87woody-atl
NAXJA Forum User
- Location
- Atl
Looking to start learning to weld, and I don't have the money to buy a millermatic, anyone know where I should start looking for something for a beginner
Look on craigslist for a Lincoln 100-140 or a hobart Mig welder.
I found one for $100.00 never used. Be patient you will find a good deal. If you want one right away look at home depot or lowes they sell the ones Im talking just about $400-500 Make a cart for it with some castor wheels or something. Learn the settings like thickness of metal and wire speed. Then learn the angle at which to hold the tip also the patterns like c's etc. By the time you feel confident you will be ready to spend more on a bigger mig welder with gas. Closer to a thousand bucks!
Also harbor freight has auto darkening helmets for $49 and they are awesome! There really is a huge difference in auto darkening and not.
I have very little experience with a stick welder, and what I remember from that, I hated it haha. But, that is a cheaper option I guess. I like the MIG just because there is so much more control. Best of luck to you, and be safe!!
Also harbor freight has auto darkening helmets for $49 and they are awesome! There really is a huge difference in auto darkening and not.
i was a professional stick welder for a short while. now i am working on getting my pipe welding certs from my local union. stick rocks! i built my rear bumper tire carrier with stick as well as a lot of axle work on my axles and others as well.
i love mine!
Stick is great for structural, but when it comes to sheet metal or small repairs or even precision building, its hard to beat a MIG, unless of course you go TIG ;-)
Flux core wire is fine for most jobs but if you are going to do any serious work, invest in gas as soon as you can, it makes a much cleaner welding experience.
yeah thats one thing i hate about the flux core wire, the bead comes out funky looking but i always use the gas only time i use use no gas is if im out of gas. lol