Ready Welder II ???

[Twisted Copper]

Looking at welders. I came across this product and want to know if anyone has used it or seen it in action. Any comments would be appreciated as I am just learing about this stuff and need all the info/advice I can get to make my decision on what type of equipment to get.

I have never welded but plan on getting into it this year.

This "Ready Welder II" looks like a really cool product. It is a mig or flux core that can run on 24V (2- 12V auto batteries in series) and weld up to 1/2" steel, aluminum, etc. Very small, very portable, and could easily be taken along on a trail ride!

Okay they do a good job of making it sound like the best choice on thier website, lets have it from those who actually use welders...
I've seen these for under $400 shippied:
http://www.readywelder.com/home.htm

 

[woody]

At Tellico-Cherokee Crawl 2003, I saw one in action (actually I looked away while others made bright lights) getting us & wrecked-out others off the trail in a couple places... It did what it had to do. In fairness, Danno's Mobi-Arc did some fine sparking too that trip.

RWII isn't a precise tool by any means, but for something to learn basic wire-feed with, and insurance on the trail... I'd rather spend $400+- on it, rather than a 110v.

 

[Twisted Copper]

At Tellico-Cherokee Crawl 2003, I saw one in action (actually I looked away while others made bright lights) getting us & wrecked-out others off the trail in a couple places... It did what it had to do. In fairness, Danno's Mobi-Arc did some fine sparking too that trip.

RWII isn't a precise tool by any means, but for something to learn basic wire-feed with, and insurance on the trail... I'd rather spend $400+- on it, rather than a 110v.

Well I had already ruled out a 110v mig. It seemed pretty obvious from a search of threads on the topic that a 110V isn't worth the savings.

The only problem I'd have with the RWII is the fact that being battery powered limits the time you can use it. Throw in $$$ for a couple of 12V optimas and a good charger for the house and it's getting pricey too. I could just run dual batteries in the XJ and disconnect them to wire in series when I want to weld but that would be a PITA at home when I want to build a rack or a bumper.

Still pondering... RWII, Stick, or 220 mig. just not sure

 

[Matthew Currie]

I think it really depends on what sort of work you intend to do and where you expect to do it. If you want one welder that will do just about everything except sheet metal, a decent 220V AC-DC stick welder is hard to beat. Cheap, reliable, and capable of welding up huge hunks of stuff indoors or out. Easy to switch electrode materials, nothing to jam, no gases to refill, nothing to break, just turn it on, weld something and turn it off. Of course it isn't very portable, and you need a fat 220 outlet. If you learn to use this well, you'll be able to weld just about anything you need.

I have used a 115 volt MIG for years, and just replaced my old one with a new one, even though I do have a fat 220 outlet. Don't sell them short. You can do a lot of work with one, and the portablity is nice. If you expect to do auto body welding, sheet metal, etc. you'll find it perfect for the job. You can still do pretty thick stuff with it, but it takes time and patience. It's easier to get a pretty looking weld with MIG than with a stick, though that doesn't necessarily translate into a better weld.

In theory you may be able to weld up to 1/2 inch steel with a flux-core Ready-Welder, but in reality, I think you'll find it very frustrating, because it will require meticulous preeparation, and you'll be welding in layers, probably having to clean the slag off between passes. I also suspect that you'll end up needing deep-cycle batteries, and owing to recharging times perhaps two sets, if you use it routinely, and the price saving will end up being eaten up by that.

That said, I think it's a neat idea. I wouldn't mind having one myself. Just wouldn't advocate using this as my first or principal machine unless I anticipated a regular need for welding away from a power source.