Welding Questions

[Slabsides45]

I don't weld-let me get that outta the way first. I've stick welded a couple scrap pieces together with my wife's late grandfather, and that was fun for us both (me because I was welding, him because I was welding in flip flops... ). But outside of that, no serious welding.

That said, I just bought a welder. A friend had a Miller Maxstar 150 STH kit, in very good condition, that I can get in a couple weeks. The price? $250.00.

Soooo.... Now that I'm getting a welder, a few questions:

-is this a pretty decent machine?
-is the buy as good as I think it was?
-any of the Memphis crew wanna do some charity instruction on the basics of welding?

 

[fj40charles]

I don't weld-let me get that outta the way first. I've stick welded a couple scrap pieces together with my wife's late grandfather, and that was fun for us both (me because I was welding, him because I was welding in flip flops... ). But outside of that, no serious welding.

That said, I just bought a welder. A friend had a Miller Maxstar 150 STH kit, in very good condition, that I can get in a couple weeks. The price? $250.00.

Soooo.... Now that I'm getting a welder, a few questions:

-is this a pretty decent machine?
-is the buy as good as I think it was?
-any of the Memphis crew wanna do some charity instruction on the basics of welding?

Great price. "H" option is for High frequency start for Tig welding. Nice little 115/230v DC stick/tig welder.

I would sell it for a large profit and get a wire feeder.

Does it look like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/Miller-Maxstar-...90297830788?pt=BI_Welders&hash=item5adf904584

Manual here:
http://www.millerwelds.com/om/o2242y_mil.pdf

 

[Slabsides45]

That's exactly what it looks like. Seems to have everything with it, though some reading since my first post indicates that you'll want to have a foot pedal to better control the initial arc.

You're the second one that has said to sell it and take the profits to use otherwise. The other guy said to use the profits to have whatever I want welded for the rest of my life, but I don't think he realized just how many things I can come up with to weld...

Got a recommendation for another (better suited) welder? By wire feeder, you mean MIG?

 

[Bossman]

I'm a big fan of getting at least the basics of stick welding down before you move upto mig. The foot petal is generally for Tig and I'm no expert there.

 

[fj40charles]

That's exactly what it looks like. Seems to have everything with it, though some reading since my first post indicates that you'll want to have a foot pedal to better control the initial arc.

You're the second one that has said to sell it and take the profits to use otherwise. The other guy said to use the profits to have whatever I want welded for the rest of my life, but I don't think he realized just how many things I can come up with to weld...

Got a recommendation for another (better suited) welder? By wire feeder, you mean MIG?

Yes, buy a 230V mig welder. You should be able to sell the Maxstar for over $1000 if it is complete and in good condition. What are the first 2 letters of the serial #?

Your needs will depend on access to 230v power and/or space requirements. Something like a Millermatic 212 or Lincoln powermig 215 would be nice to have. If you don't require as much power and need portability, get a Millematic 211 or Hobart 210.

 

[fj40charles]

I'm a big fan of getting at least the basics of stick welding down before you move upto mig. The foot petal is generally for Tig and I'm no expert there.

I say let them learn to weld using rod and Oxygen and Acetylene.. Doesn't get more basic than that.

 

[Jordan7118]

Charles, you are intense! I've welded with rod and oxy-acetylene torch - it's not a lot of fun! Learned on stick, and I agree that's the way to start.

I have a Hobart Handler 187, and it has done all that I have asked. Was very reasonably priced. I'm not sure you'll really need anything bigger than that, but if it's essentially a $250 investment, may as well get all that you can handle!

 

[Bossman]

I say let them learn to weld using rod and Oxygen and Acetylene.. Doesn't get more basic than that.

You mocking me? That is actually how I first learned to weld. Back in the day they actually had us gas welding in Jr High shop class. Then the USAF made sure I could melt metal too. Though I seldom stick weld anymore I still think it is an important skill. A mig weld done wrong can look great but have no penetration.

 

[Jordan7118]

Though I seldom stick weld anymore I still think it is an important skill. A mig weld done wrong can look great but have no penetration.

Agreed.

 

[fj40charles]

You mocking me? That is actually how I first learned to weld. Back in the day they actually had us gas welding in Jr High shop class. Then the USAF made sure I could melt metal too. Though I seldom stick weld anymore I still think it is an important skill. A mig weld done wrong can look great but have no penetration.

YES SIR!!!!!! I'm mocking you... I learned how to weld using O/A torch in high school.

You learned how to make weld puddles and dip the rod in. Get it too hot and it weld puddle explodes.

Stick welding is very important skill. Many people said it would go away when the "squirt" welders (aka wire feeders) came along. There are many advantages of stick welding where a wire welder will not work... rusty, oily metals, outside work, stadium welding where the power supply is 200 feet away, underwater welding, etc.,

Mig welding allows you to make a pretty weld which may not have any penetration. You just end up welding on top of the base metal without actually melting the base metal. Stick welding may not get the best looking beads for most people, but less chance of not having good penetration with stick. If you're going to stick weld, I would use a DC power supply. Much better than AC stick welding.

 

[fj40charles]

Charles, you are intense! I've welded with rod and oxy-acetylene torch - it's not a lot of fun! Learned on stick, and I agree that's the way to start.

I have a Hobart Handler 187, and it has done all that I have asked. Was very reasonably priced. I'm not sure you'll really need anything bigger than that, but if it's essentially a $250 investment, may as well get all that you can handle!

Learning how to weld using O/A torch will be very useful for tig welding since the technique is very similar.

I say get the biggest welder you can afford (within reason). Hobart Handler 187 is an excellent welder capable for most of our welding needs. If you plan on doing spray transfer or aluminum, I'd look for a fullsize welder as your second/third/or 4th welder.

 

[Bossman]

YES SIR!!!!!! If you're going to stick weld, I would use a DC power supply. Much better than AC stick welding.

Agreed. DC-, a good quality dry rod, proper bevel/gap, and clean base metal and you can get some great quality welds. And, as you said, nothing beats a 6011 for welding rusty, oily, painted, whatever metal quick and dirty. Just today at work I was helping my maintenance guy do some fairly serious repair to the ICC bumper and rear floor framework on a 53" dry van. Welder of choice was a soft start DC machine with 6011 rods. MIG has it's place but nothing beats stick for structural welds IMHO.

Back to the original question though. I say keep it for a few months and learn the basics of stick welding then sell it and buy the best MIG you can afford. I use a Miller 220v DVI unit and love it. One of the best investments I ever made unlike the plasma cutter that is still sitting in the corner of my living room cause I just can't bring myself to carry it out to the shop.

 

[fj40charles]

I use a Miller 220v DVI unit and love it. One of the best investments I ever made unlike the plasma cutter that is still sitting in the corner of my living room cause I just can't bring myself to carry it out to the shop.

Are you saying guys that use their plasma cutters all the time do it because they don't know how to weld?
Maybe their rod is not big enough to fill the gap?

 

[Bodean]

Damn Boss Man, does Lenny know you haven't even opened the plasma? The boy loves his as you already know.

 

[wngrog]

Will someone please derail this thread? 14 posts and they are all on topic.....

 

[MEMCruiser]

Anybody want to show me how to weld if I get the 4x4 labs bumper kit for my cruiser?

 

[Bodean]

Got a buddy that sells Thermal Arc welders. Holla if you want the hook up. Nice machines.
http://www.thermadyne.com/thermalarc

 

[Jordan7118]

Anybody want to show me how to weld if I get the 4x4 labs bumper kit for my cruiser?

I can show you how, but having you weld decent may be a different story

What welder do you have? I was a TA for a welding class last year, so I have a few tricks up my sleeve

 

[Slabsides45]

It occurs to me after reading your posts that I could do the unthinkable, and sell the "new" welder for enough profit to pay for most of the costs of a new ARB for my LX. THAT, gents, is a temptation.....

 

[Jordan7118]

It occurs to me after reading your posts that I could do the unthinkable, and sell the "new" welder for enough profit to pay for most of the costs of a new ARB for my LX. THAT, gents, is a temptation.....

Ruh roh...