Search found 39 matches

by Aaron W
Tue Jul 14, 2020 7:01 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Welding helmets with better vision
Replies: 66
Views: 8031

Re: Welding helmets with better vision

What is the deal with the split screen on the Lincoln helmet? Before striking an arc it looks normal, but once he started welding there is a distinct line down the middle of the screen. Only notice it on the Lincoln. The line you see and some of the blur on the 3350 in that video is due to how the ...
by Aaron W
Mon Jul 06, 2020 4:39 am
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Wearing Safety Glasses Under Hood - TIG Welding
Replies: 15
Views: 1535

Re: Wearing Safety Glasses Under Hood - TIG Welding

My safety glasses are cheaters, so I wear them for all welding.

It is actually kind of handy that I need them to see fine detail up close, a built in reminder to put them on if I haven't.
by Aaron W
Mon Jun 29, 2020 7:35 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: What welder to buy
Replies: 83
Views: 16637

Re: What welder to buy

Not to shill too hard for Miller, :mrgreen: but it is literally two welders in one, you can switch from MIG to either TIG or stick instantly just, put down one and pick up the other and it will go right to the last setting for that process. I can't think of a situation where I would really need to ...
by Aaron W
Mon Jun 29, 2020 6:57 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Auto dark glasses... why?
Replies: 14
Views: 1490

Re: Auto dark glasses... why?

Ok, with the mask that makes more sense, I guess that would be helpful if trying to fit your head into a tight space. I've been seeing them as side bar ads which don't show the mask, just the glasses. Out if context they keep making me think of those 3rd world welding videos you see of guys using re...
by Aaron W
Mon Jun 29, 2020 2:57 am
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Auto dark glasses... why?
Replies: 14
Views: 1490

Auto dark glasses... why?

Maybe this has been discussed and I just missed it. I've been seeing ads for auto darkening welding glasses. Who are these aimed at? Wouldn't this end up giving you a pretty good skiers tan? (face all red except where the glasses were). I mean I know we want to protect our eyes, but we wear the the ...
by Aaron W
Mon Jun 29, 2020 2:49 am
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: What welder to buy
Replies: 83
Views: 16637

Re: What welder to buy

quote="Alex Jordan"]Hello all, I just joined the group today to gather info. This thread seems very relevant to my research. Without hijacking the thread, how does the Miller Multimatic 220 hold up to the test of time? I know it has been out for 2 years now, I saw a positive response in th...
by Aaron W
Tue Jun 23, 2020 2:21 am
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Welding helmets with better vision
Replies: 66
Views: 8031

Re: Welding helmets with better vision

There is a video posted not too long ago by Oscar showing 3 or 4 different hoods, one of them may be the 3350, have to try and find that. In the mean time some things to try and improve the seeing is the lights as you suggested, also using reading glasses or the cheaters that can be inserted in a h...
by Aaron W
Sun Jun 21, 2020 7:06 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Welding helmets with better vision
Replies: 66
Views: 8031

Re: Welding helmets with better vision

I'm already doing some of those things, I wear cheaters under the hood and try to have a well lit work space although that could be improved. I think I will look into setting up some sort of portable lighting that can spotlight my work whether helmet mounted or something with a clamp or magnetic mou...
by Aaron W
Fri Jun 19, 2020 7:34 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Welding helmets with better vision
Replies: 66
Views: 8031

Welding helmets with better vision

I don't think I'm unique in having a harder time seeing what I'm doing as I get older. Being a hobbyist and fairly new to welding I don't have years of experience behind me to compensate. Anyway I have a Washington Alloy auto darkening helmet. My local welding supply suggested it as a decent budget ...
by Aaron W
Fri Jun 19, 2020 6:51 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: What welder to buy
Replies: 83
Views: 16637

Re: What welder to buy

I have a multiprocess machine, the Miller 220AC, I love it, a perfect machine for me and my tiny shop. That said I don't think a MP machine is the budget way to go about things, a MP machine is more about space budgeting, not saving money. The Miller 220 is $3000 US, if I just wanted to TIG I could ...
by Aaron W
Fri Nov 15, 2019 5:55 pm
Forum: Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans
Topic: Building a small toolbox wagon
Replies: 5
Views: 1931

Re: Building a small toolbox wagon

That is a neat and handy looking cart. Little projects like that are the kind of simple things I'm beginning to love owning a welder for and wonder how I got along without one for so long. I've got a garden cart from Tractor Supply that has been used way beyond paying back its $90 cost. I think some...
by Aaron W
Fri Nov 15, 2019 5:47 pm
Forum: Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans
Topic: DIY Welder cart configuration
Replies: 10
Views: 2826

Re: DIY Welder cart configuration

Don't forget a place for a fire extinguisher. Even if you already have one in the shop, it is good to always have one right next to a potential source of ignition. Mine will include both a water can and ABC dry chem since it will be used outdoors. I don't want to be "that guy" who burned d...
by Aaron W
Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:30 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Lincoln 210MP equivalents
Replies: 16
Views: 2217

Re: Lincoln 210MP equivalents

If you are primarily interested in TIG there are quite a few TIG / stick machines out there which might help you stay within budget better. I have the Miller 220AC and I really like it, but I have a small shop where the compact size of a 3 in 1 welder is very valuable. If space wasn't such a concern...
by Aaron W
Thu Nov 14, 2019 5:11 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Lincoln 210MP equivalents
Replies: 16
Views: 2217

Re: Lincoln 210MP equivalents

Something to consider on the multi-process machines, both the Lincoln 210MP and Miller 215 require an additional TIG package which costs several hundred dollars. As they come they are MIG / Stick right around your $1500 budget. When you add the TIG package they are up around $2100. These machines ar...
by Aaron W
Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:48 pm
Forum: Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans
Topic: DIY Welder cart configuration
Replies: 10
Views: 2826

Re: DIY Welder cart configuration

As many / most factory carts locate the bottle at the back, I don't imagine there is an issue with heat generated. There is quite a bit of mass in a cylinder and a lot of surface area that wants to be whatever the ambient air temperature is. I'm building a cart for a multi-process welder so 2 bottle...
by Aaron W
Sun Nov 03, 2019 4:23 pm
Forum: Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans
Topic: Metal shelf for metal, my first completed project
Replies: 6
Views: 1839

Re: Metal shelf for metal, my first completed project

Nice, I'm sure it'll fill up fast. Is that copper and brass on the middle shelf? Yep, I've got aluminum and a little plastic on top, brass and other non-ferrous on the middle shelf, and steel on the bottom. I figured put the heaviest stuff down low so it my welds aren't up to snuff, less distance t...
by Aaron W
Fri Nov 01, 2019 2:13 pm
Forum: Welding Projects - Welding project Ideas - Welding project plans
Topic: Metal shelf for metal, my first completed project
Replies: 6
Views: 1839

Metal shelf for metal, my first completed project

You guys have answered my questions, so a little proof I've been listening. I needed a better way to store my metal stock, and now that I have a welder I made something to deal with it. There were issues but nothing that a heavy coat of paint and cramming it into a dark corner can't hide. 1/2" ...
by Aaron W
Sat Oct 19, 2019 2:17 am
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Solve my Table Headaches
Replies: 11
Views: 1208

Re: Solve my Table Headaches

Really only commenting because you mentioned a table size of 2x3. My welding table has been a 2x3 foot plate of 1/2" thick steel propped up on an old metal shelf on its side. I got the plate of steel at the local metal supply for $0.50/lb out of their scrap pile (70lbs so it cost me $35). The s...
by Aaron W
Wed Oct 09, 2019 1:10 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Still holding out on the inverters, transformers always work
Replies: 15
Views: 2497

Re: Still holding out on the inverters, transformers always

kiwi2wheels wrote:Here's an interesting thread on your question.

https://www.practicalmachinist.com/vb/f ... ost3422914
Thank you for posting that, a very interesting thread.
by Aaron W
Mon Sep 23, 2019 11:19 pm
Forum: Mig and Flux Core - gas metal arc welding & flux cored arc welding
Topic: MIG IS EASY ? compared to what ? crucifiction?
Replies: 34
Views: 4576

Re: MIG IS EASY ? compared to what ? crucifiction?

Post actual pictures of all the settings and the physical set up. In other words, pics of the mounting of the spool of flux core wire, the drive roller your using, etc etc etc. Also, your vision needs to be 100% taken care of for you to make any progress. With flux core, this is more or less what y...
by Aaron W
Sun Sep 01, 2019 2:42 am
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Removing zinc from hard to grind parts?
Replies: 23
Views: 2515

Re: Removing zinc from hard to grind parts?

Point taken on the super vinegar. I'll start small, we always have regular white vinegar in the house. I like the idea of the concentrated vinegar as an alternative to nastier acids. Muriatic acid is basically less refined hydrocloric acid, which is about 10x the acidity of the acetic acid in vinega...
by Aaron W
Fri Aug 30, 2019 10:10 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Removing zinc from hard to grind parts?
Replies: 23
Views: 2515

Re: Removing zinc from hard to grind parts?

I have a tiny shop so I do most of my dirtier work outside by default, so no problem there. I do like the sound of vinegar better than muriatic acid. The nice thing about hobby projects vs making money is I'm not usually in a huge hurry, so a day or two soaking in vinegar isn't usually going to be a...
by Aaron W
Fri Aug 30, 2019 12:51 pm
Forum: Welding Forum General Shop Talk
Topic: Removing zinc from hard to grind parts?
Replies: 23
Views: 2515

Removing zinc from hard to grind parts?

I was making some adjustable leveling feet for a shelf using carriage bolts and nuts. Welding the nuts on was weird, lots of black schmutz, causing me to double check that I wasn't out of gas when if finally dawned on me, duh zinc coated nuts . I was working outside with good air flow and it was jus...
by Aaron W
Sun Aug 25, 2019 9:23 pm
Forum: Metal Cutting
Topic: Plasma cutters with built in compressor?
Replies: 6
Views: 2402

Re: Plasma cutters with built in compressor?

Thank you, good to hear the 30 Air is a good unit. Dual voltage and a compressor makes it pretty versatile, and it should handle just about anything I'm likely to do. The difference in price between it and the 30XP is less than the cost of installing a big compressor and air dryer. Looks like sale p...
by Aaron W
Fri Aug 23, 2019 4:26 pm
Forum: Metal Cutting
Topic: Plasma cutters with built in compressor?
Replies: 6
Views: 2402

Plasma cutters with built in compressor?

I've read through a bunch of plasma cutter threads, a couple danced around this but none dealt with it directly. Hypertherm seems to be the standard by which others are compared. I only see three plasma cutters with built in compressors. By price and stated performance the Hypertherm is in its own c...