First welder

boobq · Joined: 25 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

Hi everyone,

I have decided to build my own Smoker and I am new to welding. I am looking for a welder that will weld up to 1/4 thick, I have local shops in my town lowes , home depot, harbor freight, sears and northern tools. Can someone lead me to a certain brand/ model welder which Is good for a beginner and then I can start practicing with scrap metal. I am looking for a decent welder that will last me a long time.

Thanks

k.a.m. · Posted: Sat Feb 25 12 12:18 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the ring boobq, looking forward to seeing some pics of your cooks and following your cooker build. Smile

I prefer stick welding but wire feeds are a bit easier to learn on. If I were going to get a wire feed I would purchase this one.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/handler190/

Now stick machines I would purchase an AC/DC machine they are less expensive but the learning curve is higher.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/stick/stickmate-lx235ac-160dc/
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Maniac · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 1310 Location: Pa

k.a.m. gave you two great choices. If you plan on welding alum. you will have to buy the spool gun. If not the choice is yours good luck Smile

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GreenSmoker · Posted: Sat Feb 25 12 4:42 pm Post subject:

+1 on k.a.m.'s comments. Craigslist.com is a good source of used items. Bought my Lincoln 175 there and there is always a big selection on sale.

Look around as prices where ever you buy vary a good bit.
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boobq · Joined: 25 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

Thanks everyone!

In your opinion what tool is often used among you guys for cutting the propane tanks besides a plasma cutter?

k.a.m. · Posted: Sat Feb 25 12 10:41 pm Post subject: Re: First welder

GF · Posted: Sun Feb 26 12 12:06 am Post subject:

boobq, just kinda throwing this out for ya.
I agree with k.a.m. about a torch but, do you have a grinder already?
If you don't that would be at the top of my to buy list.
Just begining to weld, you and that grinder are gonna be good friends. Wink

If you have one already or can get a grinder and a torch, even better. Very Happy

Looking forward to seeing your build pics.

TonyMo · Posted: Sun Feb 26 12 4:23 am Post subject:

I am just a hobby welder but but a will second a vote for Hobart. I just upgraded from a 150amp Lincoln to a Hobart 210MVP.
MVP is for "multi voltage plug." You can use it with either 210 or 110 volt by just switching out the plugs. I have 210v in my little garage shop but now I can use it with 110v at my camp with my generator for some smaller projects.
A spool gun is available for it should I ever want to weld aluminum
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/handler210/

Wreckless · Posted: Sun Feb 26 12 12:07 pm Post subject:

Welcome to the Ring, Boobq. Very Happy

The link provides some excellent starter points. It was created by Ringers that have had a fair amount of success building cookers. The equipment list may or may not seem long but it is bare bones IMHO. Anything less may render this a short lived project when the frustration sets in. Good luck, post pics.
http://thesmokering.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=44733&start=0
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boobq · Joined: 25 Feb 2012 Posts: 6

What brand grinder do you guys recommend as for quality and long lasting?

Whats everyone's choice to use in cutting metal?

I am gonna pick up basic tools this week that I need for the build.

Thanks

Maniac · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 01 Oct 2010 Posts: 1310 Location: Pa

Boobq I like metabo grinders for taking abuse. o/a for cutting and bending. plasma for cutting. cheap chop saw. bandsaw is nice too. good luck on your search Very Happy

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20" disc
uds

Bedlam BBQ · Posted: Mon Feb 27 12 10:18 pm Post subject: Re: First welder

QTEX · Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 84

For beginner welders its hard to beat the Lincoln acdc model. Fairly inexpesive and good enough to do just about anything once you have more experience. I use my Millermatic mig 135 on 3/16 and 1/4 all the time, good enough on bbq pits (not building trailer) where not real stress and or penetration is that big of a deal. In the areas that really need it I use the stick and a 7018 rod.
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Equipment/Pages/product.aspx?product=K1297

gandrfab · Newbie Joined: 07 Feb 2012 Posts: 34 Location: Sanford fl

Toysrme · Joined: 01 Mar 2012 Posts: 11

bob.
Speedglas helmets > anything else (The SL series is great for professional welders. the weight is amazing & curved shields last much longer)
can't beat Makita grinders. ever. Powerful & unlike grinders from dewalt, milwalkee, etc they are very safe. great trigger/lock mechanisms & you have NO REASON to remove the safety shield from the grinder unlike every other grinder brand i've ever encountered. Undo the latch, spin the shield, redo the latch = brilliant.
can't beat Makita's cordless impact drivers. (the 3 piece florescent worklight + drill-driver is a nice way to get them)

head and shoulders above the rest.

virtually every car mechanics shop (Toyota or Nissan) i ever worked in or have walked in had every person running Makita cordless tools

virtually every large welding / fab shop/job i've ever been in used Speedglas helmets & Makita grinders

consequently i have a speedglas SL (OMG the light weight & comfortable strap is so nice to work in. I die anytime I have to pull out another heavy helmet to get a very dark shade) and Makita tools.
No complaint, only positives to say. Powerful, lasts a long time, very comfortable, very safe.

QTEX · Newbie Joined: 23 Jan 2012 Posts: 84

Would also add to get a auto dark helmet, big BIG plus for a beginner and even pro, I have two and love them. They are cheaper now than ever before

k.a.m. · Posted: Thu Mar 01 12 7:34 pm Post subject: Re: angle grinder

Blazer · Posted: Thu Mar 01 12 8:14 pm Post subject:

+ 1 on the dewalt, The paddle switch has saved my skin more than once. Parts are easy to get,I just put brushes in 12 of the ten amp model for around ten bucks a grinder. Very Happy

Toysrme · Joined: 01 Mar 2012 Posts: 11

for cutting in shops i go either way. plasma or oxyace. either way for hand cutting doesn't matter. obviously only plasma for CNC, and oxyace works very well for staight or bevel cuts on linear track setups.

at home i sold my oxy fuel kit quite a few years ago. i had bought one of the chinese stick/dc tig/plasma units on the cheap off an importer & found i hadn't used the fuel torch in years to actually anneal anything at home. i was just using the china-meow box in plasma mode. was grabbing a propane torch to light the grill, heat stuck parts was more convenient.
plus i did a lot of aluminum & stainless work at home for several years & you have to have plasma.

TrailerBuilder · Posted: Fri Mar 02 12 10:16 pm Post subject:

toysrme wrote