So I finally got a welder adding to my DIY possibilities

[General Lee]

:laughing:

A decade and a half ago, my first career choice I was a steel fabricator at a local welding company. Learned a lot and was pretty decent at the job. Fast forward until now and I've only burned a few rods here and there. I need to fix my drum aerator because I forgot to drain the water out of it before winter. Well, the seam busted. Good excuse to get me a little MIG for around the house repairs.

Was set on the Hobart 115v at my local weld shop but ended up with a Norstar 115v. A littler cheaper but it has infinite heat selection unlike the Hobart with a 1-4 heat selection. Basically no fine tuning the heat. I got an Argon tank for it because, well Flux core stinks and I see welds rusting out a year later because the welds are dirty with flux. Anyhow, Sales guy said he is getting good reviews from guys in the field and sells a lot of them. My welding needs pop up maybe once a year if that. So this Chinese model "assembled and tested in USA" should do me just fine. BTW, apparently Hobart isn't all made in the USA either like they say??

 

[Ed of all trades]

Very few are ALL made in the US. Us it and have fun, I am dreaming of adding to my welder fleet. Got to get rid of some of the doubles first and then a small TIG for me. Ed

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

It's not assembled in USA unless they are putting the covers on here. It is from same factory as Eastwood, longevity and others.

 

[General Lee]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[aarolar]

What you planning on welding with Argon?

 

[gilraine]

my hobart 140 says made in USA on the door.

 

[General Lee]

What you planning on welding with Argon?

Um, Steel.....

 

[aarolar]

Um, Steel.....

Not with Argon unless your Tig welding, you need CO2 or CO2-Argon blend.

 

[General Lee]

Not with Argon unless your Tig welding, you need CO2 or CO2-Argon blend.

You can use strictly Argon, however depending on what you're welding it may not perform to one's liking ie; to cold of a bead, little penetration. It wouldn't be good for thick steel applications. Maybe better for sheet metal work.

I assume the bottle I have is an Argon blend. I always just say "Argon" when referring to the gas used with a MIG.

 

[aarolar]

Sounds good