gazillions of country folks relied on them for many years.

A MIG welder (that uses gas rather than flux-core wire) is the next step, and generally a step up.

Kinda depends on your personality - some guys like shiny and new, and want it NOW. HF if you're o n a budget or the 'real' welding store if you don't mind spending 10x.

If you take pleasure in getting a good value, as I mentioned, trolling marketplace and taking your time is the way to go.

 

[JasonW]

Read up on the different processes and then decide which would be best for you. 110v units or 220v units.
They have multi process welders. I have a Miller Thunderbolt XL AC/DC stick machine, Miller 215 Multi process which does stick, MIG (GMAW) and with optional equipment DC TIG. An aluminum spool gun to run with the 215. And just recently bought a Lincoln 205 AC/DC TIG machine. AC is needed to weld aluminum.

Buying used is a good idea but in my area people are trying to sell machines that are older than me at 80% of a new machine.

Miller and Lincoln run sales/rebates at different times of the year. And other bigger brands.

Also look into a plasma cutter or an acetylene torch. Grinders, magnets, welding tables, welding hoods etc.

 

[old and tired]

I started with an old Craftsman's welder, I think, AC only, if you can weld with that, everything else is easy!!! It saved my numerous Craig's list purchases (everything needed at least some welding to make them work).

I bought some flux core machines and got good at that... my only problem is I don't have enough welding projects lined up todo.... I need to play with them more... it's a great hobby!!!

 

[OntheRidge]

check out TimWelds.com, very helpful

 

[HappyTopster]

Weld wire is "filler," not cake frosting. The arc should melt the two parts together, the filler wire is there to replace the material that gets vaporized.

If you plan on having a welder for anything more than occasionally gluing stuff together, get a good one, otherwise inexpensive works just fine.

View attachment 155371

Thank you.

 

[HappyTopster]

Join Welding Web…lots of good info and great folks…

Sorta like this place for welders.

Welding Web? Sounds like just the thing.
Thank you!

 

[HappyTopster]

Over the years I worked the trades I was exposed to a multitude of different types of welders. The ones we had in the shop were all plugins. We also had several gas operated units that we used when plugging in was not available. 90% of ours were Millers and were great machines. The nice part about the gas machines was they were a generator so you could plug-in grinders, drills, work lights etc. I guess it all depends on your needs, budget, or space. Good luck on your quest.

Wow! Much to learn. It keeps life interesting.
Thank you!

 

[HappyTopster]

Try your neighbors welders if they will let you. Like Kubotas, some welding machines are better than others.

Maybe make a list of the projects you might do and include whether you plan to work outside or not.

Good idea. I do have a long heavy gauge cable I think would be suitable that would give me some options on location. Obviously I’ll get that verified by somebody knowledgeable. I have a good rapport w/an electrical contractor who I can get advice from.

 

[HappyTopster]

Try to find a local class for farmers, hobbyist, DIY etc. A little hands on assistance really helps get started.

Yes! I believe there are some intro classes in my area.
Thank you!

 

[HappyTopster]

A toe dipped into the world of welding might start with trolling FB marketplace and picking up an old stick welder - a decent old US made one. For the money, they're hard to beat, and gazillions of country folks relied on them for many years.

A MIG welder (that uses gas rather than flux-core wire) is the next step, and generally a step up.

Kinda depends on your personality - some guys like shiny and new, and want it NOW. HF if you're o n a budget or the 'real' welding store if you don't mind spending 10x.

If you take pleasure in getting a good value, as I mentioned, trolling marketplace and taking your time is the way to go.

A toe dipped into the world of welding might start with trolling FB marketplace and picking up an old stick welder - a decent old US made one. For the money, they're hard to beat, and gazillions of country folks relied on them for many years.

A MIG welder (that uses gas rather than flux-core wire) is the next step, and generally a step up.

Kinda depends on your personality - some guys like shiny and new, and want it NOW. HF if you're o n a budget or the 'real' welding store if you don't mind spending 10x.

If you take pleasure in getting a good value, as I mentioned, trolling marketplace and taking your time is the way to go.

Thank you for the thoughtful reply. I’ll browse FB as I gain more knowledge. I watched my 80+ yr old neighbor use a 50+ yr old welder to add a bracket on an old weight bench (that I’d pulled from roadside garbage years ago) so I could add a leg extension/curl attachment. That welding machine was anything but shiny and those welds will never fail.

 

[HappyTopster]

Read up on the different processes and then decide which would be best for you. 110v units or 220v units.
They have multi process welders. I have a Miller Thunderbolt XL AC/DC stick machine, Miller 215 Multi process which does stick, MIG (GMAW) and with optional equipment DC TIG. An aluminum spool gun to run with the 215. And just recently bought a Lincoln 205 AC/DC TIG machine. AC is needed to weld aluminum.

Buying used is a good idea but in my area people are trying to sell machines that are older than me at 80% of a new machine.

Miller and Lincoln run sales/rebates at different times of the year. And other bigger brands.

Also look into a plasma cutter or an acetylene torch. Grinders, magnets, welding tables, welding hoods etc.

Great info, thanks. My elderly neighbor also fired up the torch to cut some steel plates. How can I possibly live without such a thing? Holy hell!!!These forums are crazy. I want it all.

 

[Old Machinist]

I got by with and bragged on a 120V Lincoln SP100 for over 30 years. This year I upgraded to a Prime Weld 180 and I love it. Very reasonably priced unit that runs on 120V or 240V. I highly recommend going ahead with a dedicated 240V circuit and using shielding gas.

I have only used it for mig welding but it also does stick welding and even comes with a spool gun for aluminum.

 

[Apogee]

Do yourself a favor and buy a 220v unit. I'd suggest Miller, Lincoln, Esab or the like. In other words spend the money up front and get a "real" machine. You won't regret it. I fully concur with the previous post about picking up an older machine. Most are bulletproof and will last forever.

The only caveat is beware of Miller discontinuing circuit boards on their older stuff. If you buy a fixer machine check to make sure parts are available. Consumables are nothing to worry about. Only the circuit boards inside the machines.

The reason I say buy a "real" machine is you will find they lay down better welds. Also, they usually can swing lots more amperage which equals welding thicker material.

My advice is to stay away from the cheap 120v units because for doing anything heavier than sheet metal they really don't have the horsepower.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Runs With Scissors]

Once Upon a Time......

There was a stubborn/block-headed guy that had more money than sense, and he decided to he was going to learn to TIG weld, come "Hell or high water".

Well this knucklehead got on the Inter-web, and after becoming an "Armchair welding expert" promptly spent 2500 bucks on a new welder, helmet, and all the supplies and such.

Well after about 4 weeks of the most frustrating series's of "epic welding failures" ever recorded in human history, he decided to sign up for a "TIG welding 101" class at the local community college.

Turns out that it was the best 239 dollars/14 weeks he ever spent.

That instructor straightened him out, in "no time flat".

The End.