If you are just looking to learn to weld in your garage, and you're looking
for minimum mess and hassle, I would suggest you go with a MIG welder.
While slightly more expensive then an Arc welder, I've found the cleanliness
of the weld is much better. IMO a MIG is just plain easier to use.
Granted, you need gas with a MIG and an Arc welder is open air, but there's
no stopping in the middle of a weld to attach a new welding stick, the weld
a mig produces is slag free, and once you get the feed rate and gas levels
right, a monkey could use a MIG and get great results. Pay hte extra for a
MIG over an arc welder. you won't be sorry. Pretty sure Lincoln makes
smaller units for home use, might want to look into them. I use a TIG at
school when I weld, much larger PITA then a MIG is IMO, but a much nicer
looking bead and I can get a MUCH stonger weld with a TIG. But if I'm
working under the truck or welding in an odd position, a MIG can't be beat
for ease of use. Hope that helped.
-Chad Sullivan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Willy" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "crx" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Cc: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Sent: Saturday, December 07, 2002 9:01 PM
Subject: Re: CRX: Welders
> I don't know what everyones' needs are, but Harbor Freight has an Arc
> welder for $99 right now. (Item #40388-ORUA) I also don't know a lot
> about welders either...so if this won't suit the needs, then disregard.
>
> Here is it's specs:
> upt to 1/4" plate steel. Top mount handle, stepless current regulator,
> thermal protection, high temp warning liht, and powder coated.
> input 115/230 volts AC: Single phase: Welding Current: 30-140 amps:
> Duty cycle at115V: 15% @65 amps: at 230V:8% @95 amps: amp draw: 15 amps
> @ 115V: Cables 6 gauge: Weldable electrodes: 1/16" to 3/32":
> Dimensions: 14-9/16 x 10-1/4 x 13-1/2"
>
>
> It's by Chicago Electric. I have had my C.E. sander, buffer, and
> sawzall, for as long as we've owned our house, and have had absolutely
> no problems with them. So unless you are hell bent on having one of
> the top name brands, this is a good product for a good price.
>
>
>
>
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