What welder should I get if I don't want to spend 500$ on a Hobart 140?

[Shortbrah3030]

Do I really NEED a 140 or can I get a little 90 or 110 instead? If so what is a good model? I've never welded before and plan on learning on my go kart I'm building.

 

[masteryota]

Do I really NEED a 140 or can I get a little 90 or 110 instead? If so what is a good model? I've never welded before and plan on learning on my go kart I'm building.

You don't HAVE to get a 120+ amp welder, but it is advised to look at the long run, and consider this an investment. The more amperage welder you have, the better penetration you will have, should you need to weld heavier steel, and some bigger welders have the option to add a spool gun attachment for welding aluminum.

As for the 90-11amp welders, most are flux core only, meaning you can't use mig wire and gas, which makes welding thin stuff a little tougher, not to mention the spatter from flux. I would strongly consider a mig capable welder, that way you have the option to switch.

 

[Kentguy13]

I agree with masteryota. I started several years back on a flux core welder, and i built a few nice karts/bike with it. I switched over to the Hobart handler 190 a year ago and haven't looked back. I absolutely love the Hobart machine, I use it any chance I can just for the sake of using it. My whole set up was $1000, that includes a brand new welder from the internet, a tank bought locally, and the harbor freight cart. Amazon has a few cheap auto darkening masks to get you started until you can afford a nice one.

Good luck in your search, and welcome to kart building!

 

[masteryota]

There are also entry level mig welders, such as eastwood and northern industrial brands, which seem good enough for hobby work, but keep in mind you will have to buy a tank and have it filled locally, which can run in the $150-300 range, depending on the company and size of the tank.

 

[Shortbrah3030]

Looks like I'm gonna have to research on welding to see what I need. I don't even know what a tank is lol. Welding is god **** expensive! I most likely will just buy the 140 so I don't have to worry about getting a better one later.

I'm on minimum wage with bills so its gonna take a while to get the tools for this but I know it'll be worth it!

 

[Kentguy13]

If money is an issue..... maybe buying a used flux cored off craigslist would be a good starting point. Just try and find a good name brand, such as Lincoln. I know Harbor Freight sells a $100 new one, but everyone I've talked to said stay away from it. In my opinion... it is better to start learning the skill now on a cheap machine instead of waiting a year before you can actually afford the nice one. Besides, if you learn on the Flux.... its a smooth and simple transition to MIG (gas).

I did most of my research on welding at the library and amazon. I bought the 'Welders Handbook' for cheap and learned the basics.

 

[Shortbrah3030]

Would this be a good catch?

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/tls/3791471433.html

 

[machinist@large]

Back away slowly.......

Would this be a good catch?

http://neworleans.craigslist.org/tls/3791471433.html

The seller doesn't have a clue or is intentionally trying to mislead people. That's an AC only STICK welder that requires a dedicated 220V power supply to run it. It won't support a simple spool gun for welding steel unless you are willing to spend more than double the price of the welder for just the spool.

If you wish to learn how to stick weld, that price is kinda OK, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you only need to weld thicker material. Being as it's a tap type power supply, there is no provisions for fine adjustment between ranges; the operator has to compensate with their technique.

You could weld a kart with this unit, but you would need to know what you were doing; stick welding is not something you just walk up to and teach yourself in an afternoon....

Basically, I would stay away from this one. It has it's place, just not in your basement/garage for a learning tool.

 

[Shortbrah3030]

Lol ok. I'll keep looking hahaha.

 

[masteryota]

$300 for a 'tombstone' welder? Get real, they almost give them away around here, thought about grabbing one just to learn.

 

[machinist@large]

Must be nice; wish you were in my world for a couple of years.

$300 for a 'tombstone' welder? Get real, they almost give them away around here, thought about grabbing one just to learn.

Dang!!! They give those away in Florida? Wish they were up here in Michigan. Of course, the fact that we've been the economic whipping boy for the North American Continent for the last several decades means that there isn't much left to "give away". We're even running out of machines/and/or other items to scrap; without any real disposable income in the bottom 1/3 of the economy (~85% of the population here) old things like your "freebee" tombstone actually cost money here.

It must be nice to live in a place where they just "give" things like that away.

 

[masteryota]

Whoa there cowboy

I know for a fact I have seen those stick welders for $100 or less, and a co worker asked if I wanted his craftsman stick welder, for about $50, or he was going to toss it since he bought a lincoln 140.

 

[machinist@large]

Apparently, you just don't get it.....

I know for a fact I have seen those stick welders for $100 or less, and a co worker asked if I wanted his craftsman stick welder, for about $50, or he was going to toss it since he bought a lincoln 140.

You have so totally missed the point that I'm not sure it's even worth the time to try to get thru to you.

just because they throw such items away in Florida, DOES NOT MEAN THAT THEY ARE THROWN AWAY AS USELESS IN OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY, LET ALONE AROUND THE WORLD!!!

NOW, WHAT PART OF THE PRECEDING SENTENCE DO YOU FAIL TO COMPREHEND?

Maybe that's why you think going from a ~$1,000.00 motor swap to a ~$5,000.00 motor swap is no big deal......(referencing another person's thread.....)

 

[masteryota]

Let me start out diffusing this bomb by not resorting to anger or large type get a point across. I was simply stating that they are available, and apparently plentiful in my area, I was not stating they are trash or worthless, you made that assumption

Second, don't jack someones elses thread by referencing another thread, in which, if you take a second and actually read my last post, you will see I actually agreed with you and other members.

If you have a bone to pick with me, then use PM's, not someone elses threads.

@shortbrah, I am sorry that your thread has become a tense back and forth, but you won't see me posting much, and will see myself out.

 

[landuse]

Come guys....none of that!!

 

[tha_thrasher]

If i were you i would get the 90 amp harbor freight and an auto darkening helmet. Also I weld 1 to 2 times a week and i love the set up i have. here it is...

1. welder= 99$
2.auto- helmet= 35$
3. welding gloves = 8$
4. Lincoln wire at home depot=12$
grand total =154$
with all of the stuff i have fixed it more than pay for itself in 6 months

 

[KartFab]

If money is an issue..... maybe buying a used flux cored off craigslist would be a good starting point.

I second that. Ebay is the next best bet, but name brand consistently (miller, lincoln) sell for much more than you would find on craigslist.

The lincoln weldpak series and miller 140 w/autoset are good machines. Besides, if you buy an off brand or chineese one, you may not be able to sell it for much if you want to upgrade later. If you buy a Lincoln or Miller, you will be able to sell it for pretty much what you bought it for.

For example, I just bought a 'newer' miller welder. I owned a well used one before this one. The well used one I bought on craigslist for $400, and bought $150 worth of accessories for it. I sold it today for $825 on ebay. Still not making any money on the deal because I bought the newer one for $1,150, but hopefully you get my point...whatever it was...

 

[Oxymoron]

I just bought my first welder this year. Ended up getting a Hobart Handler 210MVP. I freaking love it.

Granted, not the best choice if your on a budget. I considered other cheaper priced welders, but decided to get something I'd likely never "need" to upgrade.

I figured I'd just bite the bullet on price, and get something I wouldn't regret later.

All that to say... my advice is save up for the one you really want, instead of one that's "acceptable" for now.

Whatever you decide, happy welding! Have fun