Welding

[JustinTheCaptain]

I started out MIG welding. I bought an Eastwood MIG 175, mainly because of the price and it came with a spool gun for AL, should I ever decide I want to MIG aluminum.

I would agree that TIG welding isn't something to start with. In my opinion, tig welding is more for precision/specialty applications, such as working on stainless steel machined parts, or smaller welding projects. Now that's not to say it can't be done, there are some guys out there who are killer with a TIG torch. But for your average joe, MIG is essitially point and shoot.

As far as 110 or 220v, I too would suggest you spend the extra cash and get a 220v machine. You may not always NEED the extra power, but that day when you do, you'll be glad you have it. The only downside with a 220v machine is that it is not as portable as 110v, as you can imagine. But a lot of the inverter based machines on the market these days have 220/110v capabilities with the simple addition of a pigtail adaptor on the end of the power plug.

If you do decide to go with a MIG machine, I would highly recommend that you also spend the extra money and buy a gas cylinder to go with it. Running flux-cored (gas-less) wire sucks. It is messy, spatters more and is a more labor intensive weld after the fact. Meaning you'll have to clean slag off of each and every weld when you're done.

When welding just plain mild steel, normally I run a C25 gas (75% argon, 25% CO2). That gas will get you by for MOST welding applications. If you were to also get a TIG machine, you'll need to buy another bottle of gas, 100% argon.

I can't remember how large my gas cylinders are, but I would suggest buying the largest ones your local welding supply will sell you. It just means you have to swap cylinders less often.

There is no substitute for 1 on 1 learning when it comes to welding, but you can learn A LOT by watching YouTube videos and reading various forums out there.
I really enjoy watching Welding Tips and Tricks on YouTube. And there is always an interesting thread on WeldingWeb.

In your searches, you'll probably come across domestic vs imported welders. Everyone's got there own opinion on it. Here's mine. If buying a cheaper Chinese welder will get you in the game, and get you started welding, that is what I would do. Miller and Lincoln both make great machines, and the odds are you will not have a problem with them, but that comes at a larger price tag. I know I couldn't afford one, but now that I know what I'm doing, I think I would feel more comfortable dropping the cash on a higher end machine. Just my opinion.

And when you're looking at prices of a machine, remember to mentally include the price of a gas cylinder, a spool of wire, helmet and gloves. That stuff adds up when you buy it all at once. Don't worry about a welding cart, build your own. Great beginner project.

That's probably the longest post I've written on this forum. But I enjoy welding and fabrication, just as much as I do Jeeps.

Hopefully something in this post helps you out.

[Jeepster1407]

Great tips there Captain!


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[Gerund]

Great tips there Captain!

x2

Thanks to everyone for sharing.

[Blue J]

I started welding with a Lincoln "buzz box" 220 stick welder and taught myself to weld there really isn't much to it other that setting it up to weld the size material you are welding and steering it so that you get proper penetration into each area. You tube is full of videos to show different techniques.
After working a summer as a production line welder. I purchased a small Lincoln 110 similar to the ones they now sell in a Home Depot. For basic around the shop stuff a flux core welder wil more that adequately do the job. A mig will lay down a very pretty bead.
I still have my little 110 and welded my sliders with it. Be wary of the cheap crap from harbor freight I had a friend once that had to take one back four times before he could finally finish a project.

[Bruce]

I have a Hobart 210...  second welder, started with a Lincoln 110 only machine.

It's easy to use the 110/220 capability is nice when your welding area is not right next to your 220 plug.

I bought a welder and went after it, learned along the way. Flux first then gas, just how things worked out. I would skip the flux route as mentioned above. It does have its place though, like working on the trailer outside in the wind with 110 power. Makes for a simple setup.

All the talk of aluminum and not needing to weld it I don't agree with. Most of my list of projects now has me wanting to do them in aluminum. My projects don't just revolve around the jeep, I know crazy. But the weight savings alone makes me want to use aluminum. Heck, even adding tabs or other small parts to aluminum jeep parts comes up from time to time.  I have not bought a spool gun yet for this purpose, but with the cost of that and an additional tank, it has me thinking just get a tig. Also the reviews on most of the cheap spool guns didn't leave me with much confidence in their long term stability.

I would also say, buy the next bigger machine than you think you will need. Buy it once vs twice. Especially if you are thinking longer term. You will always find something else to weld.

Helmet and safety gear as well. I'm wanting a new helmet as well, I swear sometimes I can see better with the basic handheld welding shield from the first Lincoln welder I bought than my fancy automatic darkening Miller helmet. Getting the right setting is a pain, imho.

Or, just pay people to do it and do it right the first time and admire their work.

[Raisinhead]

I'm curious about aluminum welding. My understanding is that it's a very different technique. I help a company hire aluminum welders and they don't want steel welders without plenty of aluminum experience. They make it sound like it's not worth training them and they hire a ton (likely most in US)

[Raisinhead]

For curious minds, here is what they build. Fastest Navy Combat Aluminum Ships. They are bad ass and the Navy loves them!

[tjsahara00]

I know we do extrude some aluminum
for the Navy....not sure if it's for those.

[BigMike]

When I'm ready to buy, after comments here and the research that I've done, I'm going to buy a Millermatic 211. 

I just finished my basement and I'm kicking myself for not running 220 to the garage.

[Blue J]

We only hire tig welders, for Aluminum and Stainless Steel handrail manufacturering. It's a completely different skill set. Tig is a 2 handed affair with the electrode in one hand and the wand in the other. We only hire tig welders that can "hot" start. Which is difficult to learn because of our production environment they have to be able to hit it and get it. Kids coming out of tech school are not taught this. They slowly ramp up each weld,which takes time.  You can weld aluminum with a MIG welder using a spool gun but the weld is not as pretty. Welding stainless with a MIG produces much more heat discoloration than is desired for decorative handrails. I have often seen guys say they can Tig only to have them try to weld a joint for 20-30 minutes. Or bring back some garbage that breaks when you grab it.
The closest thing I can describe Tig welding to would be brazing except with brazing you are using a torch and not an electrode to produce the heat.
My explanation of a MIG is that it's like a hot glue gun. Set everything up set your wire speed and heat and hit it.

[DOUG]

We only hire tig welders, for Aluminum and Stainless Steel handrail manufacturering. It's a completely different skill set. Tig is a 2 handed affair with the electrode in one hand and the wand in the other. We only hire tig welders that can "hot" start. Which is difficult to learn because of our production environment they have to be able to hit it and get it. Kids coming out of tech school are not taught this. They slowly ramp up each weld,which takes time.  You can weld aluminum with a MIG welder using a spool gun but the weld is not as pretty. Welding stainless with a MIG produces much more heat discoloration than is desired for decorative handrails. I have often seen guys say they can Tig only to have them try to weld a joint for 20-30 minutes. Or bring back some garbage that breaks when you grab it.
The closest thing I can describe Tig welding to would be brazing except with brazing you are using a torch and not an electrode to produce the heat.
My explanation of a MIG is that it's like a hot glue gun. Set everything up set your wire speed and heat and hit it.

Very well written thanks

[Jeepster1407]

We only hire tig welders, for Aluminum and Stainless Steel handrail manufacturering. It's a completely different skill set. Tig is a 2 handed affair with the electrode in one hand and the wand in the other. We only hire tig welders that can "hot" start. Which is difficult to learn because of our production environment they have to be able to hit it and get it. Kids coming out of tech school are not taught this. They slowly ramp up each weld,which takes time.  You can weld aluminum with a MIG welder using a spool gun but the weld is not as pretty. Welding stainless with a MIG produces much more heat discoloration than is desired for decorative handrails. I have often seen guys say they can Tig only to have them try to weld a joint for 20-30 minutes. Or bring back some garbage that breaks when you grab it.
The closest thing I can describe Tig welding to would be brazing except with brazing you are using a torch and not an electrode to produce the heat.
My explanation of a MIG is that it's like a hot glue gun. Set everything up set your wire speed and heat and hit it.

Are you referring to scratch starting? So no need for a foot pedal?


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