Where did you guys go to get your welder ? I am looking at picking one up, as my exhaust shop guy that i trust is retiring.

I have seen that Chicago Electric one in Harbor Freight for around $179 or whatever, but im wondering what i should be looking for and where i can get a good deal ?

I know input has to be 115v , but i dont know if i really need one that can use sheilding gas, or do i really need that?

for now, i need to make my charge/IC pipe and probably exhaust too, someday i'd like to weld aluminm and fix my motorcycle frame.

thanks

 

If all you ever plan to do with it is exhaust pipe and you're not really concerned with showpiece type of appearance, I'd have to reccomend a Hobart Handler 135 with flux core wire. It's a small machine, runs on 110v power, and is a top quality piece of equipment that is backed by great product and customer support.

If you buy anything less, you will get a product that you won't be able to count on for a lifetime, or **** for support.

 

If you would like to someday work in aluminum, get a MIG, not a fluxcore wirefeed welder. Just the ability to weld stainless and thin aluminum makes it worth the extra cost.

 

well thats what i am trying to figure out.

i thought a wire feed flux core welder is a mig welder ?

i am assuming the mig welder is the one that uses shielding gas and a different heat setting for aluminum ?

i read the FAQ but that didint really tell me much(maybe im retarded?)

 

best purchase i made.. great welder. and under 600 with everythimg!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EFbomb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well thats what i am trying to figure out.

i thought a wire feed flux core welder is a mig welder ?

i am assuming the mig welder is the one that uses shielding gas and a different heat setting for aluminum ?

i read the FAQ but that didint really tell me much(maybe im retarded?)</TD></TR></TABLE>

Wire feed flux core welding is basically mig welding but with out the gas. The gas is built into the wire.

To weld aluminum your gonna need a spool gun which is not cheap.

I am selling a lincoln mig/flux machine, but its setup for the mig. And it will handle any exhaust job, basically anything anyone looking to get into welding will be able to do this will handle. And I'm asking around 450 for a complet mig setup, so that should give you an idea on roughly how much you are gonna pay for a mig set up

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by beepy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If you would like to someday work in aluminum, get a MIG, not a fluxcore wirefeed welder. Just the ability to weld stainless and thin aluminum makes it worth the extra cost.</TD></TR></TABLE>

They do make flux core stainless wire.

 

thanks for all the replies, i appreiate your input.

I am considering this one
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...=6098

I dont want to spend a ton, cause this is a hobby for me, not a profession. If this will do my exhaust and charge pipe, and can weld 1/8-1/4" aluminum it will be perfect for me.

let me know what you think.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EFbomb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">thanks for all the replies, i appreiate your input.

I am considering this one
http://www.harborfreight.com/c...=6098

I dont want to spend a ton, cause this is a hobby for me, not a profession. If this will do my exhaust and charge pipe, and can weld 1/8-1/4" aluminum it will be perfect for me.

let me know what you think.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you are gonna have to spend a little more to get something decent. I love harbor freight, but I would not by a welder from there.

 

Not to jack your thread but I am also looking to get an entry level mig. Im looking at the low end clarke's and used lincolns on ebay. My question is, where do I get a cheap bottle/canister for the argon? I have a couple empty propane canisters but Im not sure if they can be filled.

 

Ive found a bunch of places in my town by looking in the yellow pages : welding or welding supply

or just call and ask a muffler/metal fab shop and ask them where they refill their acetaline/argon

 

90blackrex - any specific reason why that wouldnt be a suitable welder for a first timer ?
i coulda swore i saw a thread about your HMT kit and you bought a harbor freight welder to make another downpipe(for $79)?(just asking, not being a smartass, i could be wrong)

I understand tools have reputations, and theres specific reasons for buying the higher dollar ones (impacts guns/rachets and racheting wrenches)
But I guess i havent known how this applies to the welder. Either it will do it or it wont. i dont see how the brand of a welder can effect its function.
but i have open ears, and thats why i am on here. I am inexpierenced in this topic, and would like to hear anyones factual knowledge/expierence with this welder or entry level welders.
i dont buy the "you should just spend more money on one" without any factual informaiton/expierence behind it.
thanks

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by vegaskurt &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Not to jack your thread but I am also looking to get an entry level mig. Im looking at the low end clarke's and used lincolns on ebay. My question is, where do I get a cheap bottle/canister for the argon? I have a couple empty propane canisters but Im not sure if they can be filled.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Go to your local gas supplier, save yourself the headaches. By the bottle from them.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EFbomb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">90blackrex - any specific reason why that wouldnt be a suitable welder for a first timer ?
i coulda swore i saw a thread about your HMT kit and you bought a harbor freight welder to make another downpipe(for $79)?(just asking, not being a smartass, i could be wrong)
</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nope no welder from harbor freight here. One of the main reasons is its a pretty small machine, 87 amps is not gonna do a lot. For an extra 200 you can have a good name brand machine that can do up to 1/4 inch of metal.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EFbomb &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I understand tools have reputations, and theres specific reasons for buying the higher dollar ones (impacts guns/rachets and racheting wrenches)
But I guess i havent known how this applies to the welder. Either it will do it or it wont. i dont see how the brand of a welder can effect its function.
but i have open ears, and thats why i am on here. I am inexpierenced in this topic, and would like to hear anyones factual knowledge/expierence with this welder or entry level welders.
i dont buy the "you should just spend more money on one" without any factual informaiton/expierence behind it.
thanks </TD></TR></TABLE>

Well I never tested a habor freight welder out, all I can say is there pretty dam small, and if you ever want to buy parts to upgrade to mig, good luck finding them. I just think it would be better to save up and buy a better machine.

I was in the same shoes you were in about a year ago, I got a great deal on a lincoln welder ( same one I'm selling for a good price ) . The machine is small, but it can handle up to 1/4 inch of metal. I'm still thinking about keeping it, but anyways now I'm upgrading to a miller 180sd which is roughly $1,500 . So I am making a huge jump, but this machine has helped me make a ton of things, and after you sell those, well money starts to grow fast.

Anyways if you are looking to do your exhaust and only use the machine once or twice every 6 months, then a harbor freight welder would be good.

But if you see yourself making exhaust for people, and other things, don't get a harbor freight welder

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Engloid &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">If all you ever plan to do with it is exhaust pipe and you're not really concerned with showpiece type of appearance, I'd have to reccomend a Hobart Handler 135 with flux core wire. It's a small machine, runs on 110v power, and is a top quality piece of equipment that is backed by great product and customer support.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

I can vouch for that! My HH 135 holds up great. I'm still using the flux core wire, but stepping up to the gas setup as soon as I can find a local gas supplier.

 

alot of exhaust shops use millermatic 135.i was thinking gettin my self 1 of those..