Noob Welder?

[Big_THanks]

I am wanting to learn to weld I want to get a cheap electric welder. I just need something good enough to work on stuff like a roof rack or something.

Best and cheapest beginner electric welder? Also which type is best?

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[TheFauxFox]

MIG welding is by far the easiest form of welding to pick up. IMO, welding is not a cheap skill and cannot be had with cheap equipment (relatively speaking). As far as which type of welding is the best, it depends on what you're doing. 90% of the time, TIG welding is the "superior" style of welding. This is because of the increased control and penetration of the heat. However, TIG welding is by far the most expensive, double the cost of MIG welding.

I could write a thesis on this stuff, but I'll leave you with that for now and a my suggestion for a starter welder:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200471413_200471413

The Lincoln equivalent is also a viable option and some come with a mask and wire with the bundle. I recommend the Hobart only because it is made similarly to Miller welders, some of the top welders on the market. Parts are interchangeable and support can be found through Miller. While it may be overkill for just a basket, either the Lincoln or Hobart will suit you well.

 

[Intender]

How much do you want to spend. And do you plan on getting into heavier gauge stuff. I have a cheap harbor freight wire feed one that is great for sheet metal and exhaust, but thats about it. Its 100amp model and struggles to get a good weld on anything over 1/8". It served its purpose well until I started trying to weld heavier stuff though.

I wish I had bought a good stick welder the first time. Most of the 1/4 stuff that I weld I use my buddies. If I were going to buy another cheap welder it would probably be something like a lincoln 225, but I think it runs on 220v not 110v so you will need a circuit in your house that can do that. Its wont make pretty welds, but it will hold. it wont really let you weld small stuff all that well though. I want to say its lowest setting is somewhere around 40amps. I tried patching a hole in my stock muffler with it one time and it just burned a hole as soon as it arced even on the lowest setting.

I think lincoln sells a few small mig welders for under $400, and I think hobart has a few in the 125, or 130 range under $400. In that range they would probably be 120v welders. Those should be good for up to 1/8 and some of them have gas options if you decide to go that route and want prettier welds.

I dont know a ton about welders. I have used several different models over the years and have grown fond of hobarts. If I were going to drop some money on a good wire feed welder it would be a hobart.

 

[Macland]

Check local farm auctions for used ones too.

 

[BuffaloFunk]

As others have stated, flux/electric welding is hard to get down. They are cheap for a reason. I believe a flux welder is good for someone on a budget that already knows how to weld.

I'd recommend you saving your pennies and getting a nice used MIG welder. Way easier than flux and you get a much nicer weld and have a lot more options of what you are going to weld. Plus, if you buy used, it most likely won't drop in price much if you need to sell it. Any of the major brands will do you just fine.

That being said, if you are willing to live with having a hard time and being frustrated, give the flux a go. But, you'll only lose money (most likely) if you decide you want to sell it for a MIG/TIG.

 

[mudchet]

I am wanting to learn to weld I want to get a cheap electric welder. I just need something good enough to work on stuff like a roof rack or something.

Best and cheapest beginner electric welder? Also which type is best?

Sent from my Note 2 using Tapatalk HD

I am in a similar situation. I want to build my own rear bumper swing arm. If i manage to secure a mig welder, is there somewhere in the nashville area I can go to learn to weld?

 

[AZhiAZiAM]

i've always used miller, they run about 1500 on the CL's around here and that's with a tank. its mig and you can learn a ton with them. very simple to run too.

 

[02Xterra]

I am in a similar situation. I want to build my own rear bumper swing arm. If i manage to secure a mig welder, is there somewhere in the nashville area I can go to learn to weld?

A community college near where I live offers a couple semesters of welding classes. I've considered taking one at some point.. Plus its pretty cheap being a community college.. try that route

 

[mudchet]

Good idea. Thanks.

 

[xterror04]

Mig will be your best starting platform... Cheap will not happen.... If you buy a cheap welder it will weld like crap. Simply put. And if it welds scrappy you will not like the out come.. get frustrated and discouraged from welding...

I recommend something that you can atleast hook gas up to... I have a Hobart MIG 140, I absolutely love it , I have used a Lincoln mig 140.and like that as well ( both very similar) it welds up to 1/4" steel... I have done it and it is still holding strong... It has lots of temp and speed adjustment levels to help you dial in you welds... I picked mine up as a refurb unit for $400 off amazon

I had never welded much before buying this welder and did a lot of research before purchasing and have 0 regrets

 

[TheFauxFox]

As others have stated, flux/electric welding is hard to get down. They are cheap for a reason. I believe a flux welder is good for someone on a budget that already knows how to weld.

I'd recommend you saving your pennies and getting a nice used MIG welder. Way easier than flux and you get a much nicer weld and have a lot more options of what you are going to weld. Plus, if you buy used, it most likely won't drop in price much if you need to sell it. Any of the major brands will do you just fine.

That being said, if you are willing to live with having a hard time and being frustrated, give the flux a go. But, you'll only lose money (most likely) if you decide you want to sell it for a MIG/TIG.

I'm going to make a correction here:

Maybe its the way its worded, but flux welding/MIG welding (solid wire) is like comparing driving a prius to driving a 1-ton truck. Its the same thing, but with a few differences. MIG welders can run FLUX core wire. The difference is that MIG welders have the option to use shielding gas (rarely included with MIG welders). FLUX core wire is the same wire, but with the shielding gas implemented (for lack of a better term) in/on the wire. Running a MIG welder with shielding gas will give cleaner, better-looking welds than flux core will, but it will cost about $50-200 more depending on the bottle of gas in terms of quantity. Additionally, flux wire will cause more weld spatter, which is countered with nozzle dip.

I don't know much about the actual truth behind this, but I have heard that FLUX allows for slightly better penetration than shielded wire.

More info can be found here:
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/articles/index.php?page=article62.html

There are also suggested equivalency charts to determine which welder you will need for your selected material. Alternatively, Miller makes an app for that... Its moderately accurate.

EDIT:
I completely agree with Luke. Get something rated close to the Hobart/Lincoln/Miller 140. It'll do most of whatever you want short of building a KoH rig.

 

[xterror04]

I am in a similar situation. I want to build my own rear bumper swing arm. If i manage to secure a mig welder, is there somewhere in the nashville area I can go to learn to weld?

When I lived there I couldn't find any inexpensive classes, buy some steel and a case of beer and head over to Dave's house... He can give you pointers and get you started... Best way to learn is just keep welding

 

[drbandkgb]

I like my Lincoln a bunch.. Key is to get the most peer for the bank... If you are only using 120 the buy the Welder of your choice that maxes this out.
If you have 220 then the world is your oyster. I would keep away from the Harbor freight cheap 90 watt deal.. Sure it will stick 2 pieces of metal together but you truly get what you pay for there..

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-...re-Feed-Welder-K2514-1/100670934#.Uo6-AJHYcig
This is what I own... And for normal use it works well for my needs.

 

[mudchet]

When I lived there I couldn't find any inexpensive classes, buy some steel and a case of beer and head over to Dave's house... He can give you pointers and get you started... Best way to learn is just keep welding

Sounds good. dave already said beer is on him cuz its his birthday, so all i need is a welder.

 

[drbandkgb]

Sounds good. dave already said beer is on him cuz its his birthday, so all i need is a welder.

I have that too

 

[02Xterra]

Sounds like we need to have a Welding 101 class at Dave's.. lol

 

[BuffaloFunk]

I'm going to make a correction here:

Maybe its the way its worded, but flux welding/MIG welding (solid wire) is like comparing driving a prius to driving a 1-ton truck. Its the same thing, but with a few differences. MIG welders can run FLUX core wire. The difference is that MIG welders have the option to use shielding gas (rarely included with MIG welders). FLUX core wire is the same wire, but with the shielding gas implemented (for lack of a better term) in/on the wire. Running a MIG welder with shielding gas will give cleaner, better-looking welds than flux core will, but it will cost about $50-200 more depending on the bottle of gas in terms of quantity. Additionally, flux wire will cause more weld spatter, which is countered with nozzle dip.

I don't know much about the actual truth behind this, but I have heard that FLUX allows for slightly better penetration than shielded wire.

I fail to see what is wrong with my statement.

FLUX welding is pretty tricky, and can be pretty limiting on what you want to weld. Sheet metal? Yeah right. Have fun with melting holes everywhere. Also, I failed to mention it, but I thought it was implied, that you cannot MIG weld with a FLUX welder. I also did not mention, and did not assume it was implied, that you usually (depending on your equipment; some cheap welders specify that you shouldn't) FLUX weld with a MIG welder... another reason you have a lot more options of what you are going to weld.

 

[TN4x4Xterra]

Sounds like we need to have a Welding 101 class at Dave's.. lol

Make sure the fire dept is on standby....just sayin'

 

[TheFauxFox]

I fail to see what is wrong with my statement.

FLUX welding is pretty tricky, and can be pretty limiting on what you want to weld. Sheet metal? Yeah right. Have fun with melting holes everywhere. Also, I failed to mention it, but I thought it was implied, that you cannot MIG weld with a FLUX welder. I also did not mention, and did not assume it was implied, that you usually (depending on your equipment; some cheap welders specify that you shouldn't) FLUX weld with a MIG welder... another reason you have a lot more options of what you are going to weld.

Not to throw this thread off course in anyway.

I'm confused as to where Flux welding is considered a different technique of welding as opposed to MIG, TIG, and ARC. Are we talking about completely different things here?

 

[granitex]

Wire fed, and stick have there indavidual benefits and drawbacks. I am very lucky to have access to run the best one for the given application.

If I have clean metal, that I can get out of the wind, I would rather use a shielded MIG, out in the wind with clean metal, flux core( with all things being equal ) flux core will penatrate better than solid wire.

But for rusty dirty stuff, nothing is better than an old fashion stick welder.


As far as preferences go from manufacturers,,,,,,, everyone has a favorite, but if you can weld with one, you can weld with them all, get the biggest one that you can justify and learn how to use it to its fullest potential


My favorite one is my ready welder, hook up two batteries and I am ready to go. Three and it will weld up to 3/4 inch thick.

 

[TKDx00]

I bought the one Dave posted from HD. I did find a local who allowed me to waste a few pieces of metal to get a basic understanding before I bought it. Once I got the welder I just messed around with it until I understood the controls better. I welded a few small things as practice until I made a set of sliders. Than a rear bumper, learning more as I went along. As long as I take my time... I can weld up to 1/4" with no problems.

 

[BuffaloFunk]

Not to throw this thread off course in anyway.

I'm confused as to where Flux welding is considered a different technique of welding as opposed to MIG, TIG, and ARC. Are we talking about completely different things here?

Technique is the same, but having to actually weld anything that isn't at least 1/4 maybe 3/8 thick is pretty damn tricky when it comes to Flux... at least in my experience.

Also, I think we are talking about the same thing. AFAIK Flux welding is basically MIG welding without the gas and having the Flux feed wire.

 

[xterror04]

I fail to see what is wrong with my statement.

FLUX welding is pretty tricky, and can be pretty limiting on what you want to weld. Sheet metal? Yeah right. Have fun with melting holes everywhere. Also, I failed to mention it, but I thought it was implied, that you cannot MIG weld with a FLUX welder. I also did not mention, and did not assume it was implied, that you usually (depending on your equipment; some cheap welders specify that you shouldn't) FLUX weld with a MIG welder... another reason you have a lot more options of what you are going to weld.

This doesn't make sense... Flux is just a type of wire... As long as you use the correct size wire for metal you can weld thin sheet metal just fine.....

 

[BuffaloFunk]

This doesn't make sense... Flux is just a type of wire... As long as you use the correct size wire for metal you can weld thin sheet metal just fine.....

Maybe I'm just a ****ty welder then. In my experience I had a hell of a time trying to weld anything that even came close to thin, and I wasn't even in gauge thicknesses. I'm no master welder, but at the time this was with a certified welder nearby in the machine shop and he just barked out "Why are you using that? Just use the regular MIG." Switched out to that and didn't have a problem. Same thing has happened several times but with thin-walled tube and such. I'm by no means professionally trained, but just an engineer who tries to save the tool & die makers along with the machinists some time by doing the minor tasks of the work orders I've put in for them. It could have been a learning curve thing. Either way, in my personal experience, the regular MIG welder with gas has been way easier than when I've tried using it all set up for FLUX.

 

[TheFauxFox]

This doesn't make sense... Flux is just a type of wire... As long as you use the correct size wire for metal you can weld thin sheet metal just fine.....

I guess this is what I'm trying to say.

In controlled Environments, MIG, with solid wire, is ideal.