DIY welding

[bikersmurf]

I have two welders because I’m not a professional and I’m cheep. Both mine are Lincoln only because I got them both for under 1000$ and two because it covers the entire range of what I weld.

One I have Is a Lincoln 180 because It can take a spool gun essential for welding aluminum. It’s also great for light metal.

The second is a Lincoln stick welder and I have that for welding anything 1/8 inch and thicker. It’s great plenty of heat.


i also have an irrational fear of the combination units that one part will go wrong and the whole unit will be scrap even though I haven’t heard of that ever happening.

Regarding house fires and insurance I have no idea but definitely build a cart so you can easily wheel it outside to work. It’s better to weld outside less flux fumes and smoke, just doesn’t work well in the rain, a bit shocky. You can come check out my weld table cart anytime.
View attachment 2502192

I was think those plates on the top of your cart are really fancy and would take a lot of effort to make... then I remembered what you do. Are they salvaged elevator parts? Or what scrap pile did you find them in?
My mig cart still needs much work... to much

 

[seapotato]

Sounds to me like you just need something basic to work for the odd project or repair just get something cheep that works with a gas shield and stick to what you know. Also why is everyone using argon for steel?? Use co2 for steel!! Argon is for aluminum.

Haha in my case, too cheap for 2 bottles and I used to weld a lot of aluminum.

 

[bikersmurf]

Sounds to me like you just need something basic to work for the odd project or repair just get something cheep that works with a gas shield and stick to what you know. Also why is everyone using argon for steel?? Use co2 for steel!! Argon is for aluminum.

My new tank that I bought privately came prefilled with Argon. It was much cheaper than the same tank from KMS.

My alternate tanks have helium (which the kids like for balloons), and unidentified mystery gas. So far I’ve determined it’s odourless, heavier than air, and inflammable. I’ve not tried welding with it yet... nor comparing the weight of a balloon filled with it to that of a balloon of Argon. Mystery gas balloons sink like a stone... whereas helium float. I believe argon also sink... but it’s been a while.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I just exchange the brown bottle for another one. I thought it was an argon/mix.
So would I get better welds with CO2? What gas should I get for regular steel
welding then?

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

I run a Lincoln Electric 175Plus. When I bought it I saw one in every fab shop I visited.
As compared to the 180’s is just has infinite power, not
segmented. If you have 220 then you are set. As you remember I finally decided against
the aluminum stuff as the power requirements are too high. Welding aluminum needs
dedicated higher constant power than simple steel welding.
Obviously, I’ve welded everything from 1/2” on down. It does fantastic sheet metal spot
welds. I run .030 for general welding, .023 for sheet metal.
If you want to borrow mine you are welcome, I just put new rollers on the feed.
I’ve always had the small Argon bottle, just exchange for around $75. I had old BX 6 ga
house cable when we rebuilt and made a 50’ extension cord. With my 50’ 8 ga cab tire
I can weld 100’ away without power loss.

Hey Jon, thanks very much. This is the level of welder I'm looking for. I already can borrow welding equipment from UVic, but thanks for your offer. I really would like to invest in my own setup so I don't have to worry about wrecking someone else's gear. Also for the convenience factor and ability to put in the time learning.

Extn cord is a good idea; that is one thing I'll have to put together too so I can reach outside.

 

[stevebradford]

I was think those plates on the top of your cart are really fancy and would take a lot of effort to make... then I remembered what you do. Are they salvaged elevator parts? Or what scrap pile did you find them in?
My mig cart still needs much work... to much

Yes that is all extra metal from work. The table top did take a bunch of time to drill but it was worth the effort. That’s extra elevator counterweight biscuit and I drilled the holes for a super convenient drop in clamp system.

I like to save as much steel from the recycler as I can.

I’m no expert but for weld gas I use.

Steel, CO2.
Stainless, CO2 Argon Helium mix.
Aluminum, pure argon only.

 

[seapotato]

I’m no expert but for weld gas I use.

Steel, CO2.
Stainless, CO2 Argon Helium mix.
Aluminum, pure argon only.

It's funny, back in my boatyard days we only had argon. Rationale being, you could weld anything with it. Keep it simple for the monkeys

So when I got a welder that's what I did for years too. It was fine, but the welds tend to stay proud so not the greatest for bodywork.

The mix they sell at Air Liquide is what I have now. I'd like to have a second bottle tho.

I'm no expert either. I often go months without welding so now having the easy gas and the easy button on the welder is good.

 

[slowandsteady BJ]

I use a blend for mild steel (argoshield / blueshield) or whatever its called. Its a CO2 Argon mix. Straight CO2 is fine and cheaper, the CO2 will give a more aggressive weld with deeper bite/dig. Great for heavy stuff and the weld will burn through impurities better. The idea of the blend (addition of argon) is to calm the weld and make things more user friendly. Its the way to go for people learning for sure and its not that much more money, a couple of bucks per bottle. I use it because its nicer, spits less and works much better for thin material like bodywork but it'll do heavy as well.

Argon for stainless and aluminum.

Two bottles are enough for me.

Dont be scared of old Mig welders, I have a miller 140 from the 80's. Its very simple but has NEVER giving an issue. It must have done a million little stich welds and then had the full beans welding 1/4 in one mega pass after Ive had too many beers. Its never complained.

My TIG is a Miller Syncrowave 1000. Its nice and does what I want. It has digital readouts and is idiot-proof for the most part. The one thing I've come to lust for is an inverter machine. I'm really seeing the benefits with them, like being able to point the tungsten on aluminum, run different tungsten and weld thin aluminum like its nothing. They are also so modest on power consumption meaning they don't need a 60amp breaker. I run a 40 amp breaker on my tig but I can pop it at 180amps.

Rambling over.
Welding is awesome.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Yeah, I remember popping for a Hypertherm Plasma cutter when I did the bumpers.
Could easily bought a full made bumper with swing outs and everything for the cost,
what’s the fun in that?! I see the flaws in my bumper. But it’s sure cool that when the spare wheel
hub finally vibrates apart because I forgot to gusset it and I have to drive 80 kms back up the highway
to Tuk to find it lying in the tundra, that I appreciate doing it my self!

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Welding is awesome.

You really need another cruiser project Cam.

 

[bikersmurf]

I call dibs

 

[seapotato]

I call dibs

Just dibs in general or for something specific?

 

[bikersmurf]

I’ve got several cruiser related welding projects he can do (for me)... if he’s bored and looking for things to do that is.

 

[cruisedeisel]

Just wait for the Lincoln 180 migpack to come on sale at Canadian tire. I think they go as low as $599. I run .35 wire. it does body work and 1/2 plate. 220volt. I love it!

 

[PeeZed]

Just wait for the Lincoln 180 migpack to come on sale at Canadian tire. I think they go as low as $599. I run .35 wire. it does body work and 1/2 plate. 220volt. I love it!

@GTSSportCoupe. This is what I run with BlueShield gas. I did my entire 60 series swap project with it, from body panels to frame repairs.

Preparation is HUGE, and making sure you set things up for good penetration for things like the frame are important.

I bought a little stick welder...haven't touched it yet tbh because that Lincoln weldpac 180 just seems to do it all for me.

I have not attempted aluminum.

You'll need a 30amp, 240volt supply (no neutral). So if you've got a dryer plug close by you can build a transition receptacle to plug in and make a 3-wire connection for your welder quite easily.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

@GTSSportCoupe. This is what I run with BlueShield gas. I did my entire 60 series swap project with it, from body panels to frame repairs.

Preparation is HUGE, and making sure you set things up for good penetration for things like the frame are important.

I bought a little stick welder...haven't touched it yet tbh because that Lincoln weldpac 180 just seems to do it all for me.

I have not attempted aluminum.

You'll need a 30amp, 240volt supply (no neutral). So if you've got a dryer plug close by you can build a transition receptacle to plug in and make a 3-wire connection for your welder quite easily.

Hey PeeZed, thanks for the advice. I do have a 125A 220V available at the back of my shop (runs to my boiler). I might try to look into a legit way to put in a sub panel or something so I can switch from furnace use to shop plug (with proper breakers etc.).

 

[Rigpig]

Like Cam, i've got an old Miller 140 (110V) and it burns hot, great little machine. I've got an older Lincoln 175SP(220V) and its been a fantastic machine as well. Great for thin body work, hot enough for bumpers etc...
Let me know when you find your welder, i've got a bunch of new cabtire for your extension cord. Trying to make room in my shop.

 

[cruiserpilot]

Hey PeeZed, thanks for the advice. I do have a 125A 220V available at the back of my shop (runs to my boiler). I might try to look into a legit way to put in a sub panel or something so I can switch from furnace use to shop plug (with proper breakers etc.).

You really have 125A 220V? Holy crap, you could hook up an aluminum TIG and run it all day long.
Quit your day job, stay home and make cool aluminum crap that the rest of us can’t!!

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Like Cam, i've got an old Miller 140 (110V) and it burns hot, great little machine. I've got an older Lincoln 175SP(220V) and its been a fantastic machine as well. Great for thin body work, hot enough for bumpers etc...
Let me know when you find your welder, i've got a bunch of new cabtire for your extension cord. Trying to make room in my shop.

Thanks very much; I'd be happy to buy that cable off ya!

And thanks for sharing your welding setup. I'm starting to pick-up a bit of a trend in this thread. Definitely confirms what I need to look for.

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

You really have 125A 220V? Holy crap, you could hook up an aluminum TIG and run it all day long.
Quit your day job, stay home and make cool aluminum crap that the rest of us can’t!!

Yup, runs a 24kW boiler most of the time.

I'd really like to try TIG sometime. Takes a lot of time and effort to learn though apparently.