how much would it cost to ...

[Moon]

I did not think of the hooks for the FEL when I purchased my tractor. Now I realize I need em.
I would like to learn to weld. My boy had welding in HS a few years ago so he could help / assist me with the project.

...so i have a few questions:

What kind of welder would you need to weld the hooks on?

Is this a good project for someone just starting out welding? Ofcourse I'd practice on junk stuff first.

What kind of welding unit would I need and how much does it cost (ball park)?

What other items besides a welder would I need & how much do they run?

Thanks in Advance for your answers.
Moon of Ohio

 

[Bob_Skurka]

A few years ago I bought a small battery operated welder from Sears for about $300. It has become amazingly useful. The thing I like is that it can be used "in the field." The downside is that it has limited capacity to handle larger jobs without the need to be recharged mid-stream. But even with that shortcoming, it is capable of a lot more than I expected.

 

[TC18guy]

I'd like to learn some simple welding too. I can dream up all kinds of projects, but I don't even know where to start. My father-in-law has said he would teach me, but we never seem to make time for it.

 

[Charlie_in_TX]

Try over on the "Do It Yourself" forum. This question has been asked and answered many times there. In short, a buzz box (AC stick welder) will work. Like most everything else, the more you spend (like a DC stick welder) the better the machine.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I learned to weld in college with a gas torch. Basically you can get several different types of welders. I'm a desk jocky by trade so I don't really want a full blown set up in my garage, just something easy. I like a little wire-feed welder that allows me to feed the wire with the push of a simple trigger. It is simple and easy, but not very heavy duty.

Small welders can be had for a few hundred dollars. Typically they plug into a 15 or 20amp outlet. The smaller units do not need any shielding gas so you pretty much just plug them in and weld.

As you go up in size & cost & capability you also go up in complexity. Things like shielding gas come into play where you have both the welder and a tank of gas. None of this is rocket science and anyone can learn . . . but a really good looking weld is something that takes a lot of practice. My welds hold up, but look ugly! Sort of like my drywall projects. I can hang the sheetrock, but the taping and mudding looks like an amature did it.

 

[GerardC]

Try this web page G

 

[MadReferee]

Check with your local Vocational Tech school or even high school. Lots of times they will have night adult education classes covering several trades. Welding is usually one of the most popular. At least at class you will learn the basics the correct way. Remember the key to any good weld is proper bead penetration.

I started back in the 70's with an oxy/acetlyene setup, progressed to an AC stick welder, and then to Mig. Once I got to the Mig I have used it exclusively and have never looked back.

 

[MadReferee]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...so i have a few questions:

What kind of welder would you need to weld the hooks on?)</font>

A good AC stick welder, around 150 or so amps output will do just fine.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( Is this a good project for someone just starting out welding? Ofcourse I'd practice on junk stuff first.)</font>

Yes, the perfect first project.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What kind of welding unit would I need and how much does it cost (ball park)?)</font>

Check with your local welding shop or online or even Sears. You should be ale to get a good AC stick welder for anywhere from $150-$300. Hobart, Lincoln, Sears are good and there are probably others too. Stay away from the el cheapo Harbor Freight kind.)</font>

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( What other items besides a welder would I need & how much do they run?)</font>

A good auto darkening helmet anywhere from $50 to $200.
Welders gloves, a hand grinder, chipping hammer, magnets to hold material while being welded, C clamps, locking C-clamp pliers, etc.

Good luck and have fun.

 

[Bird]

Moon, I'll agree that a welder and the ability to use it is invaluable, but if the hooks on the bucket are the only thing you have in mind right now, there are alternatives to having them welded on. In fact, I had the welder, but I installed my hooks by drilling holes in the top of the bucket and installed them on U-bolts so I could lay them back out of the way when I wasn't using them.

 

[Moon]

Thanks for the replies all.
I had seen some bolted on, and being able to flip the hook back could be handy, but I prefer having em welded on.
The adult vocational class is a good suggestion Mad. It's one of those things I've thought of doing, but haven't. Maybe once I have a welder I'll be more motivated to take a class or two.
Another good find, the Holbert site, GeraldC. purty cool.
I have a couple small trailers that could use a little welding also, so I have a few projects in mind, but the hooks for the bucket are at the top of that list.
Bob, glad to hear that the small lower end welders can be really handy to have around. I'm sure that is the type I'll start out with. ....Now I'm off to the projects forum or the how do i forum and see what I can find.
Thanks Guys!

 

[Zoomie]

I took a semester-long course in welding at the local junior college, and really learned alot, though there is much, much more that I didn't get to.

I have a flux-core wire feed for light duty welding and have been "borrowing" my dad's old Lincoln AC stick welder for heavier projects.

One will not replace the other, as the wire feed will easily handle thin sheet metal tasks (replacing rusted out decking on my rotary mower, that the buzz-box just burns holes in, even at its lowest setting.

I've recently ordered one of Hobart's new Champion 4500s. Its an (8hp B&S) engine-driven 140Amp AC welder that can serve dual duty as a 4500 watt AC generator.

It's not cheap ($1K), but its completely portable and fits my needs much better than a staionary unit. The generator feature means my small wire-feed unit is now as portable as the larger machine, since it runs off 120V AC.

Good luck, welding is an invaluable skill if you live in the country and have steel pipe fences or equipment to maintain.

 

[Henro]

<font color="blue"> Maybe once I have a welder I'll be more motivated to take a class or two.
</font>

Taking a course in the evening is invaluable. Otherwise how can you know if you are on track or off? Having a true weldor, the instructor, show you what is right and what you may not be doing right is worth A LOT!

I guess you can see I am really glad I took a basic welding class. Aside from practice the first project was welding hooks on my loader bucket. Very rewarding.

Maybe a class is not needed, but the opinion and guidance of someone who can well is very helpful.

I can't believe it took me over fifty years to learn basic welding... /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It is a great skill to learn. Not sure I could have learned much at all by myself...but that may just be me... /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[slowzuki]

If you know what you're doing you and get by doing some minor welding with a couple of pairs of jumper cables and a couple of car batteries.

Search offroading websites and you can get more info.

It is more dangerous than boosting a car, batteries can boil and blow acid everywhere if you do it too long. Optimal gel cells are the prefered battery for this.

 

[radman]

Like Bird, I bolted mine to the bucket. I bought the tow hooks commonly found in farm stores and auto part stores designed for 4 wheel drive trucks. A chain can easily be looped around them. They have 2 half inch bolts included with the hooks. Drill the holes and attach. No damage to the paint like a welder. They come in black or chrome. I have a 250 amp MIG welder, but I still often bolt things on when possible. I put one hook on each end of the bucket and one in the middle.

 

[Tdog]

Bolted mine on too. I copied exactly from Phred's post from the 'BX 22 Bucket Hooks' thread started 1/22/04. Works great.

 

[miller02]

Tdog........did a search for the BX22 Bucket Hooks thread, but couldn't come up with it. Was that in this forum?

 

[Tdog]

Sorry - - it's under Kubota Owning & Operating. I ordered the same hooks as he used.