The welders thread (1 Viewer)

[MrMoMo]

Just picked up an Eastwood 200A AC/DC TIG welder. Regular $850, I got it for $750, then Black Friday it was on for $699 and free shipping (DOH!). Pulled it out of the box and started playing with it tonight. I have not yet wired a 240V plug for it, so this was only running from a 120V 15A regular plug. Was able to lay down a few beads on some 6061 1" box tube, 1/8" wall. Played with a few settings on the machine, and I need more practice, but the machine is great!!

 

[Tapage]

those looks pretty good .. but sure you are not a newbie

 

[MrMoMo]

those looks pretty good .. but sure you are not a newbie

Well, depends on your definition of newbie... (Creo que tengo unas 10-15 horas experencia con aluminio y TIG...)

 

[Diesel Cruiserman]

Mm210 when I had a garage and / or worked in a shop.

Hobart140 w flux core when I had to throw it in a truck and go places.

Mm175 I borrowed for a few months after I sold the mm210

Currently Hobart 190.View attachment 943726View attachment 943728 View attachment 943729View attachment 943731

You should try harder with your welds and get those beads a little more uneven, run a little high then low on the steele for a more artistic outcome...run the machine a bit cold and make those welds nice and round.. Just a few tips..

 

[Tapage]

Well, depends on your definition of newbie... (Creo que tengo unas 10-15 horas experencia con aluminio y TIG...)

That with a pro a tu lado .. so not newbie ..

Practica ! so you can share some that knowledge later down here ..

 

[Booger weldz]

You should try harder with your welds and get those beads a little more uneven, run a little high then low on the steele for a more artistic outcome...run the machine a bit cold and make those welds nice and round.. Just a few tips..

Lol, For sure! Sorry to dissappoint

 

[hairy_apple]

Finally was able to afford a real welder. Just got home with my new toy..er... tool. Now I just have to figure out how to get it out of the truck so I can start welding stuff.

 

[MrMoMo]

Very nice! You'll have to weld yourself up a cherry picker or ramp so you can un-load it!

 

[hairy_apple]

Nieghbor came home and helped me unload it. Got it all set up and ready to start welding... and my wife got home and we're off to a New Years party. DOH. Tomorrow I'll build stuff!

 

[UnderDawg]

Finally was able to afford a real welder. Just got home with my new toy..er... tool. Now I just have to figure out how to get it out of the truck so I can start welding stuff.

Excellent choice sir!!! Years and years of service there.

 

[hairy_apple]

Yep. Been lusting after one for a while, used both the Miller and the Lincoln and loved them both, but the Lincoln edged out the Miller mostly because it had the 110 outlets on the back. SUPER useful and pushed me over the edge for the Lincoln. Awesome feature.

I did get it hooked up today, and ran a few runs just to dial it in. I have some weekend projects lined up so I'll really get some use out of it this weekend.

 

[UnderDawg]

Nice set up Apple... like the name too.. clever. Lets see some passes when you get a chance.

 

[MrMoMo]

And a torchmate! Sheesh, nothing stopping you now!

 

[firestopper]

Very nice addition to your shop capabilities.

 

[Tapage]

And a torchmate! Sheesh, nothing stopping you now!

When I saw it, thought .. and he was after a real welder .. I would keep myself busy enough with that alone ..

 

[MrMoMo]

For anyone curious about the performance of that Eastwood AC/DC TIG... I'm loving it! I did a little stainless, and a bunch more aluminum - almost gone through a bottle of argon and have not had one issue with the machine! It has an overheat light - never come on. I've been running it pretty much flat out for the aluminum and no issues with duty cycle at all - and I'm not babying it. Now, Im also not welding 3' at a time, usually only an inch or two - but you don't really want to go more than that at a time anyway - unless you're trying to weld a pretzel ;cD

Putting together the new roof rack for my 80;

Oh, and FWIW, Eastwood gave me a $50 refund for the price drop!

 

[hairy_apple]

Here is today's project. Coming out pretty nice so far. I am going to wait to cut the center out for a winch, since I think I might have to offset the winch over a little to the passenger side to clear the PS box. I haven't been able to find a nice 8274 locally... so I will just do this for now, and once I have a winch I will finish. I plan to cut out the slot for the cable to come through, and then box in the inside, so dirt and water and junk won't end up inside the tube. Keep it a sealed up. Should be rad. At least for now, I have a nice clean bumper with safe tow points.

 

[UnderDawg]

Here is today's project. Coming out pretty nice so far. I am going to wait to cut the center out for a winch, since I think I might have to offset the winch over a little to the passenger side to clear the PS box. I haven't been able to find a nice 8274 locally... so I will just do this for now, and once I have a winch I will finish. I plan to cut out the slot for the cable to come through, and then box in the inside, so dirt and water and junk won't end up inside the tube. Keep it a sealed up. Should be rad. At least for now, I have a nice clean bumper with safe tow points.

Looks good apple. I love the simplicity of the 40, I miss that. Bumper looks strong and after you make your remaining cuts it will look factory. Keep it up.

 

[Stevesnj]

So i finally bought a welder and I went through Craigslist for months looking for one, the advantage of CL is the ability to actually see in person what you are buying. I ended up finding a Lincoln Pro-Mig 140 (not HD). I dunno what the differences are between non HD and HD are but this welds great! I purchased it for $320 and traveled 15 miles to get it. The seller works at a Tires Plus and i met him there to make the deal. It is used but not heavily. I replaced the power and ground cable and clamp. I used a clamp from an old set of jumper cables I never used. I also cleaned the exterior and got a velcro strap for the cables and it came with the gas regulator. I also need to use an extension cord and searching around I purchased 30' of 3 conductor 10/3 SOOW cable. All in all I so far I got a good deal. I say if you are looking for a welder and not in a rush and don't need new then search on CL, Ebay, etc.. It was worth the wait. Any questions will gladly be answered and hope this helps someone out

Extension wire info; 30' 3 Conductor 10/3 SOOW graded for abrasion and water resistance. $47 on Ebay free shipping which was the deal maker for me. Others wanted $50 plus shipping. Use this description in search in case the link goes dead; 10/3 SOOW SO Cord 30 ft HD USA Portable Outdoor Indoor 600 V Flexible Wire cable

http://www.ebay.com/itm/10-3-SOOW-S...755?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5d39e22e03

10/3 SOOW Wire

Jumper cable clamp to replace the not so good OEM clamp.

 

[MrMoMo]

Nice score, but what's with that nozzle? Looks like the contact tip is sticking out 3/4 of an inch past the nozzle? Won't get good gas coverage like that - if you can adjust it, see if you can get it to within about 1/8" of the end of the nozzle.