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Welding question
dpmule
Member Posts: 6,652 ✭✭✭✭
My farmboy welds generally fall somewhere between birdshit and bubblegum.
I have an old buzz box Lincoln
I'm looking for some input on getting an upgrade to an engine driven unit to be mobile for welding fairly thin metals to welding pipe fencing and general farm repair.
Thoughts on stick versus wire feed are appreciated.
Mule
I have an old buzz box Lincoln
I'm looking for some input on getting an upgrade to an engine driven unit to be mobile for welding fairly thin metals to welding pipe fencing and general farm repair.
Thoughts on stick versus wire feed are appreciated.
Mule
Comments
I would go for a decent size generator THEN plug in a flux core wire welder. This gives you the added choice to plug in that grinder you need to clean the metal before welding. Or other tools too. The gas bottle
larger welders are much more versatile, But you will will find carrying tanks that end up empty when you need it is not fun.
A good 150 or amp wire machine will do all you ask of it.
The Hobarth 140 is a nice set up, will handle gas bottles and flux core wire.
Play with a wire machine for a few hours and your welding skills will be great.
Try different wire speeds/amps/volts and see the effects.
I've been waiting for you to put a welder up for sale at discounted price
I've been holding off bidding on any of your stuff, hoping you could recoup some of the money
Mule
I wouldn't waste the money on the gunbroker listing fees Dave, I'd just send it to you.....
If you have a DC stick welder, preferably a newer version with CV(constant voltage) setting , you can get a wire feeder unit similar to this: https://www.ebay.com/p/96720-Lincoln-Electric-Ln-25-Pro-Portable-Wire-Feeder/1701569907?iid=401722301313&chn=ps This is a wire feeder that gets power from your stick machine, so you have wire capability also. I have a Hobart wire feeder, commonly called a "suit case welder" similar to the LN25 in the link. It is my only wire feed. In the shop it runs off a Lincoln Ideal arc 250 amp DC machine. I can also take the feeder, and the Hobart portable to the woods, and have wire capability. Both of my welders are CC(constant current), which will run a wire feeder, but they work better on machines with a CV setting.
If you are going to need to put down a 1/4" fillet in one pass, this is not the machine for you, so it may not be good for farm repairs.
I think Home Depot still sells them. I got mine a half price during a sale, but they are around $ 300.00 IIRC.
Brad Steele
If you are going to do it yourself, practice on non essential stuff first. Get material similar to what you are repairing, weld it, then try and break it, or cut it to see how well you did.
Lincoln and Miller generator welders are good, get one with 220 output so you have a generator for power outages as well, or running your compressor etc. They are not cheap, and will hold their value over the years.
Or just get a good generator and a 220v mig. This gives you alot more versatility. It doesn't sound like you need a big heavy duty stick machine like a Pipeliner etc. For point and shoot and pray to god it holds, a good wire machine will work for you.
There are a couple good chinese brands that work well. I have an Eastwood wire feed with spool gun attachment, and Lotos Tig Plasma. I also have the standard buzz boxes, torches, 110 mig.
On the farm you will wonder why you waited so long to buy a plasma cutter. With the generator or good welder with generator, you can drag your air compressor for the plasma with you. The DC welder could power a plasma cutter, so if you are buying new, ask about the machine that makes that the easiest to set up.
Spend the extra money now and you will be very happy later.