Portable Welders
- Thread starter Scott_sFZJ80
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There is one more option: GoWeld http://www.goweld.com/ This is like the Cadillac Ready Welder, it does have the price tag for it too.
Personally I like something portable and not tied to a truck requiring it to be running. I also use a MIG welder all the time so completely suck with an ARC welder. Ya I need to work on my universal skills. I just like tossing it truck to truck and as its been pointed out you can simply hand someone the case and they fix their own junk. I also loan the thing out when I can’t go on a run and no one else has a welder on board. My personal RW is going to Moab w/o me this weekend. I also set the thing up and use it in the shop as a second MIG welder when needed. (Set up dedicated .023 solid core for sheet metal)
Of all the options out there the best one I like is the GoWeld. This is do to the construction and operation control.
“Ya but Mark you are a Ready Welder dealer!”
Yes I am, the draw back with the GoWeld is its almost 2x the price of a Ready Welder! $800 is the going price for the things in general.
If you have the $ to spend get a GoWeld. If not for $420 the RW does a great job and great value.
I am not overly happy with the RW Company due to their lack of dealer support. Fortunately this does not spill over to the guys buying/using their stuff. They continue to have great end user support. Don’t be surprised if you see the RW info on my site turn to GoWeld.
Mark
Personally I like something portable and not tied to a truck requiring it to be running. I also use a MIG welder all the time so completely suck with an ARC welder. Ya I need to work on my universal skills. I just like tossing it truck to truck and as its been pointed out you can simply hand someone the case and they fix their own junk. I also loan the thing out when I can’t go on a run and no one else has a welder on board. My personal RW is going to Moab w/o me this weekend. I also set the thing up and use it in the shop as a second MIG welder when needed. (Set up dedicated .023 solid core for sheet metal)
Of all the options out there the best one I like is the GoWeld. This is do to the construction and operation control.
“Ya but Mark you are a Ready Welder dealer!”
Yes I am, the draw back with the GoWeld is its almost 2x the price of a Ready Welder! $800 is the going price for the things in general.
If you have the $ to spend get a GoWeld. If not for $420 the RW does a great job and great value.
I am not overly happy with the RW Company due to their lack of dealer support. Fortunately this does not spill over to the guys buying/using their stuff. They continue to have great end user support. Don’t be surprised if you see the RW info on my site turn to GoWeld.
Mark
We have had a Ready Welder for several years. While its done an okay job, it has also broken in the field several times requiiring mcgyver like repairs to get working again...
On the very first use one of the bearings in the feed wheels siezed. Amazingly I had one with a slightly smaller OD from a clock project that we were able to jury rig until a replacement could come from Ready Welder. We had pretty constant jamming problems with it compared to our Miller MIG spool guns, in general the wire routing through the gun just seems poorly thought out.
At Burning Man last year the feed mechanism broke down again and had to be field repaired. cant say if we got a bad unit or what, but in general for a device that is made for outback like environments, I dont think its made right.
I do like how the spool is below the grip making it easier to get the tip into spots most spool guns cant get to. And when its working it did a pretty good job overall. We always wanted finer power control. i think the ideal set up would be a sries of six 6v gel cells where you could turn on each battery to shift from 18v-36v easily giving you nice control for thin and thick material...
I agree the Poser on the portable welder of choice... we have a Miller Trailblazer with/push pull gun, chiller, and hi-freq allowing for stick, mig and tig in the field.... And you get a 10kw powersource out of the deal to plug in your plasma cutter
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/enginedriven/trailblazer_302/
On the very first use one of the bearings in the feed wheels siezed. Amazingly I had one with a slightly smaller OD from a clock project that we were able to jury rig until a replacement could come from Ready Welder. We had pretty constant jamming problems with it compared to our Miller MIG spool guns, in general the wire routing through the gun just seems poorly thought out.
At Burning Man last year the feed mechanism broke down again and had to be field repaired. cant say if we got a bad unit or what, but in general for a device that is made for outback like environments, I dont think its made right.
I do like how the spool is below the grip making it easier to get the tip into spots most spool guns cant get to. And when its working it did a pretty good job overall. We always wanted finer power control. i think the ideal set up would be a sries of six 6v gel cells where you could turn on each battery to shift from 18v-36v easily giving you nice control for thin and thick material...
I agree the Poser on the portable welder of choice... we have a Miller Trailblazer with/push pull gun, chiller, and hi-freq allowing for stick, mig and tig in the field.... And you get a 10kw powersource out of the deal to plug in your plasma cutter
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/enginedriven/trailblazer_302/
Last edited:
- Joined
- Apr 25, 2005
- Messages
- 229
can you buy the century anymore? I was thinking of getting one as I hate the "must have the vehicle running" syndrome.
I found nothing at the usual suspects, northern tool, harbour, google.
j
I found nothing at the usual suspects, northern tool, harbour, google.
j
i have portable welder stand alone unit. it runs off jumper box style battery at 24v with wire feed spool, the wire is always hot when on. uses flux core wire. i am selling it, paid over 400 asking 200. it is a solar brand but i don't have a picture or a manufacture web site. risavi@hotmail.com
Used my Ready Welder last night. Very happy with it.
I use Frymans FOrd Alternator. Sort of like the Pirate welder but it went something like this.
I see it on the net
I call fryaman and tell him to just put the thin on his truck
All he has is an extra alrenator and a switch to excite the field. No fance parts Volltage Ragulator is the person holding the gas pedle.
It also runs the grinder off of about 8 inches of wire hooked to a plug and the ends striped and clamped on with the welding leads
He did this after we battery welded his kuckle back together in Rubicon Springs.
I see it on the net
I call fryaman and tell him to just put the thin on his truck
All he has is an extra alrenator and a switch to excite the field. No fance parts Volltage Ragulator is the person holding the gas pedle.
It also runs the grinder off of about 8 inches of wire hooked to a plug and the ends striped and clamped on with the welding leads
He did this after we battery welded his kuckle back together in Rubicon Springs.
zander said:
Call RW and tell them this. 800-WELD-MIG. They will fix it if its still under 2yrs since new. (100% parts and labor) If it’s the old model with the cooling slits on the side, they have a number of upgrades since then. Most likely they will offer you a newer one at a discount if you wanted it if this is the case.
Mark
I used both Jeremiah Proffitt's Ready Welder and Dave Brown's Premier at CM05 (THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU). While I liked the portability of the Ready Welder I was happier with the weld quality of the Premier. I have a Mobi-arc in my office which is inching closer to being installed. The Ready Welder is the way to go if you don't have stick welding experience.
Trainrech
Get that stupid thing installed already! I am sick of having to borrow welders at events and you need to practice more! You took way too long welding my shock mount at MOab! 
What do we need? An alternator stilll?
Get that stupid thing installed already! I am sick of having to borrow welders at events and you need to practice more! You took way too long welding my shock mount at MOab! What do we need? An alternator stilll?
coiled40gary
76 FJ40; TLCA#6227
I have the Zena. Bought it some time ago, finally installed it, but still have to wire it up. I keep getting distracted. Currently distracted by a rear control arm that broke; trying to get it back on the road again...
Getting hard to remember why I chose it in the first place, but a couple things I remember...
It is its own generator, seperate from the vehicle alternator, I installed it so I can easily pop the drive belt on and off, so I don't wear it out not using it.
Completely isolated from the vehicle and it's electricals, I can weld on the truck without worries.
All self contained, no box to mount, which is important to me because I keep the fenders clear for easy removal for engine servicing.
All the controls are on the stinger.
A "boost" button on the stinger, allowing for higher current to strike the arc, then releasing the button returns to the set welding current.
Automatic truck throttle control.
And if their claims are correct, it should weld too
. Hopefully,some day I will find out.
gary
Getting hard to remember why I chose it in the first place, but a couple things I remember...
It is its own generator, seperate from the vehicle alternator, I installed it so I can easily pop the drive belt on and off, so I don't wear it out not using it.
Completely isolated from the vehicle and it's electricals, I can weld on the truck without worries.
All self contained, no box to mount, which is important to me because I keep the fenders clear for easy removal for engine servicing.
All the controls are on the stinger.
A "boost" button on the stinger, allowing for higher current to strike the arc, then releasing the button returns to the set welding current.
Automatic truck throttle control.
And if their claims are correct, it should weld too
. Hopefully,some day I will find out.gary
orangefj45
Supporting Vendor
i have a PPW for isabel and will be using it in combination with a ready welder 1000 like poser. pretty sweet setup.
and nolan is absolutely right. once word gets out that you have an onboard welder, you ain't gettin any sleep.
and nolan is absolutely right. once word gets out that you have an onboard welder, you ain't gettin any sleep.
