Topic: gas welder

[cobra]

I am looking to buy a gas welder, doe's anyone have any info on a good make, i have read reports about some that are too powerfull, that blow holes in everthing, and some that are not powerfull enough, its only for light welding, brackets, frame, etc. but would like to buy the right one, and i think personal recommendation would help, what do you use?.

[Eddie]

I have Eastwoods Mig135. Awesome, affordable welder. Easy to use. when they have them on sale you get a cart, helmet, wire.

[cougar]

Cobra ; I've welded thin sheet metal with Millermatic 251's (big Healthy 220 volt units) and cycle frames with a Hobart 135 or 140 (can't remember,similar to "Eddie's) . So it's kind of a matter of your cash situation. I've welded in fab shops for about 5 years and also weld here at home. I currently have 2 welders, a Large Airco Dipstick 160 which is a Powerful 220 volt that will 1/4' with NO problem . Then I also have the 110 volt Hobart which I have welded bike frames with (didn't have my big 1 then) . To me if you've got the $$$ and the juice for a 220 volt welder I'ld go with a 220 unit. If you go with a smaller 120 volt unit, you'll wind up wanting a 220 before to long (IMHO) . Whatever you choose, buy a Good brand, Eastwood, Miller something to that affect. This is a tool and you'll get what you you paid for. 2 things I might add, if your cash allows buy 1 that will take a spool gun (will come in handy in some situations) and also 1 that you can easily convert to sheilded/no gas wire. This will come in handy if you need to weld in a windy situation.   Hope this Novel, LOL helps.   ...cougar...

[Flying J]

I love my miller TIG

[Terry in Australia]

Are we talking about a "Gas Welder" (Oxygen/Acetylene) or a MIG/TIG "Electric" welder with an inert gas?

Oxy/acetylene is a nice versatile system capable of being used for a variety of tasks, soldering, brazing, bending, shrinking, stretching, etc etc. MIG/TIG welders are used more for just joining two pieces of metal, whether it be steel or aluminum work.

If you can master an Oxy/Acetylene welder it'll put you in good stead for MIG (easy) and TIG. (some skill required) Cheers, Terry.

[Bailgang]

I use a 20+ year old 220 volt SnapOn mig that's plenty big enough for me and yes depending on how thick the piece I'm welding it can blow a hole through something. Whether or not the welder you choose is too powerful really depends on how much adjustment it has and what gauge wire you're using to weld. If I know I'm going to be welding a bunch of thin stuff I'll use a thin gauge wire so I don't have to turn the welder up as much.

What I do recommend is choosing a welder that expendable parts are easy to obtain meaning things like tips, nozzles and diffusers.