Type of Welder

[travelingjw]

Have been viewing a number of mods on the forum and realize that I could do many of them if I had a welder. One example would be to weld a grate underneath my steps to create a shoe rack. Any suggestions on the type of welder? It would be for small jobs and repairs. Anything that had to do with "safety" would always be done by a professional. Thanks.

[PlayersZ28]

Minimum would be 120v mig welder with flux core wire. That'll weld up to about 1/4" thick material. Get one that you can add a gas kit to in the future if you find you use it more. Gas is cleaner welds than flux core. I have a Lincoln 180 (240v w/gas). I use it a lot. Over the 12 yrs I've had I've gone thru 2-3 Q tanks per yr and maybe 3-4 rolls of wire. I find it indispensable but then my son and I do a lot of fab work on projects. Next purchase will be a reasonable priced TIG welder for doing aluminum.

[norty1]

Many of us just put a piece of Wood or plastic in there with a slot to hold it in place. I can post a pic if anyone wants a look.

Make sure the steps will close before welding it in place!

[dartwest]

I use a Hobart MVP 210 which may be overkill for your needs. Prior to this welder I had a small Lincoln I bought at Home Depot or Lowes that worked fine on steel up to 1/4 inch in thickness. Once you get used to having a welder and being able to do your own metal fabrication it can become habit forming. I find metal work more enjoyable than wood work.

[Woodworker]

Originally Posted by norty1

Many of us just put a piece of Wood or plastic in there with a slot to hold it in place. I can post a pic if anyone wants a look.

Make sure the steps will close before welding it in place!

I'd like to see it please

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

[travelingjw]

Thank you, that is just the type of knowledge I was looking for!

[travelingjw]

Thanks and great advice. When I measured it I noticed that when my front step closes it will force me to put the grate down about an inch below the supports.

[travelingjw]

Thanks, and I suspect your are correct about wanting to "grow." I do a lot of my own work, remodeling etc. but now have the time to learn something new.

[PlayersZ28]

Once you have a welder everything starts to look like two pieces of steel that need to be joined together. LOL

I fab'd a set of stabilizers for the fiver front legs. Cots me about 75$ in material and they're better than the ones I could have bought for a few hundred.

[33 RLDS]

I have a Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V. A little under $500 from Amazon and has everything to weld with gas but the tank. I use the flux core. My welds might not look great put its fun to learn.

[PonyExpress]

Im very impressed with the Vulcan line at harbor freight. Reasonably priced and not cheap looking at all. Check youtube for reviews. If money is no object, go Miller

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by PonyExpress

Im very impressed with the Vulcan line at harbor freight. Reasonably priced and not cheap looking at all. Check youtube for reviews. If money is no object, go Miller

Which one? Am considering picking up a ProTIG 200 this winter.

[01tundra]

I have a Hobart Handler 187 mig and it's been a wonderful machine for several years now.

I had a brand new Miller 185 mig at the time that I won the Hobart. I welded several times with each side by side and decided to sell my new Miller and keep the Hobart. I liked welding with the Hobart better for some reason.

[etex211]

My welder is a Millermatic 150. I've had it for 20 years.

My recommendation is not screw around with the flux cored wire. A regulator and a bottle of gas doesn't really cost all that much, and the results will be much, much better.

I also recommend getting a large enough welder to use a 220v power source, though I'm sure many will disagree.

[PlayersZ28]

Originally Posted by etex211

My welder is a Millermatic 150. I've had it for 20 years.

My recommendation is not screw around with the flux cored wire. A regulator and a bottle of gas doesn't really cost all that much, and the results will be much, much better.

I also recommend getting a large enough welder to use a 220v power source, though I'm sure many will disagree.

Depends on the intended or expected usage. A 220v welder needs a specific receptacle and not all have 220v in their workspace. If it's not already there then the extra cost of a 220v welder and the outlet increases the cost by quite a bit of you don't do your own electrical work. A 120v welder is fine for thinner material and shorter duty cycles.

Using gas is much better than flux but again increases the cost. Up here in Canada I use TSC for gas but there is a 350$ bottle deposit to pay and then you just swap them and pay gas cost.

The OP wants to start into welding, don't want to scare him off with a huge up front cost

[PonyExpress]

Originally Posted by etex211

My welder is a Millermatic 150. I've had it for 20 years.

My recommendation is not screw around with the flux cored wire. A regulator and a bottle of gas doesn't really cost all that much, and the results will be much, much better.

I also recommend getting a large enough welder to use a 220v power source, though I'm sure many will disagree.

flux core wire is for welding in less than ideal conditions like outside in the wind. You cant weld outside very well with any wind at all with gas shield because the wind interferes with its shielding ability. Flux core isn't a cheap less high tech option. Its a legitimate welding method which has its place along with gas shield. Now if your always going to be onside a shop then gas shield all the way I say.

Oh and Ditto the 110v/220v machines. Dual voltage comes in handy.

[norty1]

Originally Posted by Woodworker

I'd like to see it please

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Here is the catch all shelf I made for under the steps. Just scrap wood.

[bdreinv]

Could you post a pic, been looking for a good place to leave my shoes other than the picnic table? Whoops just noticed your pics!Thanks