Hi, im a super-noob, and i searched a little bit, but i probably missed something. Anyways is there some wire feed welders that dont use gas at all, because i dont want the hassel of buying and storeing gas. and if someone can give me some reccomendations on a welder that would be great.


any other overviews would be great- sorry for the horrible ?'s

 

flux core doesnt require gas. unless you have some skill i wouldnt recommend using flux core. pay the extra money for some argon, you wont regret it

 

how much does argon run?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by flatblkCR-X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">how much does argon run?</TD></TR></TABLE>

I payed 180 for an average size bottle, but I got half price fill because it was my first time, it last pretty long to.

 

20CF are around 60, 40cf are about 90, and 80cf are like 140 or so. Price for filling those containers is like 20+/- depending on the area. In stuff this small you are paying more for labor than you are for gas in some ways.

If you buy a tank yourself from like ebay or whereever, you must find out first if local places will even fill them. Sometimes places only like to fill there own brand bottles and such. Just check around before you make the large purchase. At least get a 40CF tank. Average flow rate for mig welding is about 20CF/H, and that gives you around 1 hours of straight welding abouts. I sure as heck wouldn't want to be in the middle of a project and then run out of the crap.

I am going to be buying myself a 80cf tank off ebay (free shipping, woot) and then getting it filled local. Although if lease/rent prices seem good, I might go that route.

EDIT:

About the welders. Get something that is rated for at least 1/4" for your first. It is a bit on the small side, but with various pregrinding and shaping, you can kinda weld thicker materials with some practice and somewhat get by. Look for something in the 140 amp range. Up until a week ago I have a Hobart 140 handler that I used. Pretty darn nice machine for the price, and worked AWESOME-ly. Sold it when I wanted to start working on larger projects, and picked up a Miller 210 welder.

The hobart runs about 380-430 w/o cart, and like 430-480 with. Online will get it to you tax free and most of the time free shipping. The Miller I just picked up was 1259 shipped. My first welder was a "ArcWeld" by lincoln 80-90 amp unit. Was ok at best, and upgrading to the Hobart at the time was just worlds of difference. A good welding machine can help a poor welder. Get the best machine you can afford. I stick with the Hobart/Miller machines, other peoples choices vary. (Can't stop the Scientoligists can I )

 

so a hobart would be a good first welder? i dont want to spend a lot but all i here is how lincoln is poop

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by flatblkCR-X &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so a hobart would be a good first welder? i dont want to spend a lot but all i here is how lincoln is poop </TD></TR></TABLE>

I have a lincoln, I love um. Never failed me once.

I'm actually selling it, if interested IM me

 

I would definately go for a hobart for a first welder. There customer support is 2nd to none, and have always pulled through for there customers. They are also no more than 2 hours away from my house, so that isn't bad either.

My Hobart 140 that I sold on ebay arrived smashed to heck via fedex, and the only damage to it is the skin for the side of it. Everything works perfectly on it still, and it held up well

 

i have no problem with hobart.. but in regards to lincoln being poop.... i learned on lincolns and that is waht i own i have a lincoln square wave and a lincoln flux core.. you can pick up a weld pack 100 for about 250 and then convert to argon later,, ive had my flux core for about 5 years and never had a problem besides flux core gets awsome penetration