Welders

[srivett]

I'm thinking about getting myself a welder as it costs too much to pay people to complete simple welding tasks. I can't seem to get anybody to make a hitch for my car for under 350 bucks!

Any comments on what I should be looking at buying? I'm thinking the Lincoln 225 would be a good choice as they appear to last forever and are very capable. I want something that I can weld steel frames and body panels for sure. I'd also like the option to upgrade to alluminum welding in the future if it doesn't cost a whole pile more. I don't know about wirefeed, it looks good if you need to lay down a lot of material but I doubt I'll be doing that.

How about new versus used? I don't know how to weld so I wouldn't know how to test a used model properly. I also know I'd never use a new model enough to wear it out.

Thanks, Steve

 

[tom slick]

I've done alot of welding with lincoln 225 style welders. I would get one with DC, DC reverse polarity and AC. that will give you the largest range of rods to use. It should have plenty of power for building a hitch. I personally like 7018 rod for fab work.

 

[Fuelrod]

That's just what we need, guys that have never welded anything building trailer hitches...

I had a shop in Denver (The Hitch House) install a factory made hitch on a Crown Vic for less than $300 down the road..$300 won't buy a 220 volt Buzz Box..

 

[55Test]

My dad has had a Lincoln Electric 225 amp arc welder for close to 13 years and it's still going strong. He uses it mostly for car repair, welding frames, body panels and the like. My dad built himself a big heavy towbar with that welder, so a towhitch would do doable.

 

[tom slick]

quote:

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Originally posted by Fuelrod:
That's just what we need, guys that have never welded anything building trailer hitches...

I had a shop in Denver (The Hitch House) install a factory made hitch on a Crown Vic for less than $300 down the road..$300 won't buy a 220 volt Buzz Box..

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that is a good point! please become a competent welder before your home made hitch falls apart and kills the person behind you. there is alot of liability in building your own stressed/structural componets. many shops won't custom build hitches for that reason.

 

[srivett]

I am not the type that puts others at risk. I already considered the issue and decided I would use a couple bolts to make sure a screw up isn't possible. Hitches aren't available for my car anymore.

As for safety chains, I use big ones! I've heard too many stories of safety chains breaking and the idiots I worked with still didn't use them half the time. From my experience hitches fail through either sabotage or the spring clips popping off. Check your hitch every time you leave your vehicle unattended, period.

I've done a bit more looking and the Lincoln SP-135 could be a choice. I'm not sure if I like the need for argon though but it is aluminum capable. Can Argon tanks be bought or is it also subject to those silly 100 year leases? I am on the move so the lease could be a PITA, I also hate reaccurring ownership costs. I'm no too fussy about the short leads either. I'd have to drag it around to get close enough to weld.

Steve

 

[tom slick]

the sp-135 is too small for what you want to use it for. it's really suited for 1/8" and smaller. you will be maxing it's amperage/voltage to weld 1/4" material and with it's duty cycle you'll get 2-3 minutes of welding out of every 10 minutes. the next size up from that, something that is 220v and 175a, which is what I own will weld 1/4" with no problems and it doesn't max the duty cycle.

 

[ChrisW]

This would be a great welder. I've heard good things about Hobart. If you dont think you'll need 180amps, then get the 140, which is very capable as well. The 180 uses 240V and the 140 uses 120V.

Also, practice practice practice, the only way to get better at welding.

 

[labman]

Buy a cheap little welder from Harbor Freight or such. Play around on some small jobs and see if you can develop the knack for making decent welds. If so, rent a heavy duty one for the hitch job. Welding with too small of a welder is like trying to make it across a crevasse in 2 jumps.

 

[srivett]

I did some more looking around. There is a Lincoln MIG 15 for sale by Canadian Tire right now, 750 retail (nobody pays retail from crappy tire...) on sale for 600 Canadian. It is a 175 amp 220 volt unit but as per

tire it is kind of a kit, the hose/regulator is an extra 125 CDN and you still need to buy 0.035 tips and a CO2 adapter ontop of that!

http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=9735


I was also down to the Miller dealer got fed a pile of what I'm guessing are lies. First, he said miller bought Hobart and will be shutting down the production of hobart welders. 2nd, he said Lincolns quality was slipping and showed me the plastic wirefeed guides that they use. 3rd, he wouldn't warrant Lincolns sold from Canadian Tire!! The Miller he showed me was going for about 1100 Canadian and wasn't too much better than the MIG-15 although the Miller did have a variable current knob. I hear this is good and bad.

Steve

 

[labman]

When I managed a small factory, my welder insisted on Lincoln rod. In my own experience, I can do much better using Steel Works rod by Lincoln than with the crap Lowes sells.

 

[Shannow]

I've got a CIG 2 speed (it's AC, and two transmission settings). There's less room for error if you have to learn to weld to the machine, rather than outguess youself with multiple adjustment...for what I use it for.

I build fences, pergolas, shelves etc. would pull up stumps at engine mounts.

For structural stuff, stuff that may put others at risk (and therefore me through the courts) and plain safety, I buy premade, or pay someone.

yep, I'm a qualified mechanical engineer, can design the stuff, but won't risk others with my welding.

 

[srivett]

I will take care in deciding what I should or shouldn't be building Shannow. I may even take an evening course and turn welding into a hobby business.

That being said, I've decided to buy the Lincoln MIG-15. It is basically a SP-175 with difficult to change feeder rollers. Mid-sized tanks can be bought locally for 225CDN and filled for another 50. I've also found a decent set of gauges for 125 to seal the deal. Now all I have to do is get the money and find a book on household wiring. It turns out the dryer receptacle has 4 prongs for 230 while a welder only uses 3 prongs.

Cheers, Steve

 

[Bret Chase]

quote:

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I was also down to the Miller dealer got fed a pile of what I'm guessing are lies. First, he said miller bought Hobart and will be shutting down the production of hobart welders.

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MIller does own Hobart, I don't know anything about them shutting Hobart down though.

quote:

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2nd, he said Lincolns quality was slipping and showed me the plastic wirefeed guides that they use.

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My 4 year old Lincoln Weldpack 100 has steel guides.

quote:

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3rd, he wouldn't warrant Lincolns sold from Canadian Tire!!

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it's a retail market(i.e. mass merchandisers, parts stores) item, just like my Weld-pack 100 or the 225AC. some places won't touch them. Just try and get the John Deere L100 you bought from Home Depot repaired at a John deere dealer... same deal.

quote:

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The Miller he showed me was going for about 1100 Canadian and wasn't too much better than the MIG-15 although the Miller did have a variable current knob. I hear this is good and bad.
Steve

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I've used Miller MIG welders before and I like them just as much as my Lincoln WeldPack 100. for bigger stuff though, I fire up my Bobcat 225NT.

hth,
Bret

 

[dustyjoe1]

Lincoln 225 I say. Perfect for welding hitches and the such. I bought mine at Sam's club for about $250. Only thing is that this AC welder will put a serious tan on you, so wear long sleeves and gloves.

 

[Vstrom]

quote:

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Originally posted by labman:
When I managed a small factory, my welder insisted on Lincoln rod. In my own experience, I can do much better using Steel Works rod by Lincoln than with the crap Lowes sells.

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I used to always buy some American Forge rod...best looking welds I ever made even though it costs more it was worth it. Now I cannot find it anywhere, I think they may have closed.

As for welding trailer hitches when a newby....uuhhh no. It is possible to make welds that look good but won't hold squat. Please get good at it first..BTW it takes most a lot of practice and some guys NEVER get it right...it is an art.

[ March 27, 2005, 07:52 PM: Message edited by: Vstrom ]

 

[Curious Kid]

dustyjoe1 - As you mentioned that the welder will give you some serious tans, is the rumor of welders by profession having the highest rate of cancer due to the UV light emissions from the arc? I heard about this when I was doing some light hearted research on electromagnetic radiation as relavent to electrical systems.

I myself did end-up buying a Lincoln 220 AC/DC with reverse polarity for around $350 from CT Farm some years ago, for the same reason - a heavy duty trailer hitch for light duty use. I'm now thinking of getting MIG wire feed to enable thin metal work, as well as for it's portibility running on 125V. I'm also scratching for a new helmet with an auto darkening lense to ensure I strick the weld where it's needed.

Have fun and be safe!

 

[CapriRacer]

To make good welds, you need experience. But you need to know how first!

It's a good idea to go to a class. Some community colleges have them. Worth every buck!!

 

[pastmaster]

HI! This is my first post. I am addicted to this site and have learned much.

I attended a Welding class, at my local
Community College and learned to weld correctly and SAFELY. My neighbor was the Chief of the Welding Program at Washtenaw Community College. in Ann Arbor, MI. Still a great Program. I recommend you and anyone else to take this type of training. I discovered a whole lot more. Paul

 

[cousincletus]

I've seen some beginner welders weld good enough to stick something together with good penetration, but the weld looks like bird$hit. Ya gotta start somewhere, though. Take the community college course and have fun!