Nations wrote:I can't find a TIG here under 2grand.

Not to influence your decision, just letting you know Home Depot (and others) sells welders online and ships to your store. Oxy acet is a fine choice too, just letting you know you have options.

I think I get it- you're interested in the Hobart courses because you're interested in learning more about many different welding processes, not necessarily bike frames, and the Hobart courses are intensive multi-week courses that fit your vacation schedule. Is that it? I know a 60-hr week is tough ...

That's one bumpin' ground clamp! No grounding issues there. And I like the 3-point undercarriage on your cart. What prompted you to change the relay, was it failing?

Erik, welcome to the forums! Are you thinking of making electric bicycles into a second career? As a devoted podcast listener you know the advice given by Jody, Jonathan, and Roy is "make the jump, but have a plan". You mentioned that your family is accustomed to your UPS income and benefi...

According to the Diamond Ground website https://www.diamondground.com/tungsten-guidebook/#choosing "A 2% Lanthanated tungsten will arc start more easily than a 1% Lanthanated tungsten (assuming they were made using the same manufacturing process)." Jody C did a comparison of tungsten types...

My understanding is inverter welders require a generator with a "clean" power source rating of less than 5% Total Harmonic Distortion. I looked into the Champion generator at one time and had to call them to find out the THD is 26%. So it might be worth checking into what THD the Lincoln r...

Is there a front and a back, any way to hide the weld from the viewer?

BTW another option is to keep an eye on Craigslist and look for a used DC welder.

Can i ask- how did you choose welding? Tried it and liked it, friends are welders?

I am thinking about this machine anything I should be concerned about this guy? I can't give the full correct explanation why, but inverter welders don't handle 6010 electrodes unless they are specifically designed for 6010. The machine you linked to, in addition to being out of stock :-), is not c...

Welder chimp wrote:The system is new to us

"New" as in brand new, or used equipment that's new to you? I'm wondering if you can contact the vendor for support.

Thanks I think i will get a good machine and practice, pay for 3g and 4g test like cj said. At the same time look for companies in my area i can help out at to get my foot in the door. Good on ya! You might take a job as a welder's helper, for instance, and watch and learn as you go. When you look ...

Nickwoo, welcome to the forums! You posted, in good faith we assume, a request for help. People responded by saying "You're about to step in a steaming pile of horsesh*t". You responded with "Yeah, but the steaming piles of horsesh*t are close to my house." Please, let's take a s...

Welcome to the forum! Please post up some photos of your work!

If you spent the same money on a stick welder you'd be able to weld thicker metal, if that's any attraction. Do you have a particular type if welding project in mind? If yes, then buy the welder that accomplishes that goal.

Dang, that is one heavy chunk of pipe. And the saw that cut it is no slouch either.

Is that galvanized steel? If yes keep your head out of the smoke plume, the fumes are toxic.

Can you get a tighter weld shot, in focus? That would be helpful for troubleshooting.

First, it's very generous and understanding of your wife to encourage your hobbies. I am not a pro on this topic, and will read what others have to say with interest. I will point out some other considerations. First, argon is heavier than air and collects in low spaces. How much danger this poses d...

The machine is capable of 3-phase power, and since it came from an institutional setting it may have been supplied with 3-phase. I'm not sure how the machine is set up or configured for 3-phase vs. 1-phase- possibly with jumpers or bus bars inside the machine?- but it may be worth a look. Wiring a n...

Welcome to the forum! I can't help but think you'll find the DC only machine limiting, and you'll wish you had an AC machine at some point. "Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon, and for the rest of your life.” If you think you might like to weld aluminum, would it be worth getting an ...

Hey, Jim, welcome to the forum! Here's a link to a Lincoln website that discusses storage and reconditioning of electrodes. http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/support/welding-how-to/pages/storing-electrodes-detail.aspx Note the reconditioning temperature of 7018s is 650* - 750* F. Are you doing co...

As I've been told, the same metal rods go into each electrode and the flux coating is what changes the properties if the weld. Is this also true? Not entirely sure but here's a >guess<: that is probably true for electrodes within the same class, such as 6010, 6011, 6013. Probably less true for elec...

Yes, clothes dryer circuits are typically 30 amp. You probably have a dedicated circuit for the dryer, so the circuit breaker will be labeled with its capacity. My welder came with a NEMA 6-50 plug, so i bought a 6-50 receptacle, red / black / green cable, and a dryer plug, then connected it all tog...

Welcome! The Miller 215 is dual voltage, meaning it runs on both 110v and 220v. On 110 these machines perform best on a 20 amp circuit, though it will get by on a 15 amp circuit. If you have a 220v circuit for the clothes dryer at the house, that 30 amp circuit will run the welder nicely. I made an ...

McMaster Carr has them. They're reliable and have fast shipping.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#bungs/=1bo1aam

Gotcha- I remember being a student on a budget. I can't help but think retrofitting a passive into an autodark might be more expense and effort for less outcome. A quick look on the web shows the Tiger Hood at $51, free shipping. The Arc One budget version is $51 plus whatever shipping. Total so far...