Welding
- Thread starter silviasol
- Start date
Drunkskunk
100 GW
Sort of depends on where in the world you live. I like my Hobart 140 Handler. It's the biggest size that can be run off a 110 volt plug, which is handy because I can weld in a parking lot off a plug in a lamp post if I needed to. It does MIG and flux core, and can handle Aluminum and stainless. I used it to build my bike frame.
If you have 220v as normal house voltage in your part ofthe world, there are more options.
Also, for a thin walled frame, TIG welders can be better, but they aren't as versatile.
If you have 220v as normal house voltage in your part ofthe world, there are more options.
Also, for a thin walled frame, TIG welders can be better, but they aren't as versatile.
Dauntless
100 TW
I would assume you want to weld relatively thin tubing such as you'd make a bike frame out of. Household current will do.
The simplest thing for you might be brazing, but that would involve a torch and a lot of people want to avoid those. What seems most attractive to most people who are untrained is a flux core wire feeder. Without the flux core you need tanks, etc. If you want to learn about it you can add those later. Basically with a wire feeder if the wire isn't melting you're not welding, so you can see you're not getting it. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K2471-2(LincolnElectric)
A stick welder is also pretty easy, but some people do manage to burn some serious holes trying to get started with those. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K1170(LincolnElectric)
There's probably somewhere near you like a community college with a welding class you can take. It's normal that the first semester class gets you a few weeks with all the different welding systems, so you can pick out what you like and know a little of how to work it. Welding isn't so hard for the kind of things you're probably wanting to do but it can get ugly real fast if you don't know what you're doing.
The simplest thing for you might be brazing, but that would involve a torch and a lot of people want to avoid those. What seems most attractive to most people who are untrained is a flux core wire feeder. Without the flux core you need tanks, etc. If you want to learn about it you can add those later. Basically with a wire feeder if the wire isn't melting you're not welding, so you can see you're not getting it. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K2471-2(LincolnElectric)
A stick welder is also pretty easy, but some people do manage to burn some serious holes trying to get started with those. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K1170(LincolnElectric)
There's probably somewhere near you like a community college with a welding class you can take. It's normal that the first semester class gets you a few weeks with all the different welding systems, so you can pick out what you like and know a little of how to work it. Welding isn't so hard for the kind of things you're probably wanting to do but it can get ugly real fast if you don't know what you're doing.
dogman dan
1 PW
What you want in a welder, of any price, is a wire feed or mig. Brazing good too of course, but a cheap ass hundred buck wire feed welder can still build a strong bike. the thin wire and using the lower power setting makes welding very thin tube easier by far than a stick welder.
Some tube still a bitch to weld, like very thin cromoly bike frames. Cheaper bikes with thicker mild steel tube are easy as pie to weld on.
Just practice on some junk bikes, or other very thin tube steel to begin with. Projects like a sturdy rack a good starting point.
I weld about as good as a monkey on LSD,, but I can still build a sturdy bike with a $100 wire feed welder that plugs into 110 volt plug. Harbor freight cheapo welder, but it's now built /modified 4 bikes. Using the 220 powered harbor freight welder was easier,, the welder just works smoother, but if you only have 110, the cheapo welder will do.
You may have a bigger budget, and if so,, then buy a more expensive, higher quality wire feed or mig welder. I'm sure the rule of thumb with tools applies, better quality tools make the work easier. But if you don't, the low ball welder can build a bike, easy enough for a total novice with welding like me to do it.
Some tube still a bitch to weld, like very thin cromoly bike frames. Cheaper bikes with thicker mild steel tube are easy as pie to weld on.
Just practice on some junk bikes, or other very thin tube steel to begin with. Projects like a sturdy rack a good starting point.
I weld about as good as a monkey on LSD,, but I can still build a sturdy bike with a $100 wire feed welder that plugs into 110 volt plug. Harbor freight cheapo welder, but it's now built /modified 4 bikes. Using the 220 powered harbor freight welder was easier,, the welder just works smoother, but if you only have 110, the cheapo welder will do.
You may have a bigger budget, and if so,, then buy a more expensive, higher quality wire feed or mig welder. I'm sure the rule of thumb with tools applies, better quality tools make the work easier. But if you don't, the low ball welder can build a bike, easy enough for a total novice with welding like me to do it.
