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AR15L
Site Supporter
Location: Nampa, Idaho Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 Posts: 19386
Real Name: Rick
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I know how to weld both stick and mig. Don't know tig, though. But I haven't done any welding in years... decades.
So, now that I've moved to Spudville and don't have a known local (i.e. cheap) welder guy, I figured I'd be better off doing my own.
Yes, we all know Lincoln & Miller are the top dogs but does anyone have any input on the HF stuff or something else worth looking at?
Keep in mind, this is for light stuff. I'm not trying to run a business. Also, I don't have 220V to plug into. So 120V it is.
_________________ ‘What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits’
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Mon May 31, 2021 6:09 am |
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dldarrow
Location: Anacortes, WA Joined: Sat Dec 19, 2020 Posts: 6
Real Name: Darby Darrow
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I've got a Hobart 140 which is a 120v unit and it has run great for years. I am by no means a pro but is has done all the light steel work that I've asked of it.
And if I understand correctly it is made by Miller.
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Wed Jun 02, 2021 12:39 pm |
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mcyclonegt
Site Supporter
Location: West Olympia Joined: Mon May 28, 2012 Posts: 6816
Real Name: Matt
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There are tons of good videos on the pros and cons of cheap Chinese wire welders. There isn’t anything wrong with them for a homeowner that has the patients get it welding right. I don’t have personal experience with them, but know many people that have zero complaints. This was not the case 20 years ago. Buy a new one with warranty. Amazon has a huge selection also. For a little more money the Hobart is an excellent machine.
_________________ "I'm Hub McCann. I've fought in two World Wars and countless smaller ones on three continents. I led thousands of men into battle with everything from horses and swords to artillery and TANKS! I've seen the headwaters of the Nile, and tribes of natives no white man had ever seen before. I've won and lost a dozen fortunes, KILLED MANY MEN! And loved only one woman, with a passion a FLEA like you could never begin to understand. That's who I am. NOW, GO HOME, BOY!"
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones". Albert Einstein 1947
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Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:21 pm |
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Old Growth
Site Supporter
Location: Nisqually Valley Joined: Wed Oct 5, 2016 Posts: 4814
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Just buddy up with the local muffler shop. They will weld most anything for a small charge.
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Wed Jun 02, 2021 1:30 pm |
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Arisaka
Site Supporter
Location: Tacoma Joined: Sat May 4, 2013 Posts: 6196
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If not lincoln or miller, than Hobart. Then check Amazon for imports
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Wed Jun 02, 2021 2:05 pm |
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shaggy
Site Supporter
Location: Snohomish Co Joined: Thu Sep 13, 2018 Posts: 1797
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I've been using the same used lincoln 110v for almost 20 years, no serious issues.
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Wed Jun 02, 2021 3:41 pm |
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mtnwkr
Site Supporter
Location: Port Orchard Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2012 Posts: 797
Real Name: Josh
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I'd definitely check the local classifieds. Some see hardly any use. I bought my Lincoln 140 mig about 10 years ago(got it new on CL) but have probably put less than 1 hour of actual run time on it. No problems, wouldn't hesitate to weld 3/8" steel that was properly beveled. This is pretty much what I have. https://www.farmandfleet.com/products/6 ... elder.html
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Wed Jun 02, 2021 6:29 pm |
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hartcreek
Location: Union Gap Joined: Sun Mar 27, 2016 Posts: 1722
Real Name: Randall Knapp
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Why do you only have 110? It is an easy thing to drop in a 220 circuit. I put in a 220 stinger at the cabin so I can weld up there when I need to. The first thing I welded using that stinger was 10 inch I beams to make a road drain. I have a Hobart 180 and an old Century AC stick.
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Wed Jun 02, 2021 10:28 pm |
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AR15L
Site Supporter
Location: Nampa, Idaho Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 Posts: 19386
Real Name: Rick
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_________________ ‘What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits’
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Thu Jun 03, 2021 5:31 am |
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Rottenryan
Site Supporter
Location: Tumwater Joined: Thu Mar 22, 2018 Posts: 642
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Make sure that's an owner bottle and not a lease/rental. And that size bottle runs about $100. Check to make sure the whip is good (liner isn't crushed, torn, cut, etc.) Consumables are what they are but if the whip is cut/torn often times it's not cost effective. Liner's can be replaced pretty easy. I've even duct taped them to get me by. Also, check the duty cycle on it. The lower the percentage the less time you can use it.
_________________ ...a wise man once said "all you need is what's around you"
Well, when I looked around all I saw was a pimp with a shiny pair of shoes and a '49 Mercury!
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Thu Jun 03, 2021 5:41 am |
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AR15L
Site Supporter
Location: Nampa, Idaho Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 Posts: 19386
Real Name: Rick
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Rottenryan wrote: Make sure that's an owner bottle and not a lease/rental. And that size bottle runs about $100. Check to make sure the whip is good (liner isn't crushed, torn, cut, etc.) Consumables are what they are but if the whip is cut/torn often times it's not cost effective. Liner's can be replaced pretty easy. I've even duct taped them to get me by. Also, check the duty cycle on it. The lower the percentage the less time you can use it. Thanks for the advice on the bottle. I completely forgot about the owner lease thing.
_________________ ‘What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits’
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Thu Jun 03, 2021 6:30 am |
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AR15L
Site Supporter
Location: Nampa, Idaho Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 Posts: 19386
Real Name: Rick
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Well, skip that one. It's sold.
_________________ ‘What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits’
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Thu Jun 03, 2021 8:30 am |
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AR15L
Site Supporter
Location: Nampa, Idaho Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 Posts: 19386
Real Name: Rick
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hartcreek wrote: Why do you only have 110? It is an easy thing to drop in a 220 circuit. I put in a 220 stinger at the cabin so I can weld up there when I need to. The first thing I welded using that stinger was 10 inch I beams to make a road drain. I have a Hobart 180 and an old Century AC stick. Your post got me thinking, very dangerous sometimes. I checked the box. Well lookie there Jethro, 200 amp service with a double open space on top and at the bottom! With this new found knowledge, you've just helped me expand my search.
_________________ ‘What’s the point of being a citizen if an illegal gets all the benefits’
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Sun Jun 06, 2021 9:12 am |
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