Mag-torch Oxy "Map-Pro" Torch Kit or cheap used welder?

[markz]

Which one should I buy? Just want to weld up aluminum frame, and repair my bmc cover plate. Also weld up some torque arms.
Is it harder to learn welding on oxy kit then regular welder?
Can I cut with a welder?

This is on sale today at Canadian Tire for $55, oxygen bottle, Map bottle, hose, ignitor, brass ends, everything needed, even some welding rods. This is good for just under 1/4" @ 3/16" which is probably defined by the end nozzle.

FEATURES

Mag-torch Oxy-Map Torch Kit is an Oxy Map-Pro™ brazing/cutting/welding torch kit that features a torch with two brass fuel valves - one for Map-Pro™ and a regulated valve for oxygen

Kit includes the torch and hoses, as well as a carry case with a built-in stand, both Map-Pro™and oxygen cylinders, welding rods, and a flint spark lighter

The torch is capable of delivering a flame at over 5,000°F

Large comfort grip handle

4-1/2' flexible hose

Weld up to 3/16” steel

Cuts 5/8” bolts and 3/16” steel

Works only with Map-Pro™and oxygen fuels

or used welder
$80 - needs plug end, welding cable etc - http://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/calgary/stick-welder/1214305411?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

$100 70A - To me this looks like a hobby welder http://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/calgary/70-amp-arc-welder/1221711004?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

then they jump up to $200 and more.

 

[dogman dan]

I think you don't weld with the torches, you braze with them. Usually brazing is joining metal with a brass type material, kind of like soldering water pipe but stronger. Apparently there are various types of metal you can braze with.

As for that welder,, under no circumstances buy that piece of shit. If you want to weld steel, get a flux core wire feed welder. In the US,, they can be found as cheap as $100.

Looks like you can get aluminum welding wire,, but it is not flux core wire, meaning to use it you need a much more expensive mig welder, vs a cheap flux core wire welder.

So it looks like for on the cheap,, brazing it with the torch is your option.

 

[Chalo]

Don't. Just don't. Study some basic metallurgy before you go talking nonsense like gas welding aluminum torque arms.

Aluminum welding takes inert gas and LOTS of electrical power. And the metal is annealed in the process, meaning softened and weakened.

Like Dan recommends, use a wire feed welder (and I'll add, limit your material to mild steel) if you want to keep things cheap and easy.

 

[Punx0r]

The cost and run-time on those disposable oxygen bottles is painful.

 

[Ykick]

Welding class before buying anything. Check community or trade colleges for classes and enroll yourself in one. Or, pay a pro to do your welding and perhaps show you "how" if they're willing?

DM - you can most definitely weld with torch. Metal coat hangars make usable rod but it is a very difficult welding skill using acetylene torch since it's like rubbing your head while patting your belly. Muffler shops used to be good places to see torch welding at work. Dunno if they still do or not?

You can also weld Aluminum with torch and aluminum rod although it's very very hard to visually see/tell when aluminum melts/pools.

OP don't waste your money on this stuff. Even a highly skilled welder would need to muster their best skills to weld even a small workpiece using these toys.

 

[spinningmagnets]

Cheapest way is to do what Ykick says, find a local community college welding class.

 

[Drunkskunk]

That gas welder is almost a toy. useful for tiny projects, like glasses frames. I had one, and found it useful in rebuilding an antique brass carburetor float. The gas bottle lasts about 5 minutes on a medium flame.
That welder will cut, and I've had to use it to make a cut before when a normal cutting torch wouldn't fit. But it lasts about 2 minutes per tank when cutting, and can cut about 1 bolt. Those oxygen tanks are like $15 each, non refillable.


Welding is a skill, like playing the piano. it can take 100s of hours of practice before you can weld anything structural like a bike frame. Welding Aluminum is like being a concert pianist. Once you learn to weld skillfully, you start learning aluminum.

You can get a simple wire feed welder for $100 from harbor freight. it's Functional crap, but it is Functional, and will get you started and should be able to do any mild steel job you come up with. When you want to get up to Stainless and 4130 Cromoly, you'll need a MIG. it's like a wire feed welder, but with a shield gas. You could do Aluminum with some MIG systems, but for a bike frame, you'll need a TIG.

TIG welding is a separate skill, but it builds on MIG welding skills. you could start learning to weld with a TIG, but you'll be a better and more versatile welder if you start with a wire feed or MIG welder and develop your base skills first.

 

[marty]

What I would do is take what you want to weld to a welder. Welders weld and they know how. Every thing I weld breaks again. Solder and braze I can do.

 

[markz]

OK I hear you all, I dont want to go new, gotta go old and as cheap as possible but FUNCTIONAL as mentioned in the replies.

A few things I should have mentioned about the bike frame, all steel, nothing fancy welds . Planned to make a bike trailer out of one. Then torque arms and whatever else I can find.

- I had a feeling those bottles wouldnt last long.
- That Mastercraft 120V 70A hobby welder is out, but what about the other one
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-power-tool/calgary/stick-welder/1214305411?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true
It looks like an old popular Lincoln 225 AC Arc Welding machine. Pictures below. Canox is actually Miller, all I can read is Model - C-something.
I figure extra cost on that would be $3/ft for welding cable, $10 for clamps (ground and electrode), and $5-$10 for an outlet plug-in. Then I'd have to purchase all the protective gear.

The good thing with this is the dial gradually increases or decreases the current, unlike the classic Lincoln 225's where it can be either too high or too low and not dialed in properly.

 

[dogman dan]

That used welder I would like to have. But not for welding bikes. Stick welding really does take months if not years of practice. My objection to the other one is that I have a similar one, and its the single hardest to use welder I ever touched. Its weak power means instead of raising a spark, the stick just constantly sticks itself to the work. Very touchy to use, taking huge skill just to get a bead started. This old but more professional welder, if functioning, will be much easier to use.

But still best for welding thick stuff, much thicker than bike frames.

Keep hunting,, I'm not sure where you can get a cheapo flux wire welder in Calgary. Here in the USA,, it's harbor freight. Do you have Northern Tool in CA? I looked at Canadian Tire, and found no cheap beginner welders.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200632003_200632003?utm_source=CSE&utm_medium=Shopping.com&utm_campaign=Welding%20%3E%20MIG%20%2B%20Flux%20Core%20Welding&utm_content=45433

On Amazon,, similar welders.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_4_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=flux+core+welder&sprefix=flux+core+%2Caps%2C208&crid=XIR1LNB04L4J

You will find a flux core welder much easier to learn to use, than any stick welder. One more tip,, spend the money for the auto darkening helmet, soon as you can afford it. That better helmet did more to improve my welding than the wire feed. I kept flashing my eyes getting started and flipping the mask down too slow. Then with eyes flashed,, I was always welding blind.

 

[Drunkskunk]

That stick welder would be awesome, and stick welding is a great skill to have. If that was near me, I might jump on that sale without realy trying to barter too much. That welder is fairly useless for building a bike frame, though. Unless you plan to build it out of 1/8th plate steel.

The Wire feed unit that Dogman posted might be perfect. It's the same size as my MIG/Flux core. That makes it useful for being portable, and running off a standard wall socket instead of a high voltage, high amp plug. you can carry it down to your neighbors house, and fix his lawn mower handle right in his front yard.