What welder do you use?

[SupraLuda]

I'm looking at the Clarke 130EN gas/no gas MIG welder found here: http://www.autopn.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=195&idproduct=20015 , has a good warranty :)and is a few hundred less than Miller, Hobart, etc...never welding before, I'm not looking to spend my "left nut" on a nice MIG (or TIG) and think something of this type would be a very nice "beginner" tool. Oh yeah, I'm limited to 110v right now too. lolz

My 1st project is going to be a BSR, already have a 7hp Tecumseh motor and plans for tbe frame.

Patrick

[Mike Bean]

Hey SupraLuda,

I use a Lincoln Pro Mig 175. I looked at your link and that should do the job with flux core wire on 1/8" mild steel which is what I used for my frame.

I purchased a Lincoln because it is a well known brand. I am not failure with the model you are looking at. Just remember the welds are only as good as the person welding them.

I would recommend lots of test welds and destructive tests before attempting a production project. The last thing you want is you rear axle breaking off at 40 mph.

I also taught myself to weld. I setup many different weld types, read books and even got a welding video and now I an pretty comfortable and have confidence that my welds are strong.

Good luck and send us some pics when you get finished!

[rino]

I have a miller 210 mig with spool gun a 200a lincon buzz box anda lincon high freak add on box I mig most of my projectsscratch starttig stainless and high freak alluminum.

rino

[SupraLuda]

I'm sure to have update(s) now, soon, and often. lolz

I bought one last night on the infamous eBay. Its similar to my link below, but it came with a lot more stuff for $349. ;) Its a Clarke 130EN Gas/No gasunit with 10/2 warranty. Comes with the following:

Full Face helmet w/flip up shield

heavy duty cart

.023 mig wire

.035 fluxcore wire

2 guage regulator

extra contact tips

wire brush

hammer

video tape

instructions

Tweco torch w/full on/off safety control

[monkey-1]

I have a Millermatic 210. Its alot more machine than I really needed, but I am so glad that I got it. I also have a Campbell Hausfeld flux core machine and an old Lincoln stick welder.

[TJS]

I have a HTP MIG 240 and a new Miller Dynasty 200DX TIG machine. The new Miller Dynasty is awsome.

T.J.

[FatDog]

Millermatic 175

Esab 550 plasma

J.B. weld

[Mike Bean]

FatDog wrote: Millermatic 175

Esab 550 plasma

J.B. weld



Ahh.. the good ole' JB Weld. Until I learned how to weld I built my first bar stool with that stuff.

;)

mbean

[more speed]

lincoln power mig 255C so far, part of my frame has been tig welded.

i liek the 255C its on my to buy list wayyyyy in the back. 2k for one, so fro now ill use the one at welding school.

[docgreen9]

I'm using :

Lincolnn 185 TIG

http://content.lincolnelectric.com/graphics/products/catalog/00003384.jpg

Lincol Procut 25 Plasma cutter

http://content.lincolnelectric.com/graphics/products/catalog/00000461.jpg

Century (Lincoln) Power mig ( it's a little 120V model )

This is what I want for x-mas ( or before ) this year : Power mig 255C

http://content.lincolnelectric.com/graphics/products/catalog/00003711.jpg

[Bob Sigmon]

This is my welding setup -

http://www.fototime.com/AD6893350DD77A7/standard.jpg

A Dynasty 200DX with a Coolmate 3 and a Passport MIG

http://www.fototime.com/E0B7541EBF21B44/standard.jpg

and my O/A setup

Bob Sigmon

[motorman100]

i am using a hobart 125, i want to save up for a miller 175 though.

[elvergon]

oxy acetilene, oxy acetilene :D

[tharaw]

monkey wards stick welder

[RUBICON]

I started life with a gas rig when I was a kid...my dad taught me oxy/acetyline while I built a '23 model T roadster frame and suspension. My next was the famous Lincoln 225 "buzz box"....several utility trailers under my belt and 4 years of motorcycle wrenching to put myself thru school made me wish for a REAL machine. My dad did not live long enough to teach me to TIG....or I should say I did not get one soon enough.....but in a way he did teach me....I saw so much of his work...and TIG welding was his art....and most of all of you have seen his work also...and his welding....although not easily visible.....some of it is still on the moon.....some burned up when Skylab eventually fell out of orbit...and some came home...to what was called..." THE GOOD EARTH " by those who left its boundries....and yes....we can see his work today.....in the National Air and Space Museum....today I have a Miller 250 Syncrowave.....a Hornell Speedglas 9000XF hood ( with flamejob)...and finally....my dads "cheaters" ( bifocal lense inserts ) ...when I think about it...I think he still helps me from time to time....THANKS DAD!

[CJM]

I also have a snycrowave 250, a mm185 and a old lincon buzz box. I mainly work with aluminum. Sure would love to try a Dynasty out.

[RUBICON]

VERY MAJOR COOL RIG....love the carts...when working out West...Colorado / Texas...I developed an admiration for the custom pipeline welding truck rigs.....some had details and features that were out of this world....Good STUFF....THANKS

[josullivan]

I use the Lincoln ProMIG 135. I only use the flux cored wire because I don't have a bottle for the gas. It is a goal of mine to one day walk into a local gas supplier's store and purchase or even rent a small bottle of the welding gas. But, until that day comes, i'll continue to use the flux core wire. It is messy as hell, but gets the job done.

[bm1]

I have a Lincoln 300 TIG with water cooled torch, a Miller 200 MIG with a spool gun for aluminum, a Lincoln 175 square wave TIG with a pulse attachment that I use mostly for aluminum, a lincoln plasma cutter that will cut .075 material.

Some other equipment I have:

2- Model #2 Hossfeld tubing benders, 1 hyd. 1 manual w/dies from 5/8 to 2 1/2"
1- manual tube bender w/dies from 3/8" to 1" including dies for square tubing up to 1 1/4".
Bridgeport Mill
Clausing lathe
8ft Bead blast cabinet
10ft brake
6ft box brake
2 10ft frame fixtures
many many tools for metal forming.

I also build racing 4 cycle engines(mostly karts) and have a complete engine shop along with a Dyno.
I can usually do about anything I need to do except if I get into some real heavy projects.

[Mike Bean]

bm1,

You made me jelous. I do have a lot of tools, but none of the cool equipment you have like tube benders etc.

My only welders are a Lincoln Pro Mig 175 and 135. :mad: I need more stuff now after readin your post.

Mike Bean

[bm1]

I guess after doing this for 30+ years, you can aquire a lot of stuff. I am a true tool junkie. I enjoy what I do and always building something new. I've built everything from kart chassis to sprint cars to F-500 cars, and yes several Mini Choppers. I'll gather up some pics and post some of the projects I've done. I think I'm going to build a 2 seater stool(or would you call it a two-holer) with a little trailer from a beer keg.

[Mike Bean]

Hey bm1,

Can you give me some pointers on welding 1 5/8" round tubing mild steel with MIG? I have a roll bar to install in an outlaw car I and I am not sure of the correct techique to weld the tubing.

Thanks!

Mike

[moto1fast]

Hello, I have a miller stick welder and a Lincoln 225 stick and oxy/ace, 12 & 20 ton hyd press's, two delta band saws, looking to get a plasma cutter and mig/tig welder soon! :lush:

[moto1fast]

Hello, Can anyone tell me if 685.00 for a new Millermatic 175 is a good price? Thanks bsr buddies! :wave:

[bm1]

Here's something I thought I would pass along.

Today I was tacking up a stool, the phone rang and I removed my helment and dropped it on the floor. I answered the phone, came back and put my helment on and discovered that I had broken my $30.00 magnifier lens. I wear bi-focals and cannot weld with them. I thought this would be a good time to go to lunch and relax. While sitting in the resturant having some lunch, I noticed a woman(very attractive I might add) reading the news paper and using reading glasses.
AHHHA! That gave me an idea. I finished my lunch, ran next door to the Dollar store and bought a pair of reading glasses. I think they were 2:75 power. Only cost a buck. Went back to the shop and fired up the welder.......BINGO, I could see. So, a dollar pair of reading glasses are just as good as a $30.00 magnifier lens. All is well!

[Spaceman]

Ive also got a procut 25 its a great bit of kit ,my mig is a sealy 195 turbo

[TJS]

Update:
Sold the Miller dynasty 200 and got a miller dynasty 300DX machine. A truly awsome industrial machine.
T.J.
www.tjsperformance.com

[tqm3]

I have a Hobart 140 with gas, and a old Lincoln 225 buzz box...Wish I would have got a bigger wire feed but at the time (pre shop) no 220 on that side of the house.:cheers: I'm looking at the Clarke 130EN gas/no gas MIG welder found here: http://www.autopn.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=195&idproduct=20015 , has a good warranty :)and is a few hundred less than Miller, Hobart, etc...never welding before, I'm not looking to spend my "left nut" on a nice MIG (or TIG) and think something of this type would be a very nice "beginner" tool. Oh yeah, I'm limited to 110v right now too. lolz

My 1st project is going to be a BSR, already have a 7hp Tecumseh motor and plans for tbe frame.

Patrick

[tqm3]

I would call a two seater a "Crew Cab":cheers: I guess after doing this for 30+ years, you can aquire a lot of stuff. I am a true tool junkie. I enjoy what I do and always building something new. I've built everything from kart chassis to sprint cars to F-500 cars, and yes several Mini Choppers. I'll gather up some pics and post some of the projects I've done. I think I'm going to build a 2 seater stool(or would you call it a two-holer) with a little trailer from a beer keg.

[barstooldawg]

Hey Bm1 you have made sprintcars ay? what are the specifics of going about building a cage and a chassis for one? do you need TIG and i guess you use chrome moly tubing and you have to heat it up afterwards? im a BIG fan of speedway i have been going for 16 years :D

[farmer]

we have a millermatic 251 with the mini spool aluminum gun. i bought a small lincoln welder for our service truck. the little lincoln is especially sweet when i take the truck to my derbies.

[voodoo_stepchild]

Miller deltaweld 650 and 450 power source
Miller DW54-d dual gun feeder
Miller DVC-dw2 dual schedule unit
Tweco 600 amp air cooled guns
The cool thing about the dual feeders is one side is set up for steel and
the other side is set up for aluminum. Have to run two bottles and two
flowmeters but worth it with the time that you save if you have a large amount to weld. I have extra guns
with different size liners that you can change the drive rolls, swap guns,
your ready for stainless. If its just a quick little job I just use the tig.


Miller Synchrowave 350 TIG
Miller Goldstar 300 stick machine
Lincoln S.A. 250 Stick machine

[elvergon]

Damn voodoo wut are you missing in your shop??

I envy you :P

[voodoo_stepchild]

LOL a bunch I want LOL
But when you have a machine and welding shop and that waht you do for a living its different. Luckily for me every piece of equipment I buy returns the money in some point.

I need a new surface grinder and self feeding band saw but I just cant quite justify the expense yet. Wanna buy one for me for my birthday? LOL

Voodoo

[elvergon]

UPDATE:.....

bought a PROMIG 175

Nice machine. Haven´t tried it out on MIG yet. Using fluxcore now.

[fenters2005]

millermatic 130w/gas

[BFORTNER]

millermatic 175 w/gas in custom roller cabinet (pic to follow)
binford 6100 arc-o-matic arc welder....no really (pic to follow)

my father had this old lincoln arc welder just rotting in the front yard and one day i was sooooooo bored i decided to rebuild it and spice it up a bit and this was the time that the show "Home Improvement" was really going strong:thumb: .

[BFORTNER]

millermatic 175 w/gas in custom roller cabinet (pic to follow)
binford 6100 arc-o-matic arc welder....no really (pic to follow)
.

OK HERE IS THE BINFORD 6100 ARC-O-MATIC

[chris insull]

I'm using a MM-DVI, which operates off of 115 or 220V. Plenty of power for the hobbiest with the advantage of being somewhat portable to work in places where there is no 220 available. Recently purchased a Smith medium duty OxyAce unit. Designed and welded up the cylinder cart last week, just need to get the cylinders after the holidays...