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No as I bought the welder, cart, sheet metal plasma cutter and auto helmet package deal thru a local welding store. It also was over 10 years ago.
That welder is my 2nd, first one got legs and walked when I had work done on my house.
Being the contractor was paying for the welder I bought the rest and because I was getting everything they cut a deal.
BTW the first was also a Lincoln 135 I got from Home Depot with gas setup.
Dave - - - -
No as I bought the welder, cart, sheet metal plasma cutter and auto helmet package deal thru a local welding store. It also was over 10 years ago.
That welder is my 2nd, first one got legs and walked when I had work done on my house.
Being the contractor was paying for the welder I bought the rest and because I was getting everything they cut a deal.
BTW the first was also a Lincoln 135 I got from Home Depot with gas setup.
Dave - - - -
Thanks Dave, I'm gonna try my luck with Craigslist/Offerup and get one that can do all.
The first photo you posted uses flux core wire. In a pinch it would work fine especially if your out doors and in a windy environment. I would rather purchase a mig welder that uses argon/co2 mix. It can still be set up to run flux core wire. Using argon/ co2 mix will provide much nicer welds. Lincoln, Miller, Hobart are all good stuff. Just takes some practice and patience to get the results you are looking for. In the beginning you will make a lot of pigeon poop, but that's ok because your grinding skills will improve. LOL Do it and don't look back. You never know you could truly be talented.
....an example of other projects you can make with a welder. I have a '98 4R70W 4-spd automatic overdrive transmission that will eventually take the place of the C-4 3-spd automatic in my truck.
I was looking at fixtures to hold the transmission for tearing it down and reassembly. Store bought fixtures averaged around $200.00 ....uh....no! I decided I would build my own holding fixture.
A scrap piece of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" boxed tubing from an old hand rail and a piece of 2-3/8" O.D. pipe, some 1/2"-13 coupling nuts, all thread and some regular 1/2"-13 nuts. I have under $20.00 dollars spent on materials for this project.
Boxed tubing cut to the shape of the template --that's old school CAD (Cardboard Aided Design).
If it makes you feel any less apprehensive to get and use a welder, just know that I've never had any formal training on how to weld and yet, there's the proof that the fixture I welded together will hold up the fully assembled weight of a 4R70W transmission without failing.
No pics of my welders, a Hobart 187 MIG $500 and an AHP Alpha TIG 200 $750. Yes, highly recommend a class and a bunch of scrap for practicing. Then make the cart your first project. My $.02 - buy as big as you can afford, I'm always a running into needing a little more power. Also, if you have a set budget price out the tank of gas first.
That cheapo Chinese TIG ain't no Miller Synchrowave...but it still welds.
....an example of other projects you can make with a welder. I have a '98 4R70W 4-spd automatic overdrive transmission that will eventually take the place of the C-4 3-spd automatic in my truck.
I was looking at fixtures to hold the transmission for tearing it down and reassembly. Store bought fixtures averaged around $200.00 ....uh....no! I decided I would build my own holding fixture.
A scrap piece of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" boxed tubing from an old hand rail and a piece of 2-3/8" O.D. pipe, some 1/2"-13 coupling nuts, all thread and some regular 1/2"-13 nuts. I have under $20.00 dollars spent on materials for this project.
Boxed tubing cut to the shape of the template --that's old school CAD (Cardboard Aided Design).
If it makes you feel any less apprehensive to get and use a welder, just know that I've never had any formal training on how to weld and yet, there's the proof that the fixture I welded together will hold up the fully assembled weight of a 4R70W transmission without failing.
I have the 110V, 135 amp MIG machine from Eastwood, with shielding gas. Works great for what I need, mostly sheet metal.
That's what I have too. I've been welding since I was 8. My dad was a certified welding instructor. The eastwood 135 is the best machine (light duty) that I've ever used. Easy to set up, easy to maintain. Been going strong for 8 years now with no complaints. And you can use it with or without shielding gas, just change the polarity inside the cover, takes about 30 seconds.
....an example of other projects you can make with a welder. I have a '98 4R70W 4-spd automatic overdrive transmission that will eventually take the place of the C-4 3-spd automatic in my truck.
I was looking at fixtures to hold the transmission for tearing it down and reassembly. Store bought fixtures averaged around $200.00 ....uh....no! I decided I would build my own holding fixture.
A scrap piece of 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" boxed tubing from an old hand rail and a piece of 2-3/8" O.D. pipe, some 1/2"-13 coupling nuts, all thread and some regular 1/2"-13 nuts. I have under $20.00 dollars spent on materials for this project.
Boxed tubing cut to the shape of the template --that's old school CAD (Cardboard Aided Design).
If it makes you feel any less apprehensive to get and use a welder, just know that I've never had any formal training on how to weld and yet, there's the proof that the fixture I welded together will hold up the fully assembled weight of a 4R70W transmission without failing.
Love the CAD I have used that a lot.
When you said hand rail reminded me of when I remodeled my house and had to redo the front door hand rail. That's when I found my first welder was gone. When I got the 2nd welder I welded up the railing.
So yes you will find all kind of things to use a MIG welder for.
Dave ----
i like my Miller Autoset 140. so far it has done everything i have needed. we only have one "welding " store in the town where i live. they are open 8-5 Mon.-Fri. and closed on Sat.? where i grew up all of the welding all the welding store where open till 12 noon on Sat. i was in my local NAPA the other day. they told me that they rent the same size welding bottle that i use. and they do it cheaper than the welding store. here,s the kicker. they get the bottles form the same welding store that,s in town. because they buy so much they get a discount. NAPA also has all of the wire, gloves, tips and other things to weld with. Tractor Supply also has a good selection of welding items. the local welding store is just to high priced on their stuff.
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I have used that a lot.
