What type of welder?

[oscaryu1]

Budget = $70...

Need to create a roll cage for me go kart... And JB Weld can't help here :sifone:

What type of welder should I be looking at? How many amps do I need?

[jr dragster Tyler]

Keep saving! 70 dollars wont get you much...I know I know there are a few people here that got a GOOD deal at a garage sale but you get what you pay for. About amps Im not sure about the wall of the materel but I would say minumum 90 amps for MIG

[ironman]

70 amp stick welder works good walmart or H.F. around 100.00 when they are on sale should do you.but 90 amp even better.my mig sucks so i enjoy using my stick welder more.always good to spend a good amount on a mig if you are going to buy one.

[oscaryu1]

Yea, I read on a guide when I was 10 or so (2005) to make a go kart. Read across that 100+ amps is great, but 90 would do fine, although it takes a bit more patience.

How are electric compared to gas?

[ironman]

gas is always better but when you dont have the money to spend than you use what you got had a craftman mig gas welder just never had any luck with it. but im by far a good welder i just know a little bit compare to some of the old dogs on here

[oscaryu1]

What would you recommend?

Stick welder, ARC welder, or MIG? I'ma eBay them out later.

[ineed2fly]

I have a cambell hausfeld wirefeed arc and it cost $210. Good hobby welder, has 70 and 90 amp settings and runs off 120 15 amp line.

I like it and it works.

[oscaryu1]

Which would you recommend for the welder? MIG? ARC? Thanks!

[oscaryu1]

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-MegaPower-XP100-Amp-Arc-Welder-Welding-Kit-Stick-NR_W0QQitemZ330219887138QQihZ014QQcategoryZ113743Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Can I weld anything I want with that ^? Thanks!

[kibble]

You can weld anything YOU want with that, now, WILL it weld anything you want? No. You can use that for some light welding. My friend has a welder very similar to that where it'll run off of 110 but it just doesn't have the power to weld very deep and it's a struggle to get the thing going. After a pass there's usually more flux left over than there is metal.

[oscaryu1]

$100.. What can I get?

[robertdjung]

right -- don't buy a cheap mig. those HF migs are junk. Get a stick instead if you have a low budget.

[kibble]

I have a HF mig.... :(

I haven't really had problems with it though.

[jr dragster Tyler]

Well if its a HOBBART its realy good same as miller

[ironman]

right now part umber 001046010 from walmart it is 100.00.this is what i like to use it is a 70 amp. welder 110 you can plug into a 15 amp or 20 amp breaker.you get gloves weldig sticks hammer and a mask. there is nothing wrong with this model and would be great for you.1/16 and 5/64 welding sticks work great on it .so go to walmart check it out .if you get it and dont like it you got 30 days to take it back a win win setup.

[oscaryu1]

Stupid question... but what's a welding stick?

[robertdjung]

I have a HF mig.... :(

I haven't really had problems with it though.

Chicago electric, or the hobart? I haven't heard anything good about the Chicago, but, tell me otherwise if you have better experience!

[oscaryu1]

right now part umber 001046010 from walmart it is 100.00.this is what i like to use it is a 70 amp. welder 110 you can plug into a 15 amp or 20 amp breaker.you get gloves weldig sticks hammer and a mask. there is nothing wrong with this model and would be great for you.1/16 and 5/64 welding sticks work great on it .so go to walmart check it out .if you get it and dont like it you got 30 days to take it back a win win setup.

Isn't 70A kinda low though?

[ironman]

Sure its not a 90 amp but for the welding will do on these frames and the metal we use .70 amp works great go look under projects ad look at my new kart im buildig for my son .welds no problem if i wanted i could melt threw a piece of metal with no problem so yes it will get hot enough.try it and just let us know if you like.if not take it back just tryig to help i kow you said not alot to spend

[oscaryu1]

No no, if you had no problem with that welder, I'm sure I'll have absolutely no problems.

What isle are they usually in? I've been at WalMart millions of times... never saw that... (I never really paid close attention to the hardware sections though, mainly the automotive section :p)

[ironman]

yea in the auto section is were you find it its blue. also welding sticks are the metal rods that weld the two metals together.

[kibble]

Chicago electric, or the hobart? I haven't heard anything good about the Chicago, but, tell me otherwise if you have better experience!

The Chicago. I haven't had any problems with it other than ones I've caused myself by being careless. :oops: I've welded my whole kart with it. I was using the flux core wire for a while until I got that tank of CO2, then I started using the solid wire. It's been working just fine.

[oscaryu1]

yea in the auto section is were you find it its blue. also welding sticks are the metal rods that weld the two metals together.

Ah... well let's say that I buy the welder today from WalMart (I wish :mad2: )... What else would I need to start welding? A face shield? welding sticks?

Thanks for everything so far! :cheers2:

[ironman]

its the whole kit you get mask ,gloves and all to get you started good little starter kit

[oscaryu1]

So everything? Take her home, plug her up, I can start welding?

Thanks!

[ironman]

you got it kido;)

[oscaryu1]

Woot! Thank alot man! Ahem, ironman! :)

[oscaryu1]

Walmart doesn't stock them :mad:

"It's probably on the website only, we don't carry 'em"

[ironman]

my walmart does here in ky

[oscaryu1]

Yeah... I try some other WalMarts later on. Thanks!

[ironman]

hey did you ever get your welder any luck finding one?

[oscaryu1]

Not yet. I'm making a trip with dad tomorrow to Home Depot. I'll look there. Hopefully they'll stock something like that...

How are eBay welders? I found some good deals (kits) too... Lemme find them again.

[oscaryu1]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280214431789&_trksid=p2759.l1259

? Is that what you have ?

[ironman]

thats it dude there you go cheap and easy to use great for your first welder

[oscaryu1]

Yay! :D I asked him how many amps... 70A and 110V! I get it at 1/2 the price! :D

[jr dragster Tyler]

Home depot DOES sell welders of all types.

[oscaryu1]

Including the one like on eBay?

[ironman]

60.00 total that was a pretty good deal did you win that auction.

[jr dragster Tyler]

Im pretty sure they have those hausfield ones ( cant spell it) At least at my local home depot they do.

[oscaryu1]

No, unfortunately I missed it :( I got called away (parents)... :(

I'll keep a eye out there! No doubt my dad won't be very happy :D (This will be the third time in three weeks :D)

[2or3wheels]

What is the welding that used only gas no electricity? thats what i want but need the name. is that mig?

[ironman]

hum.. thats a new one to me all take electricity that i know of.unless your talking about JB weld that you mix together. but i wouldnt use that to weld.

[kibble]

I think you're looking for Oxy-Acetyline. I think that's how it's spelled.

[oscaryu1]

Well... dad's afraid I will blow a fuse like I did last week (15A just wasn't enough :()

[ironman]

Are you talking about you fuse box on you house if you are than you need to watch out how many things you are running off that one breaker.
If you got any room in the box have your dad run a new fuse and wire for just the welder and you will never have a problem you can do this around 25.00 depends on the length of the run . Make sure you ask the hardware store guy about the wire you use. Home Depot has a sale on the wiring right now.

[2or3wheels]

I think you're looking for Oxy-Acetyline. I think that's how it's spelled.

yes what is that called, it seems like if you get the tanks it easy to weld, electricity and can be used anywhere (as long as you have spark).

[kibble]

yes what is that called, it seems like if you get the tanks it easy to weld, electricity and can be used anywhere (as long as you have spark).


Well you also have to make sure that the wiring can handle the amperage and blah blah blah.

I had to install some 10/2 to run from my breaker box to the Garage so I could weld along with a 30Amp breaker.

[2or3wheels]

so MIG is when you use straight gas heat?

[oscaryu1]

Are you talking about you fuse box on you house if you are than you need to watch out how many things you are running off that one breaker.
If you got any room in the box have your dad run a new fuse and wire for just the welder and you will never have a problem you can do this around 25.00 depends on the length of the run . Make sure you ask the hardware store guy about the wire you use. Home Depot has a sale on the wiring right now.

Oops, I just noticed I have a breaker system... And I do use alotta stuff in one outlet. Gonna have to shut them down then...

[kibble]

so MIG is when you use straight gas heat?

No, MIG is electrical, but uses gas to shield the weld while it's in progress. Oxy-Acetylene is gas only.

[ironman]

hey oscary i just ordered a new snap-on mig 135 gas welder. if you want a cheap little starter welder i got a red machine 80 amp welder dose not take gas will give you a roll of flex wire with it and some other ends too. give me 60.00 for it and pay what ever the shipping is and ill sell it to you to help you get started if you like.

[oscaryu1]

Thanks for the offer, but I think I'ma browse around for some more welders. I finally found a room with its personal breaker that we don't really use :)

But if I can't find a good deal, you'll be first on my "to buy list" :p

[2or3wheels]

Whats a good price for a oxy acet set up?

[ryf]

check out these refurbed walmart type welders (Campbell Haus) might save a few bucks depending on shipping

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/CategoryDisplay?storeId=10051&catalogId=10001&langId=-1&categoryId=10682&cg1=10681&cg2=&cg3=

I had the HF welder 90amp flux only, it was alright, I replaced it with a used unit that did gas that came along. you need to make sure you stick to the duty cycle, they have no fan so you CAN destroy the transformer(the buzz box) if you overheat it too much or too often. opening up the side and putting a fan on it will decrease the amount of time it takes to cool off, but the transformers core(s) can still be very hot, so be responsible.

(this is for all welders in your price range of "cheap") Sticking to making one part at a time construction (make it, tack it, make next tack it) it should be fine, but with any "inexpensive" (IMO sub $700) welder, you can't ever just spend a day welding something up... weld for a bit, then take a break or grind some welds.. follow the duty cycle its intended to be used at they last alot longer you can pretty well bet, if its 110 volt, it probably won't due better than a 20% duty cycle.

HF oxy kit is $140 right now

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92496

Mig is easier and cheaper and faster to do a whole project usually, theres no waiting for it to heat up, etc. not to mention the cost of gases these days.

[oscaryu1]

What things will you need other than the welder itself?

[jr dragster Tyler]

Things like spare contact tips, gas difusers, gloves. And DEFINATYLY a better mask than the hand held one supplied.

[oscaryu1]

how much would those cost?