What to buy

[freerider15]

Ok, here's a follow-up question. If I bought a good used 120V welder (Like a Lincoln 140) instead of a 240v, would I completely hate life?

A 120V Welder will probably do most everything you'll need it to.

However, i'm in the school of though of do it once, and be done with it (though I do want a 120V welder to bring on wheeling trips). I would still vote for a 240V unit. My 240V unit (Hobart 180) isn't much of any bigger than a 120V units, but it can do a bit more.

Welding 1/4" in one pass with gas, not flux, is no problem for me where as it would be with a 120V unit.

 

[Digger87xj]

a 220 unit will use less electricity for the same amount of work, too.

 

[Frank Z]

Don't bother getting a 110v, it's like buying a budget boost instead of a real lift kit.

Go 220v or don't bother.

 

[chpmnsws6]

You also need to do a lot of welding before you start making bumpers, let alone try to sell parts.

I've been welding for years, but still didn't trust myself to fab a clean bumper, hence why I have one of Franks bumpers here I had on my Jeep for a few years.

P.S.- Its for sale. Stock one is back on as I'm never off pavement these days.

 

[YELLAHEEP]

I'm not the best or most experience welder, but I've tried fabbing using both 110 and 220 and unless you really learn how to get the most out of a 110 when building 3/16" steel bumpers..... it's best to go with the 220 and know your welds will be stronger.

Heat and penetration are the keys from what I've learned and you gotta weld slow with a 110 to get the heat for good penetration.

A 110 would be good for putting together the "skin" of the bumper, but for brackets and anchor points...... I'd have a hard time trusting the 110.

 

[xj-grin]

I conceptually agree -- that said, all the axle brackets on the WJ were cooked up with a 110, and almost 2 years later they aren't going anywhere... as was the tire carrier on my XJ, including welding a D44 spindle to 1/2" plate. That took some time and several passes, obviously.

 

[time2getdirty]

If you get a welder I can show you how to get the most out of it if you want. And if you decide to just buy a bumper hit me up as well

 

[SolarBell]

So is a Lincoln 180c with a cart, regulator, and empty tank for $875 a decent deal? Seems a little high to me for a used unit based on current new prices.

 

[DutchVDub]

Meh, its not a terrible deal. I probably paid a good 1200$ for my setup new with the smaller bottle. What size bottle is it that you'd be getting with it?

I'd offer him like 800$ even for it, or maybe drop down to 750$ and go from there.

 

[UnlimitedMatt]

So is a Lincoln 180c with a cart, regulator, and empty tank for $875 a decent deal? Seems a little high to me for a used unit based on current new prices.

You need to ask yourself 'why is he selling it?'. As long as you can live with his answer, I think it is a fair price. I'd do what Dutch said and make a low cash offer.

 

[jimgrms]

see it work b4 you buy it