Beginning welder choice
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Northeast LA
Beginning welder choice
Would this welder be okay to learn on. http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=55250 I figure it's no where near the best but I just want to learn to weld on this then later buy a better one. The main reason I chose this one was the low price and it can be used with or without gas. I'm sure it's one of those you get what you pay for kind of things, but if I can learn to weld with this, then when I buy a better one maybe it'll be easier. any thoughts would be appreciated.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2005
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True you do get what you pay for. I would check out a couple of name brand welders first, ie: Lincoln. It will cost you a lot more than $160, but in the long run you will be happier. I have 2 Lincoln 3200's and they work great for any of the lighter duty stuff I have fabbed up, up to 5/16 steele. It is hard to spend $300-$400 when you see something for 1/2 the price if you are on a budjet, but you will be glad you did.
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: wi
check out local pawn shops for a used licolin or miller i have one of each and like the miller better, the wire that dont use gas just plan sucks so get ya a bottle rite away and dont even mess with the gasless stuff youll be glad ya did
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Atlanta GA
Never had one, but, I think it will be okay to learn on. Stick to 1/8 metal and less. Would be okay for sheet metal, exhaust, and art projects. Building a wheel barrel, small garden wagon, etc.
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From: Rockford, Il
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From: Melbourne, Aus
- thread moved to Garage/workshop
I would suggest buying a reasonable caddy welder for your first welder.
That way - later on, when you have bought another welder, the caddy is still useful.
I have a kemppi 180amp as my only welder. If I need something bigger - I just do it at work.
http://www.kemppi.com/inet/kemppi/ki...ddot_br_EN.pdf
I would suggest buying a reasonable caddy welder for your first welder.
That way - later on, when you have bought another welder, the caddy is still useful.
I have a kemppi 180amp as my only welder. If I need something bigger - I just do it at work.
http://www.kemppi.com/inet/kemppi/ki...ddot_br_EN.pdf
Last edited by BigF350; Sep 28, 2007 at 07:21 AM.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: sunny fla sometimes windy
Throw away the handheld shield or you won't be able to see to buy another welder!!
Get a quality non auto darkening full face shield!! I just went to Disneys back lot where they sell thier old stuff they had a giant miller welder for $400.00 it was 4 foot tall monster on wheels, I didn't even want to look at it because I know I would want it and I couldn't afford it! Thay also had two big diesel generators for $400. each and my buddies grandfather just put in a whole house genset for $7000.00 I amdefinately going to be checking them out regularly it seems like they have some good deals!
Get a quality non auto darkening full face shield!! I just went to Disneys back lot where they sell thier old stuff they had a giant miller welder for $400.00 it was 4 foot tall monster on wheels, I didn't even want to look at it because I know I would want it and I couldn't afford it! Thay also had two big diesel generators for $400. each and my buddies grandfather just put in a whole house genset for $7000.00 I amdefinately going to be checking them out regularly it seems like they have some good deals!
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 5,326
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From: Gilbert
I was in the same situation a while ago. I ended up buying a Lincoln AC/DC 225/125 Arc Welder from Home Depot. I think it was about $400... I don't use it that often but it's been great so far (have had it for about 2 years).
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,166
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From: wi
ya Bullett that lincolin will be around for a long time! i got the same one and its like 30 some years old still welds like a champ. i got mine free,but then again dad hasnt welded in 10 years and since i did all his weldin for him he just let me have it. i spent a few bucks on the miller wire feed and im glad i did,it welds so good its unreal
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,377
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From: Elkhart IN
To learn to weld, dont go with a mig. It's too easy to make a bead that looks "good" but really is just a cold booger that looks ok. Get a older used buzz box, will last forever, and can do pretty much anything.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: Frequently frozen MN
To learn to weld, dont go with a mig. It's too easy to make a bead that looks "good" but really is just a cold booger that looks ok. Get a older used buzz box, will last forever, and can do pretty much anything.
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ford2go
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Elkhart IN
The only reason that it is any easier is that the machine does the feeding for you. A mig weld can look good, but just be laying on top of the base metal and be very weak. Mig is "easy" to do, but getting the machine set correctly to yeild a good strong weld is difficult.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Windsor, Colorado
I had a cheap buzz box for several years. Hardly used it! I got my miller 185 and use it all the time because it is so nice to weld with. I think you can learn just fine with a mig as long as you understand what a good weld is.