@aztoyman and @e9999 That is what I needed to hear. Thank you. and @PIP had no idea about that cylinder size. So yeah, CO2 for now, and then I'll buy a nice big 125cu ft cylinder later.
Once again, I sincerely appreciate all this. I'm going to stop thinking about it for now :D
I can swap my 20 pound CO2 bottle for about $45.
AR/CO2: 55cuft cylinder 268.80 + gas 26.23+tax out the door = 328.57
I'm paying a lot for the cylinder itself. I can trim $100 off that if I buy one on Amazon, which I'm fairly hesitant to do.
So, I'm buying CO2 to learn MIG on the cheap. I could use my stick welder for my current project, but that's not the direction I chose to go. As for the regulator, it gets far better reviews than the sub-$30 junk on amazon.
When I get ready to do body work, I'll upgrade to AR/CO2 for sure.
Nope, nothing wrong with stick. I still love my stick welder, and the new welder can do stick too. But MIG is a lot better on thing stuff, which is something I want to expand to. Body work etc.
And can you elaborate on what you mean about the "tack stacking" of MIG welds being a bad trend? I...
Thanks again all. I have a HF card so I'll just pick up this guy:
https://www.harborfreight.com/co2argon-flow-gauge-regulator-58468.html
Then $40 later I'll have my CO2 bottle and can get going. I know it won't be as good as AR/CO2 but it'll be a lot better than stick, all the same. It just...
Thanks everyone for the input. The more I look at it, for as little as I weld, I think I want to start with CO2. I don't think that it's a bad way to go, because AR/CO2 will only be easier, should I upgrade. And the same regulator etc can be used. And there's the added benefit of being able to...
Hey everyone,
It's been quite some time since I've posted here, but there's not a community I trust more for questions like this :)
I've been stick welding for a few years off and on and I just picked up Yeswelder 205 DS and intend to use it for MIG welding. I'm shopping for a cylinder of gas...
This has been really eye opening. THANK YOU for all the replies! I didn't even think to check on the welder for amperage needs. Turns out 20A at 220 is enough for the full 160A output. That should be enough for 1/4" according to what I've read here. Also very interesting about MIG vs Stick...
Thanks 2mbb. I really liked your method of bolting the shackle mounts direct to the frame, rather than relying on the welds. Then the bumper does bumpery things and the shackle mounts can send the load right to the frame. Great idea man. That might account for a lot of it right there tbh. Thanks...
Hey everyone,
I am a beginner fabricator. I have built projects like a recumbent trike for myself, but haven't really applied my welding... uh... "skills" to my truck (88 Burb) yet. I'd like to be able to do things like bumpers and winch mounts. Probably from flat pack kits at first. But, I'd...
There is just so much epic info in this thread-THANK YOU! I sincerely appreciate you all. I have some ideas now. I definitely am not pushing hard enough and I'm also going way too fast I'm sure. So, push hard, slow down, use sharp bits. Love it.
Take care and if I run into issues, I know where...
Honestly I hadn't given it much thought. The frame is 3/16" and from what I understood that was enough. I don't think a stiffening plate would be a big deal. Thanks for the advice. I think I probably don't push hard enough on it, or the drill bit is dull.
Is there any kind of drill bit that I...
Hey all, I'm terrible at drilling. I don't know what it is, but I tend to just kill drill bits. I see fab shops on youtube just chuck in a bit, hit the drill at full speed and go through 1/4" mild steel like it's nothing. Nope, not me. I end up with a smoldering hot divot and a dull bit.
What...
I don't know about Carson City but in Reno, Johns Springs on Sunshine Lane will do it. Its been years since I've looked into it though, back in my leaning FJ55 days.
One of the things about telling a good story is leaving out the boring parts and telling only the exciting parts- to a point. The characters have to be acting at "maximum capacity" all the time. That's why you never hear about superman going to the bathroom- nobody cares. This story is chock...