THSCC Forums

I think it's time to buy a welder. Anyone have a recommendation? I'd love to hear about any good clearance deals. I'm not even sure what I need, but I only need one for light use -- exhaust hangers, minor trailer repair, etc. I have access to 240V 50A so power isn't an issue. I'm clueless about gas versus flux core, but I'd guess I want something that does both.

Also looking for a good value on an air impact wrench. I'm using something I got from Northern for $100 or so. But it doesn't seem to live up to it's 300 ft-lb rating. I think once I used Mark V's impact which I think was an Earthquake from HF. Worked great. Any recommendations?

Thanks!

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Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

My old roommate has an impact wrench from Home Depot (husky) and it's lasted him several years and he seems pretty happy with it. He's a full time mechanic so, it's seen some abuse.

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www.ncvw.org
1993 VW Corrado VR6 - DSP15 (RIP)
1986 MB 190E 2.3L 16v - STX (SOLD)
1997 BMW M3 3.2L - BS for now

Mike,

Here is my thread about "learning to weld" that has some good recommendations on welders, gas, etc....

http://www.thsccforums.com/viewtopic.php?t=3541

Short answer...

Buy the following...

Mig
220v
Name brand (Lincoln, Miller, etc. and not HF)
Get one that either comes with gas kit or can be converted.
Flux core sucks (messy), but it is cheap to play with.

Don't ask about the welding class I was going to set up. I still intend to do this, but have been so swamped with stuff that I haven't spent any time on making this happen since before Christmas. Even then, I probably had more people wanting to take the class than we could handle.

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Richard Casto
1972 Porsche 914
2013 Honda Fit Sport
2015 Honda Fit EX
http://motorsport.zyyz.com
Money can't buy happiness, but somehow it's more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than a Kia.

I have a new-in-box Campbell Hausfeld at home. I can check the ratings on it for you if you are interested.

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Rich
http://www.v8mongrel.com/

Sears # 00919905000

It is a rebadged Ingersoll Rand without the IR pricetag. Pricier than the Harbor Freight (I considered it but when I went to the store to look at it, I couldn't justify not spending the extra money on the Sears) but well worth it, IMHO. My friend and I have the same model and we've removed countless heavily torqued and Loctited Mazda flywheel nuts with them. You may have to crank up the air pressure above 90 psi (yeah, yeah, not recommended "by the book") to get maximum torque, though.

FWIW, I got a Husky with my air compressor and it died in about a month of light usage. Trigger is stuck in the on position. I hate it when my tools break when I need them.

Agree with Richard on the welder. You may also want to consider ThermalArc/Thermal Dynamics for the welder. That's the one I got and once I figured out the controls on it, it is awesome bang for the buck compared to a comparable Miller.

--Ashraf

You answered your own question didn't you? The HF "Earthquake" is a very good value at $80, much better than the IR one I bought for $150. I don't know if it would stand up to daily professional mechanic use, but I've had mine a couple years now and its still going strong.

Lowes carries IR guns, cheaper than about anywhere. I went through 3 'mid' price guns before I ponyed up and got a real gun. It is well worth getting a good one.

And when looking at guns always look at the reverse torque ratings. Forward ratings are pretty pointless, as you shouldn't be using a gun to torque things down in the first place, . Also be aware if your compressor can[t supply the guns CFM rating constantly it will never meet those power ratings.

As for a welder, the flux is messy but quick a dn dirty to get things done. If you want to weld alu or stainless you will need MIG or one that can be converted to run with gas

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91 Jetta GLI STS/DSP 111
85 Porsche 944 ASP 11
http://www.blackforestindustries.com

The Earthquake was good enough to remove "Installed in Hiroshima in 1994" suspension bolts 115K ago.

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Has no responsibility whatsoever.

I bought my MIG welder, Hobart 135 (115V) from NT for <500.00. Hobart is the big box store brand by Miller. It is the heaviest 115V, comes with everything needed for gas except the tank, is luggable if you disconnect the tank (mine is sitting in the corner of the kitchen waiting for the garage to be finished, I leave the gas tank on the back porch and carry it outside to use it.) It has handled everthing I have asked it to do so far on our hot rod/tow vehicle from sheet metal to 1/4". Had I had 220 available at the time I probably would have stepped up to their 175A model which would have handled up to 1/2" stock. You definitely want to use shielding gas, so don't even bother with one that doesn't have it or needs an add on kit. Make sure any you buy can accept std 8" wire spools, not just the small ones, can handle wire .025-.030 minimum, and has tips readily available (the Hobart gun accepts Lincoln tips so they are available at the DIY stores). If you plan to weld aluminum, you'll want to invest in a spool gun.
Even more important than the welder is to get yourself a quality self darkening helmet! Make sure it has a reaction time of a millisec or faster.

Oh yah, fluxcore is for emergencies where you can't use gas or quick and dirty work. It's really nothing more than self feeding stick welding, spatters, needs flux chipped, no good for sheet metal. Only advantages is it's cheap and gives a little more penetration at the same power.
MIG is very easy to learn, you can be making satisfactory welds after a couple hours of practice with just basic instruction.
If you'd like PM me and we can talk about setting up a welding bench, what accessories you'll want and I can come over and get you started if you'd like, I'd like to see your lift anyhow.

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SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.

Thought I'd give an update.

I cross-shopped the cheapie HF anf Northern brands, Hobart, and Lincoln. The popularity of the Lincoln models seemed to be a good thing, for potential future parts and service.

Was going to just pick up the 115v 135a Lincoln from Home Depot for $459, but I was tempted by the 230v 175a one for $599. A little online searching and I found the 230v WELD-PAK 175 for $479 + $50 shipping, no tax. It will be here tomorrow!


http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalo ... asp?p=9631

Lincoln seems to have a dozen part numbers for essentially the same unit, just packaged a little differently and sold at different stores. I believe the Weld-Pak is the Home Depot brand, while the PRO-MIG is the Lowes brand, and the 175t is the weld shop model. Everything else seems to be the same. There is a 175+ which costs more and has variable voltage control, versus the home store units which have a 5 or 6 tap power setting.

_________________
Mike Whitney
whit32@gmail.com, 919-454-5445
V10, V8, V8t, I6, I6, V6, F4t, I4, I4, I4, I4, I2, 1, 1

Now run out (or order online) and get a good self darkening helmet. Make sure it has a quick enough response time (<1msec for MIG I think, but check the Lincoln site for more info on safe specs) If the response time is not listed and/or the total darkening is not adjustable pass and move on to a better one. Save the flip up helmet for spectators, the difference in trying to learn to weld with it vs a self darkening is like trying to drive a race car one handed, it can be done but why would you want to?
Get a large tank of ArCO2 unless you plan to do a lot of SS and/or Al welding. I'd also highly recommend ordering a spool or two of ESAB "easy grind" wire. National Welding on Capital can order it for you once you convince them it is different from any of the "numbered" wires (if they give you static about it let me know, I can help make sure you get the genuine stuff, it's worth the small hassle IMHO). Get .025 if most of your welding will be 1/8" or thinner. .030 if you'll be doing mostly 3/32"+ (Unless you're building trailer hitches most of your automotive welding is likely to be < 1/8") or a spool of each. Make sure you have the matching tips for the size wire you'll be using, most welders only come with the .030 tip. A pair of medium size needlenose pliers with built in wire cutters are a must have tool you'll be reaching for constantly.
I also highly recommend you set up a welding bench.
Let me know if you'd like some help getting started.
I still need to talk to you about the lift!

_________________
SPIN or WIN!
there's no glory for going slow.