Lets start out by saying what Im using right now. Im using a chicago electric flux core, been using it all this year. It sucks, but worked great when I needed it to

I personally am going to be attending welding trade school within this year. Looking to get my licesnce as soon as possible through a local apprenticeship. And the goal is to start my own welding/fabrication shop

What Im looking to buy is a welder. I know very little about welding but I know there are many shapes and sizes.

Most of the things I will be making are things like traction bars, downpipes, few manifold, bracketery.

Ive personally heard good things about a welder thats referred to as the "smiley" welder. I think it does TIG, Mig and has a plasma cutter? But is it what im looking for or am I off base

I also want to learn how to weld aluminum. Id like to modify/ create intercooler endtanks etc. Can the smiley do that?

I need some advise.

As for a budget, Im not looking to break the bank just yet, but I would like something that is easy to learn on and will make a quality product.

Hope someone can help

Thanks

 

dont buy an all in one machine. if one part breaks then your **** outta luck since the whole machine will be down until it gets serviced.

 

Do they break regularly?

 

I think its also fairly important that I be able to weld aluminum. Charge piping, intercoolers wont be to scarce

 

The smiley wont do aluminum. Its a peice of **** without remote amperage control. Look around and buy a used tig of good quality.

 

Thats what Im here asking, what level of qulaity do I need to make the pieces I described

 

Anyone have info on the new smiley welders?

 

im going to help you simplfy your purchase dont buy a simley, buy a lincoln, miller, esab or thermal. my 2 cents of advice right there will save you 1000's go visit a local welding supply house and talk to a sales rep. If you doing this for a career you got a long way to go

 

Reason for not buying the all in one new smileys that go for about $1200 and can weld aluminum?

 

smileys are okay... id stick with lincoln or miller tho.

 

The all in one smiley will NOT weld aluminum.

If you want something nice but not as expensive as a Miller...
HTP Invertig 201
http://www.htpweld.com/product....html

I did a lot of research when going to buy my welder and I ended up with this unit. This machine has almost the same specs as the Miller Dynasty 200 DX and is some regards it's even better. When I called their pre-sales support was awesome. When I had some questions afterwards they were also very helpfull. I ordered mine with a water cooled torch and got a used water cooler from ebay. Some times you can even get machines the factory uses for demo\training on ebay too.

I have welded from aluminuized steel exhaust pipe, aluminum intercooler pipe, to magnisium oil pans with this unit and I am one very happy camper.


I just noticed that a well known tuner in the Miata community also uses them.
Look under thier bench
http://flyinmiata.com/projects...0.jpg

These machines are not very well known but those of us that have them love them.

 

Why do you say the all in one smileys wont weld aluminum? I heard the new version do, and have remote amperage control

Are these not worth the $1200?

 

They are too new and no one has used the new ones they are referring to th e older ones. The new ones have more amperage a higher duty cycle and the ability to weld alum. How well is what id like to know.

 

where can i see information on them?

 

bump

 

i am gonna have to say the only welders i would buy are Lincoln, Miller, Hobart i have seen these smiley tools i believe all it is,, is a CHICAGO tools with a smiley sticker on the side.. ne way my personal opinion is buy a used TIG welder it can even be old one. Mine was 12 years old and i liked it more then my brand new one..

 

Look for a used Miller or Lincoln on ebay. You can get a hell of a deal on a big machine. I see Syncrowave 350's going for 500-1000 on ebay fairly regularly.

 

But they dont weld aluminum, plasma cut etc right?

 

yes they weld aluminum. no plasma.

you need to understant that if you want to make a job out of this then you need a good machine. and those chinese ones arent professional quality. youll regret it later.

 

 

Can i have your guys opinion on this

Clarke 180EN

thanx

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by k24em2 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Look for a used Miller or Lincoln on ebay. You can get a hell of a deal on a big machine. I see Syncrowave 350's going for 500-1000 on ebay fairly regularly.</TD></TR></TABLE>


ive been looking for months and never found that deal especially when you factor in driving or shipping

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by unorthodoxhybrids &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The all in one smiley will NOT weld aluminum.

If you want something nice but not as expensive as a Miller...
HTP Invertig 201
http://www.htpweld.com/product....html

I did a lot of research when going to buy my welder and I ended up with this unit. This machine has almost the same specs as the Miller Dynasty 200 DX and is some regards it's even better. When I called their pre-sales support was awesome. When I had some questions afterwards they were also very helpfull. I ordered mine with a water cooled torch and got a used water cooler from ebay. Some times you can even get machines the factory uses for demo\training on ebay too.

I have welded from aluminuized steel exhaust pipe, aluminum intercooler pipe, to magnisium oil pans with this unit and I am one very happy camper.


I just noticed that a well known tuner in the Miata community also uses them.
Look under thier bench
http://flyinmiata.com/projects...0.jpg

These machines are not very well known but those of us that have them love them. </TD></TR></TABLE>


how much??