Just bought a M12 impact driver and drill combo. They seem pretty decent for the size and weight but I haven't used them much to report on battery life. I like them enough to add more M12 bare tools to the set. Especially since there are some specialty plumbing tools that I could use
My Hilti...
All those type of tools are pretty much a joke, I've got a Mityvac that is pretty much worthless.
The positive pressure tank style bleeders or syringe style are the best bet. They are pricey and you need the proper adapter fittings for each vehicle but well worth the money. I have borrowed a...
"The Bone" are pretty cool but a bitch to crawl out of, I've got a Craftsman Pro series that has huge rubber caster that roll over gravel, which is usually the covering of our shop floor. Definitely not the best choice for low clearance vehicles but great if you have space.
I built an extension cord for mine with parts from the local supply shop. A 4" or larger steel box works well for the female plug of the cord. A little bulky but bulletproof.
Nice!
My Miller 251 is a cart - without any place for all the s*** that needs to go with it! I always need a pair of pliers and a place to keep the splatter spray. If you're gonna do aluminum then you need a quarantine area for brushes and grinder discs. Couple of rod storage tubes maybe...
Seems like you are always looking for a "deal" - a neighbor bought a Century 110v years ago, it was all he could afford. He is the most talented mechanic/gunsmith/machinist that I know and his brother is an electrical engineer. Between the two of them they can almost keep it going enough to...
Nice! I like blue welders!
What are the specs on that thing and what do you use for a power source. Our old, old TIG was pretty wimpy when it came to anything more than very thinwall aluminum irrigation pipe. Tried to fix our aluminum stock trailer and it kinda just whimpered...
The basics are the same with all methods - you heat some metal, make it into a puddle, then repeat. Delivery method of the heat and puddle are the only differences between all weld processes if you get right down to it.
I think you are making a wise choice with the TIG class, the theory and...
If you are simply interested in learning the concept and using the school's machines then go for the TIG classes. TIG is much more difficult than MIG and requires more attention to detail in terms of setup and prep and is much more labor intensive and slower in production than MIG.
If you are...
Wow - do you really want to go through all this to get set up for a welder you don't really need?
1. You live in SoCal - correct?
2. You need a permit to do anything, I'm surprised they let you mow your own lawn but I digresss...
3. Do you have 200A+ service from the power company?
4...
Yes - with some of the 240v machines you only have a series of 'taps' to adjust the heat range, the newer versions like the 251 have an infinite control on the power and feed rate so you can really fine tune for small stuff. I've never used anything besides .035 wire in mine but a smaller wire...
I've got the same one, treated myself to a Christmas present/writeoff and it is one of the best investments I've ever made in terms of tools and I only buy good tools. I used a Millermatic 210 for a while and the 251 is in a class of its own. Hard to justify for a garage mechanic unless you've...
I doubt that your single pass welds on 1/4" material would pass any tests. You are basically at max capacity and close to zero duty cycle on those machines and I wouldn't trust any of those welds on a structural or recovery/extraction point on your vehicle. For sheet metal work, or welding up...
We have used the predecessor to the Bobcat with an Onan gas two cylinder for twenty years and just had the machine rebuilt last year. I wouldn't hesitate at all about the gas engines on the Miller machines, you will likely never get enough use on the machine to know the difference. FWIW all...
Miller or Lincoln buzz box ~ $400
Any MIG machine in your price range isn't worth having.
O/A welding is impractical, too much warping in body work and not enought heat or penetration in big stuff.
Civilization...not sure how many people actually consider those areas "civilized"
I might do that, given the advice I just gave this other guy. Where are you at in the civilized territory?
FWIW - I'd rather have a higher amp rated machine with fewer power taps than the most high-tech 175 amp machine of any brand on the market. You can always go down in metal guage but you can't go up.
I'm planning on picking up a Miller 251 for our shop before the endo of the year - my...
We were gonna buy a new set of oxy/acy cylinders for the work truck and checked into buying the cylinders to save on ridiculous tank rent fees - ended up with a long term lease kinda thing on new cylinders was actually way cheaper than buying upfront.
I use mix gas on my Miller MIG - always...