I want to start with metal working.

[thenervemann]

okay what is needed? a welder of course but what kind is a good starter? what else do i need to start? im am new =P

 

[kibble]

What kind of price range are you looking at? Some can be gotten for around $100 for a low end model while others go into the multi-hundreds.

 

[modelengineer]

With a welder and an angle grinder (4") you can fabricate a lot of things.
Then some marking out tools like a scribe, protractor, square, and metal ruler.
Then you could get a drill with all the associated drill bits.
Then you can get an 8" pedestal grinder.
Then a tube bender.
Then a lathe.
Then a milling machine.
Then a metal shaper.
Then...

The list goes on, but with an angle grinder, welder, drill and some hand tools you can build a LOT of stuff.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Used 230amp stick welder for $100 coulple pounds of welding rods, a decent mask, wire brush, hammer and flathead screw driver(for chipping slag), angle grinder, shouldb e able to get setup for around $200.

 

[thenervemann]

Where could i get a welder like that at?

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

craigs list

 

[homemade]

ive never welded before i want to make a roll cage for my go cart i do have a propane torch would that be able to weld any type of piping? if it can what kind, if not what do i need to purchase? also im on a budget.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

A propane torch is not hot enough for anything besides solering copper pipe. You can get a fluxcore wire welder for a little over $100 new in box, a good mask can be had for about $60, another $20 for a roll of GOOD wire(included sucks) and your golden.

Flux core wire welders are EASY to learn, I had it down in 3 welds. Runs on a 15 amp 120 volt outlet. Follow the duty cycle and it will last a LONG time.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=55167

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46092

You can get the welder and mask at harbor freight or a tool sale if there is no harbor freight nearby(all the 100ish amp flux core wire welders are about the same). Flux core welding wire can be obtained anywhere welders are sold.

 

[fluxcored]

With a welder and an angle grinder (4") you can fabricate a lot of things.
Then some marking out tools like a scribe, protractor, square, and metal ruler.
Then you could get a drill with all the associated drill bits.
Then you can get an 8" pedestal grinder.
Then a tube bender.
Then a lathe.
Then a milling machine.
Then a metal shaper.
Then...

The list goes on, but with an angle grinder, welder, drill and some hand tools you can build a LOT of stuff.

Once the bug bites.........

If you're on a budget then start of with at least a 160 Amp arc welder, a hacksaw with lots of blades, soapstone markers, square, protractor, ruler, measuring tapes and a few files. Some clamps and perhaps a bench vise. You'll need a work bench of course.

A smallish angle grinder will be good. Safety gear of course.

Buy the best quality that you can afford. I tend to go Makita or Metabo. Otherwise be aware that cheap tools are killed easily by dust and heat - so make sure that when you use them you regularly check that they're not too hot.

I've got a $10 cheapo chinese made grinder that's been in daily use for the past 8 years. When it gets hot I leave it too cool off - best $10 I've ever spent. The wife gave me some money the other day to buy a Makita grinder and I spent it on 3 of those el cheapo's.

I bought a home made bench grinder for $12 that looks like junk but has much more staying power than my store bought $50 bench grinder.

SO, yeah buy the best - but you can go a long way with cheapies if you treat them right.

The wisest words that I can give you - spend more money on material than on tools. You want to up your fabrication skills and not become a tool a holic.

 

[Scout]

With a welder and an angle grinder (4") you can fabricate a lot of things.
Then some marking out tools like a scribe, protractor, square, and metal ruler.
Then you could get a drill with all the associated drill bits.
Then you can get an 8" pedestal grinder.
Then a tube bender.
Then a lathe.
Then a milling machine.
Then a metal shaper.
Then...

The list goes on, but with an angle grinder, welder, drill and some hand tools you can build a LOT of stuff.

I LOL'd but it's true, if I don't have one of those I know someone who does.

What I use in my "shop" is an old Miller buzz box, and angle grinder that grinds, sands, cuts, and wire wheels, a pedestal grinder that I rarely use, a drill press and a cordless drill. That's about it for power tools. In the hand tools department I have a small set of sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers. I have a steel table made from old bedframes that I fab on. the top is 1/4 steel so I can weld on it and write on it if I need. I don't have to put my ground clamp on the part, just the table, which is nice. I also have a selection of vise-grips, c-clamps, angle magnets, a chipping hammer, sharpies, straight edges, tape measures, a square, level, soapstone, calculator, blah blah blah. Then there is the PPE (personal protection equipment) such as face shields, ear plugs, welding gloves/jacket/hood, and work boots. Plus you need to keep your area clean, so you have a couple brooms and dustpans, and trash cans. Sometimes it gets lonely working by myself, so I brought out a stereo and nice speakers, but then I got tired of radio and brought out a tv, vcr, dvd player, Now I have a small (6 inch) lathe and haven't even started on buying tooling for that yet...

Holy crap I'm not trying to discourage you from learning, but be warned that you will end up buying more and more tools to do more and more things, and you'll find more and more things that you can do


Please, if you do want to learn to weld, take a class at a community college or adult education, or find an experienced welder to guide you. I have seen some scary stuff that people think is just fine.

 

[fluxcored]

Now I have a small (6 inch) lathe and haven't even started on buying tooling for that yet...

You're one up on me ...., that's gonna be my next purchase.

I'm thinking of building a MultiMachine, but there's so many stuff that I want to build and so little time and money.

 

[punchdrunk monkey]

I have a Miller 175 230v MIG welder and love it. I used to have a 110v welder, I thought it was good until I welded with 220v. If you can save your money and buy a QUALITY welder. You will thank your self later. And your weld will have more penetration. Miller, Lincoln, Hobert all make good 110 machines.

I also have a Miller 180 TIG welder. This takes a TON of practice and I don't recommend a TIG to learn on. But it is fun to weld aluminum.

All my grinders, chop saws and hand tools are Harbor Freight. Again spend the money on the welder. A good one will last a lifetime.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

A HF fluxcore welder will last a long time too, there isnt much to them to break. A 110 machine is a 110 machine is a 110 machine. They arent meant for serious work. Welder quality has nothing to do with penetration.

 

[punchdrunk monkey]

No disrespect but I disagree. I've welded with a HF 110, Craftsman 110, Hobart 110 and Miller 110. The HF and Craftsman did not get hot enough to penetrate good. The welds tend to look like bird poop. The material needs to be extremely clean. Your material should always be clean but the better welders (especially 220v) will burn through some dirt/rust/oil. The Hobart and Miller would weld up to 1/4" fine. Also the cheaper welders overheat (duty cycle). I by no means am a welding expert or technician. I just have welded with all these machines and have see the differnce a good machine makes. Granted most people are just goofing around and not welding big stuff BUT my thought process is if you are going to buy a welder buy a quality machine. Cheap tools also have there place.

I started out on a cheap welder because it was all I could afford. After I while it was time to step up to better MIG welder. Hindsight, I wish I would of bought the better welder up front. Thats the point I'm trying to (poorly) get across.

All-in-all buy what you can afford and build something fun!!!!

my .02 (in this economy .01)

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Wire differences? I had that problem with the houses Chinese 110 volt fluxcore unit cranked up the wire speed and all was well.

 

[punchdrunk monkey]

good point, very well could of been the wire.

 

[Kenny_McCormic]

Bundled wire with the proudly make in the PRC welders is JUNK.