Cor6996vette

I want to buy a welding machine to use for the house and my cars. After talking to a few people, but only two of them said that if i am the first time user, it 's going to hurt my eye bad for the first few days and if I skip using it for a while and start to it again, it will hurt my eye again. I want to know if this is true ? and what kind of weld machine is good enough for me to use at home that under $500.00 but adequate to use on the C3 frame if I need to? I might buy it at Homedepot. Please give me advise on this.
Thank you so much for your future resonses. I really need to know. :smash:

killain

Perhaps this goes without saying, but you ned a welding face shield with the right lens in it so you don't hurt your eyes. But you knew that didn't you? :lolg:

vairxpert

Who ever told you your eyes will burn is full of it. You wear a good helmet with a decent lens and you will NEVER have any eye irritation. If your eyes do burn you have the wrong type of lens and odds are you've done damage to your eyes...it's not something you get used to.

If you're going to be doing frame work I'd recommend a larger AC/DC Lincoln welder. I don't think you'll pick up a decent mig welder in that price range. And stay away from those cheap Home Depot 120 volt buzz boxes, they are very limited in what they can do.

George

norvalwilhelm

I teach welding classes and it is rediculous to say first time welders will hurt their eyes. I taught a coarse last week for 2 day with 44 students and not one had eye problems. Use a helmet with at least #10 lens, #12 is better but things could get too dark.
For any first time welder mig is the way to go. Stick is too difficult for a total amature and welding a C3 frame is not easy. Unside down or vertical.
I don't know about american prices but the best it a 220V mig with gas.
The wire is .031 and the gas is argon 5-15% CO2.

This machine allows any amature or professional the ability to weld overhead, vertical or fill in gaps.
I do not recommend 110V machines , nor flux core. Flux core is like welding stick.
I don't know if you can do it for $500 american but don't settle for less.]
220V, .031-035 wire and gas. Nothing less.
It take little practice to produce professional looking welds.
I have mig, tig and stick at home and at work everything you can think of and a little home mig machine will do nearly everything.

Ken73

Look on http://www.chpower.com - under factory serviced welders. Mine is the MIG/Flux 105 amp unit. I think I paid under $250 for it. I've welded a gazillion things seems like, but of course I'm no professional. No eye problems at all. I believe my lens is a #12 on my helmet.

NHvette

OK - I'm not going to argue with Norval - clearly an expert in the field.
But, a nice 220v Mig is gonna run you close to $1000. A very nice high-amperage
110v machine can do most jobs nicely. More important than the line voltage
is the output current (amps).
Here is a Hobart (140 amp) MIG at Sears for $499 (less $50 with Sears Card).
http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00920545000

Keep in mind that this machine (as most) does NOT come with a tank for your
Argon/CO gas. Everything else is there to start welding with the flux-cored
wire - but the tank will run you another $60+.

If you look around, cheaper machines are available. I paid under $300
for my 130 amp MIG. Harbor Freight may have some decent units for cheap $$.

Good Luck. :seeya

Mikeb690

I would agree with Norval on this go with MIG if your a first time user, I'm a certified welder and it took my a while to get stick welding down. I also agree
with going with a 220v over the 110v. I've used the 110's at work and they just don't have the power for anything thicker than 3/16". I'm not sure in the prices but I would pay a little more for the 220 considering your going to have this for a long time.
About your eyes you probably will flash yourself a couple times in the begining(from not getting your shield down in time)but don't worry about it, it happens to everyone!! :D
By the way check Sears sometimes they have decent deals

vettfixr

Would using one of the instant darkening helmets be a better idea for an amateur? Are they as safe as the standard lenses? Not getting ready to buy a welder but I'm curious.

norvalwilhelm

Those auto tint helmets are the price of a cheap welder. Mine cost $350 and it is far from the top of the line. I love it but if you are on a budget forget it.

Mikeb690

Probably...thats what I use. You would have to be pretty serious about welding though those shields start at about 300(I think thats what I paid). They do turn dark instantly even if you just strike a match in front of it. You just have to keep an eye on the battery, there is an indicator for when it gets low.

BSeery

Stick welding is easy !!

That is what I was taught on, and had no choice in the matter. Our school was too cheap to buy a wire feed until my senior year.

Line feed is much easier, but stick welding is not that hard if you get plenty of practice first.

Mikeb690

Just don't practice on your C-3 :nono: ...... :lol:

lapdog

got to peep in here (finally something I know something about) I would say if your going to to do your own basic around the garage welding you should really consider a stick welder. The only advantage I see of a mig welder is the ability to tack thin steel for bodywork. This comes with the disadvantages of having to completely clean the base metal, and strength (nothing beats a stick welder for strength with the exception to a heliarc rig)
If your just learnin go with a number 10 lens till you know what you are looking for, then go with a darker lens. Always wear safety glasses as they are usually a shade 1 and will protect you from flashes.

good luck
Lap (owns 69 ragtop , steamfitter welder local 601 Milwaukee Wi.

Mikeb690

Another UA brother? :thumbs:

Ken73

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=47277 ???

427V8

Well All I know is gas welding and I have tried wirefeed. I love my gas welder it can do almost anything except the real thick stuff. 'Tractor work' I call it :D For that you need stick.

If I didn't have a welder I'd get a tig I think...

Smokehouse69

I bought one of the Auto-Darkening helmets last week from Homiers, traveling junk tool sale, $39.00! It actually works!

Mikeb690

Thats a great deal :thumbs: I love mine..I don't think I can got back to the old flip lense!

bn7035

I would suggest getting someone to show the basics of welding or enroll in a welding course before you buy a welder. It takes some practice and a basic understanding of the process to do it properly and look good. Welding overhead or vertical is alot harder than welding in a horizontal position.

If you burn your eyes your doing something wrong and it does hurt! Keep in mind that if you are in the same area of someone welding and you just turn your head away from the welding the light bounces off of walls and can still burn your eyes if you do it long enough. Wearing a thin shirt can also give you sun burn.

Welding can be done very safely but there are some safety rules to go by and the list can get long. Not a good idea to stand in water, breath fumes especially galvanized steel, don't wear polyester or nylon clothing....tends to melt easily and melt into skin :eek: Hey! Another thread.....funny welding stories.

GTR1999

The best thing mentioned - sign up for a night class to get some hands on experience. I just picked up a new Craftsman professional series #20559 MIG welder and it works pretty good up to 3/16- 1/4" It was the only 120 volt unit with adjustable heat range for under $500. I use it in a 20 amp outlet without any problem. It has a 20% duty cycle so you can only use it for up to 2 minutes before lettting it cool down.I wanted the little Lincoln but that was close to another $200 and this Sears welder really isn't too bad. It's made by Century for Sears. I picked up a cart from Harbor Freight and a gas tank locally and used it for several jobs already.
Gary