Club Cobra - Looking to purchase a Welder

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A few years ago I bought a MIG welder from harbor Freight. On sale for a little under $100. I use it all the time. Not as pretty or versatile as a TIG, but pretty cheap. So far, it's done everything I've asked of it - from gate frames to a drive shaft loop. For the average home owner and car guy, it works just fine.

I looked in to taking a course at my local JC. But all their classes are 4 days a week, 4 hours a night. I don't have that much free time. I bought a book and learned to do it on my own. A local welding supply shop now offers classes.

Another alternative, if you don't have a JC in the area, is to go to a good welder and take some lessons. If you have been practicing on your own and don't get the results you are looking for, an hour of their time can do wonders to show you what you are doing wrong.

my input if you please ,
I totally agree with AutoBody Pro,I have welded all my life and would recommend a quality mig set up. The 130-140 amp Miller is the best although you may spend a bit more it is worth it ,you won't need to work on it and when you tire of it resale is well above any other make. Tig is a great system as well but it is specialized welding for a specialized welder,for learning and all around the shop general welding a mig is wonderful and can do most anything you need .
Tk

Something that has not been touched on is a comprehensive knowledge of metallurgy.This is a must for joining similar or dissimilar metals.Not to discourage , but you need to know how metals react to heat, joint preparation ,work hardening..etc etc..etc.Your safety will depend on it. Practice on various coupons and check for penetration ... get a good technique and enjoy...Get a copy of richard Finch " welders handbook" simple but helpfull.

My vote is for the MIG too. Also second the brand name for parts service etc. A Hobart Handler 175 or equivalent Miller with the backing gas capability. Make sure it is set up with the correct polarity for flux core or backing gas. Hardest part of MIG is knowing where to set it which you'll get with a little practice and trial and error. Once you've got it set you'll practice techniques. First and foremost know you're equipment and get in a comfortable position to access as much of the weld as possible. You'll wonder how you lived without one. Friend of mine gets charged $250 for the welding truck to pull in his driveway, that's an expensive way to weld on one little bracket. Go for it!

I have both mig and tig welders in Miller. If I could only recommend one to anybody, it would be a mig welder. Miller's come with a chart that tells you where the settings should be depending on the thickness of material. That, combined with a couple Youtube videos can make you damn near an expert in 5 minutes.

Beyond that, I have a Miller STH TIG at home, and an Econotig at work. Once you learn TIG, you will never lower yourself to a mig again. Ever!

One day, I hope to pick up a Dynasty 200 on Craigslist.

R

Quote:

Originally Posted by priobe (Post 916948)

I am looking to purchase a Welder. I am novice with welding and dont know too much but hoping to learn.

I just puchased a set of mufflers for the cobra and if I am good enough will weld them up. If not I will tac them in place and send it out for a better weld since you will see them.

Here are the specs

The price has been reduced in my local Sears to get it out of here $225 from $465

What do you think.

Here are the specs:

Product Overview:

Item Weight: 90.0 lbs.
Welder Type: Wire feed, MIG welder
Welder/Cutter:
Min. Gauge: 24 ga.
Max. Gauge: 3/16 in.
Welder Duty Cycle: 40 percent @ 60A
Torch Length: 8 ft.
Power:
Type: Electric
Electric Rating: 120V AC
Circuit Amp Rating: 15 amps
Cord:
Cord Length: 6 ft.
Installation Requirements:
Setup: Assembly may be required
Included with Item:
Welding Wire: Yes
Welding Cart: Yes
Brush: Yes, hammer/brush
Face Shield: Yes
Welding Tips: Yes

I own two MIGs, a TIG and a Plasma Cutter - all from Miller. I would recommend you get started with a MIG machine. This will handle most of the projects that you will want to do (even some aluminum work if you fit the machine with a spool gun). MIG is much easier to master than TIG welding, is easy and fast to setup, and produces good looking results. A MIG machine will handle exhaust work include Stainless Steel tubing just fine. Miller has created some simple MIG machines for home/hobby use and I would recommend you take a look at those. I'd suggest a machine like the Millermatic 180 or 211 with Autoset. BTW, these units can also accomodate a spool gun if you want to do aluminum work in the future.

- Fred

FWIW.... I have owned a couple of smaller welders primarily for autobody repair. The duty cycle is what drove me nuts on the typical 110 units. I bought a 140 amp, 100% Duty Cycle Mig off the local Snap-On truck some years ago and this thing has been incredible. Best part is that I can plug it into the kitchen wall if need be. Nothing too thin or too heavy, it has done it all. For the general hobbiest the only way to go. I would just be sure to get one with a 100% duty cycle. It will weld all day without need of manual or automatic reset. A little practice and you are set.

While I agree with Fred that MIG is easy to set up, one of the (many) reasons I use the TIG instead of the MIG is that I don't have to change wire spools when switching from stainless to steel to aluminum. I can just turn on the machine and grab whatever rod I need and go. If I have a job suitable for the MIG and I see I need to change reels, I get the TIG.

MIGs great for big work and production (doing lots of frames?)

Downside on TIG, three cables instead of two and they like to get all tangled (unless you have the heat control in the torch).