Welder Gift to Me. :)

[Scrounger]

I'm getting ready to buy a welder to basically play around with until I can develope enough skill to actually repair/make something. I was on the Licoln Electric site and the choices are amazing. Whats the easiest to weld with TIG MIG ARC. We have a community college that teaches welding and I plan to take a class with a buddy for fun.

I know we have some experts around, what's best to buy that can do the most and still be easier to use.

 

[bobodu]

My best welding is done with the MIG ( no TIG experience...sigh).
The stick is the best and cheapest all around welder.No gas to run out of nor will the wind blow it away.Almost infinate variety of stick choices available.Once you get the hang of the stick...MIG is a breeze.I might add that my stick work still looks like a dog's butt...

 

[Defective]

I started with a torch and still find it the easiest to control.

On the other hand, my beat-up old Thunderbolt 225 will weld up the crack of dawn with a 6013 rod and a steady hand.

Starting out with the torch gives you a better understanding of the process.

 

[aardvark]

A MIG is easiest to learn on. I wouldn't recommend a TIG if you have never welded, a MIG would be best. I actually started off with oxy-acetylene, and then bought a MIG. And then I bought a TIG. Acetylene is the hardest I think, if you can weld acetylene, you can pretty much weld anything. I'd look at the MIG's in the 135-175 amp range if you are just starting. A SP135 Plus is a nice machine that runs on 110v wall power. A SP175 Plus is a 220v machine. Miller makes competitive models for either of the Lincoln macihnes. I have a Lincoln SP100 that I bought around 1992, which was the predecessor (grandfather?) to the SP135 Plus. I also have a Lincoln Square Wave 175 Pro, which is a nice TIG. If I were to buy a new welder now, I'd probably buy a big machine, something like a PowerMIG 300 (or Miller equivalent), which can be used as a multi process machine. Granted, my 135 amp MIG and oxy-acetylene torch got me through 10 years of fabrication, before I bought the TIG in 2002. Regardless of what you buy, it will be a handy tool in the long run.

 

[rswyan]

I started within the last 6 months with MIG, by observing a friend who's a welder, welding with my equipment and having him teach me the basics. Plus a little reading and study. If the local vo-tech schools prices weren't so high for continuing ed ($800) I'd take a class.

One of things my friend said before I started was that the basics of MIG is relatively easy to pick up - that it can be done in a half an hour or so. And I found that to be true - for me it was pretty easy (my friend was impressed apparently) Having said that, I think that to be really good - ie. a professional - would certainly require way, way more in terms of study, understanding of the theory, and lots of practice actually doing it.

I'm not as consistent as I'd like to be. One of the biggest things in terms of getting a good result for me is getting in a comfortable position and remembering to breathe once I pull the trigger. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

The things about MIG that I like are that it's fast and fairly clean (low spatter, low fumes)

I went with a Lincoln PowerMIG 215, it has worked good so far. Thickest thing i have welded thus far has been a 3/4" wedge on the logsplitter I'm building - time will tell how well I did /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

I'd suggest that you scope out the Hobart Forum - it's a great resource and all flavors are welcome:

Hobart Weld Talk Message Boards

 

[PineRidge]

Rswyan any time you feel up to giving a few lessons on the MIG PM me, I would love to see your machine in action. Sticking metal together so that it stays put has always fascinated me. Besides maybe we could trade a few tractor stories at the same time.

 

[rswyan]

Mike,

I sent you a PM. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[1962]

yea, i would stay away from tig for now. mig is the easiest, stick is not as easy as mig, but alot of beginners start on stick. since your going to take classes, try and get a machine that as your skills improve, your machine will keep up.. 110 volt migs are ok with smaller projects or occasional repairs.. you can do any thick steel with them. any top brand(miller,hobart, or lincoln) machine 220 volt is a great start, and down the road you wont be under machined.. the final choice is yours,stick or mig. the mig machine will cost more also.. i personally use stick for almost everything, oxyacetylene for special pieces. tig is alot like welding with oxyacetylene and requires more skill and practice to master..