I have come across some cash and want to get into welding. I plan on signing up for the classes at the local votech come spring but would like to get started now. I'd like to pick up a decent mig as well as a tig. I was looking at the Miller 175 Mig and 180USD Tig. My budget is $3000 for everything i would need to get started. Looks like a good mask is around 2-300 and bottles are about 120 a piece. Anyone have any suggestions on other equiptment or particular masks? How about the welder choice? Thanks in advance.

 

I guess those welders suck. Can I built ramhorn manifolds better than Full Race with the $120 Harbor Freight Mig?

 

Hmmm...honestly...it would be somewhat hard to get the best of the best. Defenitely doable but it may be better, but you probably wouldnt be getting the best of each machine. Your idea of the Sync 180, and the Miller 175 would probably an awesome choice. Although, there is SO much more to buy than just a welder. Just to give you an example...I got my Sync 180 for $1566...when I walked out the door, I was pushing $2100 or so...after taxes and all. And thats not even with an aftermarket torch! Just something to think about.
Also, if your brand new to the entire fabrication world all together...I would defenitely put $5-800 aside for other tools you will need. Yea, welders are great, but if you dont have anything to prep your material with, cut your material, clamp your material, etc etc...you will get nowhere.
GOOD LUCK!
Kyle

 

$200-300 for a helmet?
Just get a normal big lense for $35

 

I would look real hard at the thermal 185. I have a fella that does some sub contract welding for me and he has one of these and it is awsome . Yes just like all the small machines it has it's limits and when it comes to doing large intercoolers I have him weld them with my equipment if I don't do it myself. You don't need a fancy helmet. A std large window helmet will work just fine. I prefer the helmets with the window standing up as they are much narrower and you can get into the tight area's of a cage. I don't like the auto darkening helmets for this application as you end up getting flashed because the bars will get it the way of the sensors and turn the shade off.
There is a place on ebay selling the thermal for about 1677 delivered to your door complete. I have had thermal plasma cutter for about 12 years now trouble free

One other thing you can do is to look for a good used machine. I had a Miller dialarc 250 hf for 21years before I sold it to my best friend who still uses it on a regular basis. It is a durable machine. It also has enough *** to weld a cylinder head or and intercooler without a problem. I would ask some of the welding suppliers in your area if they have anything used that they will give you at least a small warranty with.
good luck with your decision T

 

Thanks for the advice. I have a 4000 budget now after selling some more parts. I'm gonna order the Millermatic 210 and Syncrowave 250. Hopefully that won't limit me too much. I already have a decent selection of cutting and prepping tools. I need to get a nice vice and solid bench.

 

Why do you need two machines? Why not just get a wirefeeder+gun kit for the Syncrowave?

 

I wasn't aware that was possible. I haven't seen anything like that for sale on any of the welding supply sights that were reccomended.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wideopentuning &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I wasn't aware that was possible. I haven't seen anything like that for sale on any of the welding supply sights that were reccomended.</TD></TR></TABLE>

i wish i had a $3k welding budget; i'd go nuts; probably wind up with a cnc plasma cutter

but yea; find you a good power source for starters; like engloid preaches: BUY USED. a good power source will do just about any type of welding you can imagine. As an example my friend works at a local auto shop and they have a snap on welding machine; it has these box like attachments that can do all sorts of welding; they have gmaw/mig box and a Tig attachment for the dc side of it. its a neat machine; i'd hate to pay for it though

Me personally i'd get a big *** older miller the size of a small refrigerator

 

cnc plasma for $3k, sign me up.

i bought my welder from snap-on for 2300, it does tig, mig, and spot welding plus i got a free hood. sweet!. no seriously i haven't came across anything that i couldn't weld with it, and plus it has 100% duty cycle at 140 amps.