Calling all welders

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vegassmokeout

Meat Mopper
Original poster
Jul 18, 2011
207
10
Las Vegas
Auto shop was a long time ago and I want to buy a welder so that I can start making smokers but don't know what type to start with?  Does anyone have any suggestions.  Keep in mind that money is tight and don't want another piece of equipment sitting in the garage that doesn't do what I need or is so expensive and I lose interest in it.  Just looking for type.  Wire, stick or bottle???  Thanks.
 
Probably the first place to start is a local tech school and learn to weld. Let the instructor know what your plans are and he can lead you down the right path.
 
VSO

How heavy of metal are you planing to weld? you can get a 110v MIG welder at Home Depot pretty cheap nows a days, you might even beable to rent one at Aherns too, they did not have them when I worked there but that was in the 70's. You do not have to use gas on a wire feed if you use flux core wire as long as you dont care what the welds looks like. If my garage was cleaned out I would say you could come by and use mine but right now I have no room to do any thing.

Casey
 
I'm not a welder but have seen some at Harbor Freight pretty cheap. By the way if you need drums there's a place in North Las Vegas. 
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http://stores.ebay.com/The-Barrel-Company
 
I would highly recommend a 230v hobart 187 with gas pkg..... I would stay away from a 110v unit though they are convenient and I would definatley stay away from harborfreight welders..

.http://www.bing.com/shopping/hobart...FEA8243?q=hobart+187&lpq=hobart 187&FORM=HURE  

Joe
Joe's right, Harbor Freight welders are marginal at best.  You also have to think about consumables, wire, tips and so on.

I own a Miller 250 and absolutely love the thing.  I can easily weld 3/8" steel in a single pass, and also have a "Spool Gun" for aluminum and stainless steel.

You could get by with a smaller unit, but you have to check the "Duty Cycle".  If it's limited to a 20% Duty Cycly, you can only use it for 2 minutes out of 10 minutes, and then need to let it cool down.  My Miller 250 has an 80% Duty Cycle.

Hobart are made by Miller and work well.  Good value for the $$$

Figure out what thickness you will weld and go from there.  If you get too small a welder, it will be working hard all the time.

When I was looking for a welder, I scanned Craigslist for a month, but they wanted almost the same money as new.  I landed on a great deal from a local welding supply store and they threw in some extra wire and plenty of tips.

Make sure you budget for a good helmet.  Since this is the only protection for your eyes, get a good one!!

Buy a 220v welder and stay clear of the 110v models.  You'll need the extra power!

Just My $.02

Todd
 
 
Hi VSO i employ welders and i got few welders at my shop .the question is what are your plans to do .if it is for home use don't buy an MiG welder you need gas or you need to use flux wire and it is expansive.

you can buy a good MMA Electrode welding  it is important to get an    Inverter Technology it is easy on your home electricity    and you can use it fix everything     at home  build smokers  and it easy to use usee to fix anting is easy   i  yy   

if your plans more industrial or lots of smokers then go for a good MiG welder with gas .with the MiG you will have to go to a training school.

hope it will help you.
 
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I agree with TJ. You need a 220V unit or you will not be happy. I have a Hobart handler that works great for everything I throw at it.
 
I have a Lincoln Stick Welder and a Miller 250 Mig.

Both have their use in my shop.

Like many guys, I learned how to weld in Shop Class.  For years, I only had a stick welder, and had to have someone else weld stainless and aluminum for me.  Now with my Miller Mig and different bottles of gas and different wire, I can weld most things myself.

Hobart had a great deal that included a Spool Gun.  I have a spool gun for my Miller 250 w/20'cable, and it's awesome.  I don't have to keep moving my welder or work around, to reach everything.  For steel welding, I use the regular gun.

Miller and Hobart both make a reasonably priced portable welder that will weld up to 1/4" place in a single pass.  Lincoln is another great welder.  You can go with flux core wire and not have to deal with gas.  The welds are good, just not as clean as when using a shielding gas. 

There's a learning curve with using a Stick or Mig Welder.  Once I got my Miller Mig Welder, I only use my Lincoln Stick Welder if the steel is rusty and I want a quick weld without a lot of clean up.

Northern Tool stocks them

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/category_welding+wirefeed-welding+wirefeed-welders

If you're looking for a cheapie, check out the Clarke Welders.  They are not as well made as a Hobart or Miller, but guys I know who have them, say they work good enough for them. 

Remember, if you're looking for a production welder, you're not gonna get it with a "Hobby Welder".  They're just not built to stand up to the continuous work.

Good Luck!

Todd
 
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Keep checking Craigslist and eBay. When searching eBay, go to advanced search and you can search for a certain proximity from your zip code. Welders are heavy and expensive to ship. Not to mention, most eBay sellers don't want to deal with shipping something that heavy. You can find some great deals that way.

For smokers and grills, you don't have to worry about too much "precision" welding so a mig welder may be your best bet. They are user friendly, easy to put down a nice (strong) bead, and consumables aren't that expensive. Wire can be found fairly cheap if you're smart about it. I would definitely go with a gas mig set-up. Flux core works, and may be a necessity if welding outside with wind, but the welds will look like you are attempting to replicate chicken poo and you'll probably get frustrated. 220V is the way to go. 110V units can make very pretty welds, but with thicker metal and inexperienced welder (I am by no means an expert) you may as well use super glue. (Yes it's an exaggeration but the welds won't be structurally sound)

Just a quick search and found a Millermatic 185 for $500 around here. (FL)

Also, unfortunately due to the economy, people are trying to unload and sell tools they don't "NEED" right now.

Hope this helps.
 
VSO

How heavy of metal are you planing to weld? you can get a 110v MIG welder at Home Depot pretty cheap nows a days, you might even beable to rent one at Aherns too, they did not have them when I worked there but that was in the 70's. You do not have to use gas on a wire feed if you use flux core wire as long as you dont care what the welds looks like. If my garage was cleaned out I would say you could come by and use mine but right now I have no room to do any thing.

Casey
Thanks Casey.  I thought I was the only one with that problem. 

E

 
 
Thanks everyone for the info.  It was very helpful.  Just have to find one and talk the wife in to it.  Much Thanks.

E
 
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