Fabulous Fabrication Post all your custom fabrication projects here; impress all your friends.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Buying a welder

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-20-2015, 02:26 PM
  #181  
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
iTrader: (5)
 
aidandj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
Default

Originally Posted by thenuge26
I ended up getting the PowerPro 205s.

The Eastwood is a more simple machine, but it has the advantage of working on 110v (if you're doing light duty stuff) or 220v. The Everlast is 220v only, but has a bunch more features, like adjustable cleaning for AC, pulse, upslope and downslope control. The Everlast also has a 5 year warranty (why I chose it) vs 3 years for the Eastwood (also Miller and Lincoln are 3 years).

The PowerPro205 is more expensive, but I plan on getting a compressor at some point and I've heard good things about the plasma cutter part.
I don't need 110. I can use a cheap mig if I need that.

My budget is sub 1000. Because I still need gas and all that stuff.

750 would be ideal, hence the eastwood I linked.
aidandj is offline  
Old 05-20-2015, 02:39 PM
  #182  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
thenuge26's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 3,267
Total Cats: 239
Default

Looks like Roda likes his AHP, it's out of stock on Amazon though.
thenuge26 is offline  
Old 05-20-2015, 02:57 PM
  #183  
mkturbo.com
iTrader: (24)
 
shuiend's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Charleston SC
Posts: 15,177
Total Cats: 1,681
Default

Originally Posted by aidandj
I have a cheap eBay plasma cutter/tig welder that was around that price. It runs off 110v, at least that is what the stock plug is. I will check the exact model tonight. I should hook it up one of these days and give the TIG part a try to see how it compares to my Lincoln 175.

Honestly if you are not in a huge hurry then watch CL for a good tig welder. I bought my Lincoln 175 for about $900. It was used 4 times for stick welding only, came with an argon bottle, mask, welding stuff, and a cart.
shuiend is offline  
Old 05-21-2015, 04:12 PM
  #184  
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Seefo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,961
Total Cats: 48
Default

subbing here, looking at getting a tig/plasma combo or whatever.

I have never welded before...Anyone have a good source on beginner Tigging? also if I buy something like everlast 205s, what am I missing to start welding? Argon tank? what other consumables are required?
Seefo is offline  
Old 05-21-2015, 04:15 PM
  #185  
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Erat's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Posts: 5,677
Total Cats: 800
Default

<p>
Originally Posted by Seefo
subbing here, looking at getting a tig/plasma combo or whatever.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>I have never welded before...Anyone have a good source on beginner Tigging? also if I buy something like everlast 205s, what am I missing to start welding? Argon tank? what other consumables are required?
</p><p>Tungsten and filler.</p>
Erat is offline  
Old 05-21-2015, 04:26 PM
  #186  
Elite Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (2)
 
thenuge26's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 3,267
Total Cats: 239
Default

<p>Yep, I also bought a kit from amazon that had different gas lenses and cups (though the Everlast comes with a gas lense and 2 cups). &nbsp;I also needed to go to Menards and buy a dryer cable and a 220 outlet to make an adapter to plug it in to my dryer outlet. &nbsp;</p>
thenuge26 is offline  
Old 05-21-2015, 05:08 PM
  #187  
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
m2cupcar's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 7,486
Total Cats: 372
Default

Originally Posted by shuiend
I have a cheap eBay plasma cutter/tig welder...I should hook it up one of these days and give the TIG part a try to see how it compares to my Lincoln 175.
Please do- and post up the results compared to a "real" TIG machine. I searched youtube/google for some comments on TIG'ing with these and there's nothing but reference to cutting with them.
m2cupcar is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 01:53 PM
  #188  
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Seefo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,961
Total Cats: 48
Default

So anyone have some insight into the AC tig welding? I know its mostly for aluminum, but looking at the price difference between the 165 and 205s, is the adjustability worth it? I do plan to do some aluminum welding and would rather not close (or severely limit) that option.
Seefo is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 01:55 PM
  #189  
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
iTrader: (5)
 
aidandj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
Default

<p>AC is necessary for aluminum welding from what I know.</p>
aidandj is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 02:02 PM
  #190  
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Seefo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,961
Total Cats: 48
Default

Originally Posted by aidandj
<p>AC is necessary for TIG welding from what I know.</p>
Not really, AC is really only used for Aluminum. It maybe the close association of TIG/Aluminum that makes it seem like that. Everlast offers DC only tig welders btw.
Seefo is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 02:03 PM
  #191  
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
iTrader: (5)
 
aidandj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
Default

<p>Damn it thats what I meant. AC is required to TIG aluminum.</p>
aidandj is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 05:47 PM
  #192  
Elite Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Leafy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: NH
Posts: 9,479
Total Cats: 104
Default

Originally Posted by Seefo
Not really, AC is really only used for Aluminum. It maybe the close association of TIG/Aluminum that makes it seem like that. Everlast offers DC only tig welders btw.
lincoln also has DC only tigs. I dont see the point for a hobby scale tig to not have AC. It would totally make sense for an industrial scale machine that'll go in a shop that only does steel and/or stainless.
Leafy is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 08:28 PM
  #193  
Senior Member
 
Roda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 1,195
Total Cats: 294
Default

Originally Posted by Leafy
I dont see the point for a hobby scale tig to not have AC. It would totally make sense for an industrial scale machine that'll go in a shop that only does steel and/or stainless.
This.

For a motorsport hobbyist it really doesn't make sense not to have AC.

For an update, my AHP Tig is still going strong. I've used it for a few projects here and there, mostly steel. Still practicing on AL when I have time and materials, still need more practice, LOL.

I would avoid combination units. All my research pointed to combo units not being as good as standalone welders or plasmas.
Roda is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 09:15 PM
  #194  
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
iTrader: (5)
 
aidandj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
Default

<p>Yeah I think I'm pretty set on this eastwood:&nbsphttp://;http://www.eastwood.com/tig-...dc-welder.html</p>
aidandj is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 09:46 PM
  #195  
Senior Member
 
Roda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 1,195
Total Cats: 294
Default

Originally Posted by aidandj
<p>Yeah I think I'm pretty set on this eastwood:&nbsphttp://;http://www.eastwood.com/tig-...dc-welder.html</p>
$50 more gets you adjustable AC frequency and pulse in the AHP:
2015 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110v 200v - - Amazon.com 2015 AHP AlphaTIG 200X 200 Amp IGBT AC DC Tig/Stick Welder with PULSE 110v 200v - - Amazon.com
Roda is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 09:54 PM
  #196  
Senior Member
iTrader: (4)
 
2manyhobyz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Crest Hill, IL
Posts: 742
Total Cats: 42
Default

^ This. I just ordered one. It will take a few weeks to get here tho. After using an Eastwood for 4 years I reached its limits pretty quick. I'm looking forward to the adjust ability that this unit has.
2manyhobyz is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 10:07 PM
  #197  
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
iTrader: (5)
 
aidandj's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
Default

<p>Damn, now thats my new favorite.</p>
aidandj is offline  
Old 05-27-2015, 11:12 PM
  #198  
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
 
yank's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 661
Total Cats: 32
Default

My 211 autoset mig has served me well until i got in the big kid game. If i loose my shop access i'll be dropping coin on a used Miller Dynasty 200 more than likely. I've used one in the past and it does very well. pricey though..
yank is offline  
Old 06-16-2015, 10:04 AM
  #199  
Elite Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Seefo's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Raleigh, NC
Posts: 1,961
Total Cats: 48
Default

Bought a 200DX or DV as its called now.

Looking at consumables. So I understand larger tungsten means more amps before it breaks, but larger weld pool?

From reading online I should be using 2% thoriated for steel and 2% lanthinated for AC welding and Aluminum.

Is it common to have multiple sizes for both? also a few people said they just have the lanthinated type and use it for everything (and vice versa with the thoriated).
Seefo is offline  
Old 06-16-2015, 10:20 AM
  #200  
Senior Member
 
Roda's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Sierra Vista, AZ
Posts: 1,195
Total Cats: 294
Default

I'm using Thoriated and Lanthanated as noted above, in 1/16, 3/32, and 1/8, depending on the thickness of the material.

You'll also want a gas lens kit, probably stubby, for better maneuverability...

Stubby Gas Lens Kit , Metal Welding, Welder Supplies, Accessories for Welding | USAWeld.com
Roda is offline  


Quick Reply: Buying a welder



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:10 PM.