Re: Welding - it's not just for breakfast anymore

On Sat, 29 Apr 2006 18:34:27 -0500, Louis Ohland <ohland@xxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
reader wrote:
"Louis Ohland" <ohland@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:w5S4g.132$SQ1.119@xxxxxxxxxxx

Looking for advice on welders. I am not hot on oxy-acetaline due to
it's ise of gas.

Whatcha gonna weld?

Steel. Mostly small parts and fixtures, with a few workbenches thrown in
[;-)].

Wirefeed - either fluxcore or MIG gas shielded. It's easy to learn,
supplies and consumables are not inexpensive, gives good results.

If you are going to make those workbenches out of heavy gauge angle
and tube, go for one of the smaller 220VAC input, 200A plus welding
output units (Miller MillerMatic 210 or 251 or similar) and here's
why...

It's better to get the biggest machine you can afford and envision
using now, because as you learn and start doing bigger things, you
quickly outgrow the 'baby' 120VAC input, 100A output class MIG welders
- though they do have their places, like for tossing into the back of
the truck to weld gate hardware and erect wrought iron fence panels.

And you get much nicer results with gas shielding, so get a welder
already equipped for it. Straight CO2 is cheap for steel work, other
argon or helium mixed shield gases are not - but you need the gas
shielding for trickier materials like stainless and aluminum.

And watch the Duty Cycle ratings, the better welders have 50% to
100% duty cycle (depending on the output setting) meaning you can keep
working till you're done. With a 10% duty cycle you do one or two
welds and then have to stop and let the equipment cool.

--<< Bruce >>--

--
Bruce L. Bergman, Woodland Hills (Los Angeles) CA - Desktop
Electrician for Westend Electric - CA726700
5737 Kanan Rd. #359, Agoura CA 91301 (818) 889-9545
Spamtrapped address: Remove the python and the invalid, and use a net.
.

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