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Can you recommend a good welder?
NeoBlackdog
Member Posts: 17,190 ✭✭✭✭
I'm needing a decent little stick welder. Something that will run on 110V and use less than 2000 watts since this is what portable generator puts out. I'd like to be able to weld up to 1/4" but given the voltage and wattage limitations that may not be doable.
We have a lot of steel fences on the property and they look great but whoever put 'em up didn't get the horizontal rods welded to the posts very well. I watched the bull scratching his head on one yesterday and he popped the rod right off.
Any thoughts?
Comments
@NeoBlackdog I got one similar to this one about 23 years ago and built lots of pipe fence with it over the years and a couple of barns. Back then they were about $800.00 at the big box stores and I put it in a cart that I pulled around with riding mower. I don't think I ever used rods bigger than 1/8th inch, but it did the job. I still got it in one of the barns but haven't fired it up in over 6 years.
Thanks, Ruger! I'm in for the giveaway! LOL!
ive done what you re trying to do before, use my backup generator and run a stick welder. i really think you are going to need to step up to 220v to be successful. i am not a fan of a welder/gen setup, dont get me wrong, they work very well. the problem is, if you have a problem you usually lose both functions. almost any little "cracker box" AC welder would work for most of your needs. i have a Montgomery Wards that i have welded with for nearly 50 years and i bought it used. look at the Harbor Freight ones, they seem to be pretty good machines for the money and like everything else you can spend all the money in the bank on this purchase but do you really need to?
I couldn't afford the shipping so no give away Sorry!
I didn't have a generator at the time I got mine or I probably would have gone the route @varian suggests. Found this list you may want to check out.
For what you are wanting, I'd get the Hobart Stickmate 160 listed in Ruger's link above. It's still going to e dicey getting this to work on a 2kw generator. Everything is going to be running at max.
a two kw generator at 115v will provide 17.4amps of output.
Eastwood makes a good machine like in the picture above and so does Hobart. I think if I needed to do what you are doing I would go with the Eastwood. They are a good value machine and its not like you are going to be using it all the time.
I needed the same thing a few years ago and went with the Hobart. Its been a good machine but its made in frickin china, which I didn't know at the time or I would not have bought it.
I was going to say I am a good welder and could come up and knock that out for you for room board and gas money😉
I cannot. Hope this helps.
And fiery auto crashes
Some will die in hot pursuit
While sifting through my ashes
Some will fall in love with life
And drink it from a fountain
That is pouring like an avalanche
Coming down the mountain
Better bring a fishin' pole!
OH I will and a varmint rifle.
I was once told by a friend who was a professional welder that I make gorilla welds... (ugly as hell but strong as all get out!)😁