Topic: What Type of Welder should I be looking at?

[Burke]

There have been many times that I could have used a welder either to fab  bracket mount or small metal repairs.

I have little to no experience with welding, but would like to start learning.
Any ideas where to start?

[Cvillechopper]

I started with a $200 Craftsman line-feed mig from Sears.  Haven't yet moved up to a better model but haven't needed to for what I use it for.  Even build my chopper using it.  Only real issue is adjustment.  You can only go but so low, gauge-wise, before you start blowing through.

Good luck.

[Burke]

I sorry , this should have been posted in the Open forum, not the SOHC tech forum.

But I do plan on using it on my CB750

[johnny_from_bel]

There have been many times that I could have used a welder either to fab  bracket mount or small metal repairs.

I have little to no experience with welding, but would like to start learning.
Any ideas where to start?

Night school.
I went two years. A good weld takes technique and a lot of practice.
For the rest I use a $50 stick welder.

[MJL]

Definitely take a class. Then, IMHO, nothing less than a name brand 220v welder.

[RSVbruno]

I agree with MJL...220v And on that note, I just picked up a Hobart 187 Mig so far I'm pretty happy with it.  It will use that fluxcore stuff as well as it comes with a regulator and gauges for using gas shielding for stainless and aluminum.  BUT that cost me 700 bucks.  And I am waiting to take the classes because I suck.  But even with crappy welds I make some good brackets! haha.

[Triffecpa]

a 110v flux core MIG welder will do about 95% of what you need.  Don't know current prices, but I have a factory reman Lincoln that I bought several years ago for under $300.  110v works fine for wire feed.  If you had a stick welder, then 220v is necessary.  I've also had really good luck with the flux core wire.  It leaves a bit of residue on the weld, but that buffs right off with a wire brush.  It's not nearly as hard of a coating as the old stick welders used to leave.

Tracy

[TE 450 Pilot]

I would go with a 220 V welder. Just to compare welders i looked at a 110 V Lincoln welder the duty cycle was 20% at 90 amps. That means at 90 amps you can weld for 2 out of every 10 minutes or the welder shuts down to cool. The 220V Lincoln has a duty cycle of 30% at 120 amps. Doing things like sheet metal the 220V will not likely have to stop. IMO the 220V is worth the extra few $$. Like others said take a class , it is worth the money.

On a side note , most of these small welders come set up to run flux core wire. If you can get one that will also run hard wire , which uses a gas shielding to weld. The flux core , since contains the shielding in the wire can be used outside on a windy day. Flux core is much more smokey and does not weld near as nice as hard wire. If you want in the future you can always add a spool gun to MiG weld aluminum

Remember , if you can afford it buy a good name brand like Lincoln or Miller and a 220V. A machine like this will last you for a very long time.

In case you have not guessed it , i have been a certified welder as well as a weld supervisor for 30 years .

Randy

[Burke]

Thanks guys.
I think the local center has welding classes, and I have been kicking it around for a while.

[mystic_1]

Buy the best welder you can, but as yourself how much of a welder you need.

A 220V machine will certainly do everything you want, but how often will you be welding anything thicker than 1/4 inch?  Most things on a motorcycle are far thinner than that, so 110v is fine for this application.  Also, unless you have a 220v line in your workspace you'd need to pull a new circuit.  (This assumes your technique is good, gotta make sure you have good penetration).

Do you need to lay beads for 10 minutes straight without stopping?  Most welds on a motorcycle are far shorter than that and time spent in setup and prep negates a lot of the duty cycle concern.  

Will you be welding aluminum?  MIG welders usually require an add-on kit for this (spool gun).


Personally I bought a Lincoln Weldpak 3200HD kit.  Nice range with 25A-135A output, 20% duty.  I've never had the welder go into thermal shutdown so far.  Kit includes the welder, regulator, cart, etc.  Just add gas bottle.

BTW I found that I hate using flux-core wire, gas MIG is much nicer for a variety of reasons.

mystic_1

[manjisann]

I just went through this delema and here is what I learned. If you don't mind waiting take the class (I haven't done this part yet, hopefully fall or definately by spring semester.) This will obviously teach you how to weld, but also if you decide to go the used welder route, it will teach you what to check on the welder. I bought a used Lincoln 175HD it came with an auto darkening helmet, a cart and co2 bottle. I ended up swapping the co2 bottle for the argon/c02 mix. As time has gone on, I have found several things that the PO rigged for some stupid reason and so I have had to correct them. Fortunately none of them have been detrimental to the long term operation of the welder, but it sure fubar'd some of my welds. Obviously if you buy new, you won't run into this.

I decided to go with the 220v for several reasons. First, my friend and I know how to run electrical, so we didn't have to pay someone else to come run it. Second, I am sure I will be doing welding on things other than just motorcycles (although they will most likely be the majority) so I wanted the added ability for that. That being said, I know many on this forum do a bang up job with a 110v, KingsKustomCycle I believe uses a 110v and says it has done everything he has ever asked it to. Ultimately it comes to what you want to do with it.

Wow, that is a lot of words for saying so little 

HTH,

Brandon