Smoker build Welder under $500??

[hardcookin]

There is a youtube video comparing the Lincoln to the Harbor Freight, side by side there was very little difference except for the $400 extra the Lincoln would cost

The duty cycle on the Harbor Freight welders isn't very good. Your better off with a Miller or Lincoln.
Myself I have a Hobart 140 which is handy for light welding. For heavy welding I have freinds who weld for a living.

 

[brnhornt]

I just went thru this myself.  I started with the Harbor Freight 110V flux core welder.  It definitely wasn't up to snuff.  I just wasn't getting the penetration needed for the job.  I bit the bullet and returned that, spent another 100 bucks and upgraded to the 240V DC stick welder.  A few parts from Lowes and I built an extension cord to run off my dryer's 220 line.  I'm running a little over 100 amps all day long and have never popped the breaker.  Plus I like the fact there are no moving parts.  We know that HF isn't built for heavy use or long life...so the less crap to break...the better in my mind :)  Took me a while to get the hang of stick welding.  I'd never done it before, and am still pretty bad at it...but even my ugly welds would take a big a$! hammer to break apart so I'm happy with it.  Hope that helps!

 

[kam59]

This is a good choice.

 

[jmdribs]

Hey travisty,

In general when buying a welder you want to get the biggest you can afford. Having the extra power can really come in handy in future projects.

Building a UDS smoker can be done with just about any welder (flux-cored included) simply because there is not a whole lot of welding required and the steel you're working with is really thin. So I wouldn't focus on that application too much.

You did mention you currently have a 100 gallon rig and maybe building more in the future. You also mentioned you want the ability to use 115v or 230V. I would highly recommend you take a look at the Hobart Handler 210 MVP. It's a dual voltage machine (115v and 230v) which would fit your needs nicely. It is rated for 3/8 inch steel which perfect for medium sized offsets like your 100 gallon build. It is about $800 which is over your budget, but I really think it would be worth spending the extra few hundred bucks.

I would definitely recommend a MIG welder over flux-cored. The welds are better and it will save you a ton of time not having to clean your welds. Not to mention most cheap flux-cored only welders are rated at about 1/8 inch anyways which is too small for your needs.

In general, I would stay away from cheap off-brand Chinese welders you find on Ebay/Amazon. The extra few buck you will save is not worth the headache those machines can be. You'll be kicking yourself later if you buy one. Hobart is a good reliable brand with a reliable warranty. Miller and Lincoln are also great, but expect to pay more. Hobart is your best value for your dollar.

Also read this, it may help you as well https://fabricationguy.com/best-welder-for-smoker/

Good luck man!

 

[Berettaclayshooter]

Ok first things first: what people are talking about is SELF sheilded flux core wire which is junk. It will stick stuff together, but doesn't work well. There are 110v inverter machines which will give you 150amps either with tig or stick, but they are around $1,000. If you have zero welding experience I would suggest that you get a mig welder as it's much easier to learn than stick welding. You will need shielding gas 75%argon/25% CO2 for steel. If there is a local weld shop, maybe hit them up and ask if you could have some steel scrap to practice welding as steel is $.02 a Lb. in scrap price. You could use a grinder with cutoff wheels to do your cutting, but they get expensive for the amount you would use to build a whole cooker. A oxy-fuel torch will do well and you can get a small one for not a whole lot. A plasma is nice, but they are expensive.

 

[gorgrick]

All in all when purchasing a welder you need to get the greatest you can bear. Having the additional force can truly prove to be useful in future tasks.

Building a UDS smoker should be possible with pretty much any welder (motion cored included) just in light of the fact that there is certifiably not a ton of welding required and the steel you're working with is truly dainty. So I wouldn't zero in on that application to an extreme.

You referenced you at present have a 100 gallon rig and perhaps constructing more later on. You additionally referenced you need the capacity to utilize 115v or 230V. I would strongly suggest you investigate the Hobart Handler 210 MVP. It's a double voltage machine (115v and 230v) which would meet your requirements pleasantly. It is appraised for 3/8 inch steel which ideal for medium estimated balances like your 100 gallon construct. It is about $800 which is over your financial plan, yet I truly figure it would merit spending the additional couple of hundred bucks.

I would suggest a MIG welder over transition cored. The welds are better and it will spare you a huge amount of time not cleaning your welds. Also most modest motion cored just welders are appraised at around 1/8 inch in any case which is excessively little for your necessities.

Also read this, it may help you as well :https://plasmacuttershub.com/

 

[Berettaclayshooter]

Stay away from flux core wire.

You will end up with splatter and birdshit welds.

take a few welding classes.

I think what you mean to say is to stay away from self-shielded flux-cored wire ( no gas) that stuff is JUNK, flux-cored wire meant to be used with shielding gas will allow you to weld thicker and slightly dirty material (kinda like ER7018 stick rod).