I have a couple projects coming up that will likely require the use of a welder. I have welded before and was fairly good at it although It has been over 20 years since I last welded and that was in high school with an antique stick welder. After a look at the welders available on Amazon, the options are overwhelming and most come with several options that I have never tried. I plan to mostly be welding galvanized pipe so its a fairly thick material. Another need, the welder must be able to run off my 120v generator as I will likely be working in the field without access to a power outlet. So any tips, suggestions or thoughts are appreciated because I have no idea where to begin.
Welders
- Thread starter Oldcr
- Start date
I think if you give a company like airgas a call, some stores have demo welders you can try, maybe it is only at a demo day type thing not sure .
When it comes to welders it always seems like Miller and Lincoln make sturdy ones, right?
Lincoln Electric WELD-PAK 90i FC Flux-Cored Wire Feeder Welder (No Gas) K5255-1 - The Home Depot
Complete your cooking jobs perfectly with the assistance of this uniquely designed Lincoln Electric WELDPAK FluxCored Wire Feed Welder not with Regulator.
www.homedepot.com
i got this. its great for pissing around and learning
Make sure you're removing the zinc coating before welding and it will need some type of protection again for weather resistance. I'm not sure what your project is but galvanized is super annoying to work with. The fumes will make you sick if you don't do the proper prep work. It really depends on how thick the material is and how much you're going to use it.
I've got a Hobart 140 which is a basic MIG, flux or gas, 120V machine. I very rarely use it but it's there if I need it.
Good to know about the zinc coating, all things to learn. I plan to be welding outside so I hope that helps but I will look into the prep for sure.
I will definitely look into the lesser brands. This isn't something I will be using a ton so I doubt I go for an expensive unit.
We have a small Lincoln on our main service truck that works great but was fairly expensive. However I do know a few people that have had really good luck with the Titanium brand from Harbor Freight.
I can weld but am not good at it so I can’t give much more feedback than that.
I can weld but am not good at it so I can’t give much more feedback than that.
Harbor Freight is ******* awesome for stuff like this. If I'm not going true high end on tools, I'm going to Harbor Freight. A good portion of their stuff is as good or better than top brands, IMO.
We have several small welders, lots of good choices these days. If you want a forever machine that you invest in and can do stick/MIG/TIG, I'd go Lincoln Power MIG 215MPi https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en/Products/k4876-1 We have 3 or 4 of these as our do everything shop machines, have been great. Runs something like $2k, but you'll also need gas, cart, good helmet (don't skimp here).
For home and small stuff I've heard ok things on YesWelder, as well, but really recommend Prime Weld as a company that splits the difference between cheap import machines and expensive blue or red machines, plus they are known for their support. I bought the MIG180 recently (love it), but there are smaller and cheaper options--can't go wrong w/ them! https://primeweld.com/collections/mig-welders
I would also caution on welding galvanized--be careful! Will want to clean the coating off, wear a respirator, and be in a really well vented environment.
For home and small stuff I've heard ok things on YesWelder, as well, but really recommend Prime Weld as a company that splits the difference between cheap import machines and expensive blue or red machines, plus they are known for their support. I bought the MIG180 recently (love it), but there are smaller and cheaper options--can't go wrong w/ them! https://primeweld.com/collections/mig-welders
I would also caution on welding galvanized--be careful! Will want to clean the coating off, wear a respirator, and be in a really well vented environment.
Lincoln, Miller, maybe Esab if you want quality. Hobart used to be about the same guts as Miller but specific incremental voltage taps instead of an infinitely adjustable knob.
I have a Prime Weld plasma cutter that I haven't used much, but seemed like decent reviews and parts availability vs a lot of stuff. It's worked fine for what I have used it for. I don't specifically know anything about their welders. There are some welders sold on Amazon (Everlast maybe?) that in the past seemed like they might be serviceable.
I have an early Miller 211 that will do either 120 or 240v, flux core or gas shield. It's probably 15 years old and I've generally gotten along pretty well with it. Something in that range (of whatever brand) seems like a good compromise of capability and flexibility, but if you don't anticipate ever doing much very thick (or that you can deal with waiting for cooling to stay within duty cycle) a 120v only might be fine. I would try to get something capable of using gas... a lot more flexible than flux core-only machines IMO.
As already noted, do you homework re galvanized to keep yourself safe from fumes.
I have a Prime Weld plasma cutter that I haven't used much, but seemed like decent reviews and parts availability vs a lot of stuff. It's worked fine for what I have used it for. I don't specifically know anything about their welders. There are some welders sold on Amazon (Everlast maybe?) that in the past seemed like they might be serviceable.
I have an early Miller 211 that will do either 120 or 240v, flux core or gas shield. It's probably 15 years old and I've generally gotten along pretty well with it. Something in that range (of whatever brand) seems like a good compromise of capability and flexibility, but if you don't anticipate ever doing much very thick (or that you can deal with waiting for cooling to stay within duty cycle) a 120v only might be fine. I would try to get something capable of using gas... a lot more flexible than flux core-only machines IMO.
As already noted, do you homework re galvanized to keep yourself safe from fumes.
I would echo what many have said here. While I don't have a welder from them, I have a few other "Vevor" branded (chinese knockoff) tools, recommend and have actually had some great luck with support.
Also depending on what you are actually trying to weld, consider TIG vs MIG vs Stick.
Grind ALL of that zinc away if you value your health and quality of welds...
Also depending on what you are actually trying to weld, consider TIG vs MIG vs Stick.
Grind ALL of that zinc away if you value your health and quality of welds...
