Found the perfect welder! #6

[oscaryu1]

They look... a bit expensive? Does HF sell them?

Next time I get into HF, I'll get that orange one! Sounds like I definitely need it!

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

They look... a bit expensive? Does HF sell them?

This is the one tool YOU CAN NOT cheap out on.

 

[ed1380]

my $30 cordless one has been running great for years now

 

[AutoMX]

yea i have a wired ryobi which works well and has a really nice/secure latch for blades, and recently got a cordless HF one (blue one) and it's strong and working fine (19v one). the HF has a much cheaper/simpler system of holding blades, nowhere near as sturdy but they only fall out if you're not pressing down ont eh blades.

if you're gonna do any kind of metalwork, you need at least a grinder, a close 2nd is a sawzall ('reciprocating saw') and if you're working with any tubing like me, a cutoff saw is a must. i got mine for $30 at HF, it uses i think 6" grinder disks and has different angle settings. something that takes 3 mins with a grinder and 2 mins with a sawzall takes maybe 10 secs with the cutoff saw. and they last way longer than grinder disks.

 

[oscaryu1]

Hmm... so either the blue or the orange, but the orange preferred.

So, if I want a Sawzall, I'll be needing the "genuine" one, correct?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Hmm... so either the blue or the orange, but the orange preferred.

So, if I want a Sawzall, I'll be needing the "genuine" one, correct?

I would recomend it.

 

[kibble]

Hmm... so either the blue or the orange, but the orange preferred.

So, if I want a Sawzall, I'll be needing the "genuine" one, correct?

I have yet to get me a sawzall

It's funny about HF's blue and orange products. The orange ones seem to be made with better quality than the blue ones.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Sawzalls are awesome, dunno if I could live without one. With the right blade it seriously "saws all".

 

[kibble]

dunno if I could live without one.

I'm just barely making it through life without it, yup, just crawling along...

I have used my friends before and it's great for quickly cutting something that doesn't require much accuracy.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

You can get pretty accurate if your careful.

 

[newrider3]

The only problem is they make what your trying to cut vibrate like hell. I prefer a grinder and a cut off wheel, but the wheels are way too expensive and wear out every day.

 

[ed1380]

not if you hold the saw guide up against what you're cutting.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

not if you hold the saw guide up against what you're cutting.

 

[oscaryu1]

I have yet to get me a sawzall

It's funny about HF's blue and orange products. The orange ones seem to be made with better quality than the blue ones.

Well.... I'll consider it. Right now I'll plan on the grinder and... accessories.

Anything else I'll be "needing"?

And just wondering, should I start welding some projects or should I "improve" more? It's ok, you can bash me for my welding all you want. I'll admit, they're messy and probably rather weak

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

I would practice some more. Remember, better to melt it a little and have to turn it down than have a crappy weak weld.

 

[oscaryu1]

If I read correctly, with that autodimming mask I have, I should be able to SEE both metals (or whatever I'm welding) melt, as with the wire, correct? Thanks Kenny!

 

[kibble]

I think that's what everyone's been trying to tell you...

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Yea, the hot spot should be 1/4" to 3/8" wide.

 

[oscaryu1]

Hehe you know I'm slow at welding Kibble

Now... Just welded some more! Dad went to Home Depot and bought a $4 bar for me to practice with. I'll upload the photos right away.

I really think I've improved quite alot... you'll see what I mean in the pics.

 

[newrider3]

not if you hold the saw guide up against what you're cutting.

No, it still vibrates if you don't have it clamped down to something heavy.