Welder advice needed

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by JRouche

Hey Greg I have a Q. Sorry OP, not hyjacking, just a quicky. I have a few 25lb spools of 308 wire. I dont have a machine to use them with so I was gonna use the filler with TIG. I see you like helium with MIG welding SS wire. What do you think about me using the filler with my argon gas? I just hate having this much filler around and not being able to use it. I have a wire straightener project thats in the works to straighten the wire. Any thoughts? JR

Well... I usually have an answer for everything... But it seems to me that it's a lot of wire to straighten... 25 lb spool is a LOT of feet of wire. If it was me - I'd find someone that wants to buy it from you and just go out and get yourself some fill. I have a 25 lb spool of SS wire - I figure should last me the rest of my life... I just do a lot more TIG of SS than MIG... but you have to have it in "inventory" for those times when that's what you need. I kind of think that way.... I'm a "better to have it and not need it - than need it and not have it" kinda guy.

Somebody on here would surely trade you for the spool or buy the spool from you... maybe one of the shops... or maybe google the welding shops around you and see if they'd trade out?

BTW -- I just suck on the Helium tank...

[JRouche]

Originally Posted by GregWeld

Well... I usually have an answer for everything... But it seems to me that it's a lot of wire to straighten... 25 lb spool is a LOT of feet of wire. If it was me - I'd find someone that wants to buy it from you and just go out and get yourself some fill. I have a 25 lb spool of SS wire - I figure should last me the rest of my life... I just do a lot more TIG of SS than MIG... but you have to have it in "inventory" for those times when that's what you need. I kind of think that way.... I'm a "better to have it and not need it - than need it and not have it" kinda guy.

Somebody on here would surely trade you for the spool or buy the spool from you... maybe one of the shops... or maybe google the welding shops around you and see if they'd trade out?

BTW -- I just suck on the Helium tank...

Hahaa. Well, I got the stuff, three 25lb spools of it for a very good price at a swapmeet many years ago. I dont MIG weld with it. But I do TIG weld. So I made up all the parts for a wire straightener but have yet to assemble it. The idea was to have the spool mounted in a box with the straightener mounted to the box and just be able to strip off a two foot section of wire as needed. I was just trying to put the stuff to use. Here is a similar wire straightener, there are many variations to it. I was curious about the use of helium. Now I KNOW!! Ha.... JR

[GregWeld]

JR --

With 75 lbs of 308 -- you could go into the business of being a SUPPLIER! Can't even think about how many 2' sections that will make... but it's got to be a lifetime of SS TIG welding! WOW! Good thing the stuff doesn't rust.

Like the straightener!

[OOCustoms]

well back to the subject of mig welders haha,
I have a Miller 210 mig welder and it welds everything from sheet metal to heavy steel. I would recommend you stick to a 220 machine for the fact that when you need the power its there. When i weld i usually weld pretty hot so this machine works great for that. Plus it handles large spools so you never run out and it is designed to roll around with a large tank so its very mobile. Thats my two scents!

Marc

[Scott Hightower]

Back to the question of selecting a welder. MIG is the way to go for versatility and ease of use for a beginner. Both Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart offer great little machines that operate on 120 volt so you won't need to run any new power to your shop. These will have enough power to weld your roll cage with no problem.
-Hobart Handler 125
-Miller 140
-Lincoln V160

Speaking of the cage here are a few tips:
-purchase DOM tubing, standard tubing will tear at the seam in a crash.
-.088 tubing x 1 3/4 dia is adequate for most applications / .125 x 2" is the max you need for some sanctioning bodies.
-fit is key, buy an inexpensive notcher or notch the tubing with a grinder.

Scott
Welders360.com

[av8or32]

I LOVE my Hobart Handler 140!

[BigRatCamaro]

Hobart 185 and love it but going to buy a Lincoln 175 square wave tig next

[The WidowMaker]

another vote for a miller 210. i wish i had the 250 as the taps can get annoying, but it works great. i also picked up a dynasty 200 dx, but havent fired it up yet.

[GregWeld]

Originally Posted by The WidowMaker

another vote for a miller 210. i wish i had the 250 as the taps can get annoying, but it works great. i also picked up a dynasty 200 dx, but havent fired it up yet.

Love my Dynasty 200DX -- nice machine and is capable of handling what the average hot rodder is going to do with it.

I don't like the "stock" torch that comes with it - too big and stiff - but that is a "technique and touchy feely" kind of item. I have hand and foot controls - seem to ALWAYS use the foot control...

[JETSET700]

I picked up a Miller 211 after much looking. As a novice welder I stayed with MIG. The 211 does 110V or 220V and covers most needs. Most houses have
15A breakers for the majority of circuits and a 110V will overload the breaker
on the higher settings. You can't just change to a larger breaker because the wire run through the house is to small of a gauge for 20A service.

I had a guy put in more 20A 110V for welder, tools, compressor and 50A 220
V for welder. It has a cool plug that does both voltages.

Peter