welder question

I'm searching CL for a decent welder for as cheap as possible...

Those of you that are smart on the subject... what do you think about this one?

Miller Trailblazer 250G welder/generator

OR do any of you have one sitting around collecting dust that you would be willing to let go for cheap?

 

nevermind....that's a stick welder... I'm looking for MIG

 

Stick welders work just fine, however they are much harder to master than a MIG. Good MIGs are hard to find cheap.

 

Yeah, that's why I want to go with MIG

I picked up a cheapo HF 90amp/110v welder awhile ago, but only tried it out twice. I can weld on thick stuff. It's not purty, but I can do ok. I want to be able to weld sheet metal though. Some might be able to do it, but I failed horribly. I was told that if I get something a little nice that I can use gas with I'll be MUCH more successful.

I just want to try and keep it between $300-$400

 

just wondering.. what did you pay for this cheapo weleder...?

 

I think right around $90. I just sold it the other weekend at our yard sale for $40. I ended up picking up a Lincoln Pro Mig 140 used with cart and bottle of gas for $350 off of CL about 6 months ago. I haven't used it yet though.... hahahaha I don't know what I'm waiting for

 

DAMN YOU!!! I would have bought it. lol I wanna learn to weld...

 

it was crap. HF has them on sale all the time and I get 20% off coupons in just about all of my magazines. If you want to weld anything feel free to come by and try with mine. I need to learn too.

 

Hmm I may have to consider you offer.

 

just give me a heads up, so I can clear some space in the garage

 

If you want to learn to weld, I would suggest taking a class at a community college, so you can practice on something before taking on your project.

 

hi,its a good thing being able to weld,i have had a good stick welder now for about 10 years and the money you save is incredible.i re-stumped my house and did all my own posts,occasionnally a friend might need you to repair something,free beer,i will admit though i was lucky at work to have had access to boiler makers and fitter/turners who were happy to give me advice and lessons. Selecting the right amps,being able to read the way the metal is flowing,metal preperation,correct rods for the job etc are things you will need to get at least a basic understanding off,if you are going to weld frames etc you want to have confidence that it will not fall to bits if you hit a pothole. Everybody seems to say get a mig,but as a previous person said get a good one and they cost, i dont know what the costs are in america but you will need a helmet,good gloves, angle grinder/grinders,good paint,but you can make your own chipping hammer LOL.There is a bit of theory you will need to know and the way i learn things a book would have been of little use to me ,i needed to be shown ,so maybe investing in a basic welding course would be worth its weight in gold..i almost forgot,welding flash,thats another story.

 

My Dad was a welder for over 30 years and we had a stick welder in the garage when I was growing up, but somehow he never taught me He DID just give me a welding shirt, gloves, and a $300 hood he didn't need anymore though.

Now just need to learn.

I figured I'd dick around with some scrap in the garage and if it's a losing battle I'll take a course at FTCC here in Fayetteville. It's only like $125ish. I checked into it about a year ago.

 

Just a word of advice with lower end welders, you will get what you pay for.

If you can spend a bit more for a Hobart (made by Miller) and or find a used Miller, Hobart or Lincoln (last choice). You will have better support and parts will be easier to come by. Not to mention the quality of the welder will be noticeable.

I do plenty of Mig and Stick for fabrications, and would easily suggest a Hobart Handler with a 60-80cu C25 as a perfect home starter kit. Excellent for tin work and frame, and still enough for 1/4" multiple pass welding for automotive if needed.

Get the right protective gear and always have a fire extinguisher nearby.
Hit up a scrap yard for some metal and practice away.

 

When you first start to learn to weld, don't try to weld things together, just work on laying down a nice uniform bead. Get used to the sound and the feel of it. Learn to use your "night" vision while wearing the mask. Get some light on your work. Learn how to push the puddle around. See how quickly you can blow a hole thru the metal. Then see what it takes to fill that hole back in. Practice !

 

great advice, nothin like blowin a hole in your metal then repairing it, a skill you aquire, when i first started out it was so frustrating when you burnt a hole,after a while you stopped it from happening 95% of the time but when it did , who cares , you can fix it..