Most tigs come with a finger trigger for such a reason. Although a foot pedal works much better, as you can vary the current..you'll have a tough time trying to figure out how you're gonna do that.
Welder Question
- Thread starter Rdub6
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You don’t need to buy twice, even the little Everlast 185 I have right now can run off of 110. So will the 210EXT I’m getting. Just look for dual voltage capability.
And really, nothing on our cars would require more than 125 amps. The frame rails are 14 (or was it 12?, still just 7/64ths)gauge, that’s as close as you’ll get.
I just spent the day on Friday running a new 20amp circuit in my garage. I was tired of dragging the retractable cord all over, and now I have outlets where I need them for my welder once I pull the trigger. I really think I’ve come full circle and am going to go with the Eastwood Mig 135. I can get the welder for $350 delivered (using the $20 off code) a Harbor Freight cart, and an ok helmet for around $500. I have a bunch of scrap I’ll practice on, and get the feel for the machine with the flux core before I buy a bottle.
@lemosley1973 I too got a quote for FLSC in the area of $500. I’d much rather spend that on a welder, and at some point do it myself, if for no other reason than to be able to say “I did that”.
@lemosley1973 I too got a quote for FLSC in the area of $500. I’d much rather spend that on a welder, and at some point do it myself, if for no other reason than to be able to say “I did that”.
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Who the hell quoted you $600-$800 to weld in sfc’s? That would be well over the highest I’ve ever heard.
i have that same machine. hard pass. i'd look closer at some of the new harbor freight stuff or used inverter-based miller/hobart/lincoln. dual-voltage would be a plus but not strictly necessary.
Pro-dyno gave an estimate of hours - he said something like 4-6 hours and I think the rate was $125/hr. It might have been $100/hr in which case it was 4-600.
The process is like this for the typical set of weld in connectors..
( and I'll be overly liberal with that)
Remove/ replace the two front seats, kick panels, and door rocker trim. Lift and prop carpeting from frontal floor. 1hr.
Raise vehicle, Prep the weld surfaces, test fit connector...fit in place for welding. 1hr
Weld. .5 hr
2.5 hours total for the slowest, most methodical non-thief fabricators,..you might want to ask why your rip-off shop thinks it will take twice as long, or longer to do yours.
Meh, a welder will last a dozen years...you never know what you're gonna end up doing with one...
Roll cage bar wall thickness is usually .130, those plates that most SF connectors have is .125, and any bracket you have to modify to hold an accessory could be twice that.
A welder is a machine that I'd recommend that you over buy its capabilities IMO.
The rip off comment is from me. You said they were charging 4-800 depending on their hourly rate, and I figured their time quote to be almost a 1/3rd of what they stated.
You can call them what you will.
If you are capable, you're gonna be able to do this yourself. By capable, I mean if you have the patience to practice, the skill set to adapt slightly, and the physicality required to do it that is. Youll be laying on your side, under a car that is more than two feet in the air, having to hold both hands on the gun to steady it, leaving no hand to prop yourself up at the awkward angle you'll be at. Welding at an up angle on "previously" greasy, dirty, galvanized metal. It's not the easiest first job you'll ever weld.
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Take it to an actual welding and fabrication shop. If they charge you more than an hr and a half something is wrong.
So, employee pricing hit today on Eastwood so I finally pulled the trigger. $337 to the door. Hopefully I’ll be happy with it for a while! Let the practicing begin!
Welder is here! I thought it came with flux core wire, but it came with a roll of solid mig. My plan was to practice with flux core, but since it came with MIG wire, I may just get a bottle of gas and go from there. There’s an Airgas store about 5 minutes from me, so why not!
Looking on Craig's list - found a Miller Thunderbolt stick welder:
It's ac and dc capable up to 225 amps. Just not sure if it's a 220V only, or 110 and 220V.
I'm trying to find out the exact model - I think it's from 1997 or so - thoughts on going the stick welding router to learn with? I don't get discouraged easily.
If I can become proficient at it, then TIG is just a step away.
Miller thunderbolt ac/dc welder
Miller thunderbolt ac/dc welder exelentbworling condition.
charlotte.craigslist.org
It's ac and dc capable up to 225 amps. Just not sure if it's a 220V only, or 110 and 220V.
I'm trying to find out the exact model - I think it's from 1997 or so - thoughts on going the stick welding router to learn with? I don't get discouraged easily.
If I can become proficient at it, then TIG is just a step away.
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I think a stick welder is a pointless thing in an automotive fab shop. Difficult to use, and only good for thick metals.Looking on Craig's list - found a Miller Thunderbolt stick welder:
Miller thunderbolt ac/dc welder
Miller thunderbolt ac/dc welder exelentbworling condition.charlotte.craigslist.org
It's ac and dc capabile up to 225 amps. Just not sure if it's a 220V only, or 110 and 220V.
I'm trying to find out the exact model - I think it's from 1997 or so - thoughts on going the stick welding router to learn with? I don't get discouraged easily.
If I can become proficient at it, then TIG is just a step away.
A Mig is stupid proof. And as many examples that have been furnished here will testify, can be purchased brand new for the price of the 10 year old used Miller. As long as you don't mind a Chinee piece.
TIG welding is an art. It takes several hours to become barely capable, and several hours more to become proficient. Even longer to make the kind if beautiful consistent welds you see pics of. Mig welding requires a little practice to get things right, and a steady hand. I'd dare say that I could show you how to weld decent in an hour of practice going from 1/4" plate to .20 ga steel with a mig and still have a beautiful weld.
This is a triggered " pulse" weld using a mig. You can see the tiny little pinhole in the middle of each bead. I pulled the trigger Everytime you see the dime.
It is.
It's the bend that used to be attached to the center exit rear exhaust. ( you can see it laying on the ground)
