Welding?

[xrider101]

Hey Forum,

I am looking to make some mods to my buggy and go kart so does anyone know any good welding companies with cool prices in there machines possibly cutting and welding in 1.....the sooner i can know the sooner i can get started and share some pics:devil: :devil: :devil: :devil:

[Ichoptop]

I dont know of any all in one machines but when buying tools like this look at quality over price. I have 2 Miller 135 welders that have miles of wire through them. Theres pretty much nothing I can to with them from body work to chassis fab. I also run a Miller plasma cutter, prices have come down but they are still pretty expensive so maybe look into a torch setup like Victor.

[CJM]

The single best DIY mig welder is the hobart handler 187. It needs 230 volts to operate (not your standard household outlet, more the one an electric dryer would use), but it will with some shielding gas weld anything you want, but it isnt cheap.

A good stick welder will do anything you want if you can weld with it and power it. There are also cheaper mig welders, such as the 115v hobarts, millers, lincolns, etc.

Shielding gas is worth it, your welds dont look like snot and usually penetrate better too, but fluxcore wire can be used (no shielding gas needed) and does work but it aint as pretty and sometimes isnt as good a weld.

As for cutting, a grinder qwith a cut off wheel works really well. Or an oxy/acet torch like a victor as already suggested.

None of this stuff is cheap btw, expect to invent as least 1000 bucks in good quality stuff unless you can find it used.

[xrider101]

Actually i have purchased another welder already and it was a sweet deal for what i was asking for....i got it from longevity welding so check it out and let me know what u think and i'll post some pics as soon as i get it:blah: :devil: :blah: :devil: :blah:


http://www.longevity-inc.com/productdetail_230/Multi-Purpose-Units/WeldAll-160PI.php

[beags86]

Originally posted by CJM
The single best DIY mig welder is the hobart handler 187.

thats a personal opinion...




Originally posted by CJM

Shielding gas is worth it, your welds dont look like snot and usually penetrate better too, but fluxcore wire can be used (no shielding gas needed) and does work but it aint as pretty and sometimes isnt as good a weld.


not true.. any good welder worth his weight can put down a good weld with flux core.

flux core is a bit harder to get a hang of, but i would suggest spending some time with some scrap practicing.

- but thats a good thing to regardless of your skill and experience.

[yam450_53]

Flux core isn't any harder than mig welding... the only thing that changes is the wire, and you need to use higher settings because it's made for welding thick plates. You can use it with or without gas depends on what kind of wire you're using, but it's certainly not what I would recommend for welding a buggy frame. A little mig welder will be just fine if you're a beginner and have had no experience welding before, and definitely use shield gas if you don't want it to fall appart at the first bump you'll hit. If you really want the best quality go with Lincoln, they are the porsche of welding machines. Miller is good also.

[3400ben]

What about a good tig? You can weld alum, steel , stainless.

[yam450_53]

Yes but TIG machine prices are higher for entry models and you can't weld very thick metals with it, not to mention it's generally a lot harder to TIG weld for a beginner.

[CJM]

with all due respect beags, Ive welded alot of stuff and the gas always makes cleaner, better penetrating welds than the flux wire.

[Ruby Soho]

I use a miller mig, fluxcore works just fine but gas is just so much nicer.

The only thing I can suggest is read up/study/talk to someone who is a welder to get you familiar with heats/speeds thicknesses etc.. and then PRACTICE. You don't want a weld to fail in a buggy.

[beags86]

Originally posted by yam450_53
Flux core isn't any harder than mig welding... the only thing that changes is the wire, and you need to use higher settings because it's made for welding thick plates.

are you a welder? most people that are talking about flux core are talking about the flux core you use in small 110 welders and habor freight welders and such. not many people know that flux is really for HEAVY welding. i use 16 dual shield flux everyday.


Originally posted by yam450_53

If you really want the best quality go with Lincoln, they are the porsche of welding machines. Miller is good also.

i agree, in my opinion lincoln are the best.

[CJM]

Originally posted by beags86
are you a welder? most people that are talking about flux core are talking about the flux core you use in small 110 welders and habor freight welders and such. not many people know that flux is really for HEAVY welding. i use 16 dual shield flux everyday.



i agree, in my opinion lincoln are the best.

Thats what I was referring to, people who use flux cored wire b/c they dont have a gas setup.

[xrider101]

here are some pics of my machine and some cuts:macho :macho :macho


http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/eddiesummers67/CAM_0989Small.jpg

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/eddiesummers67/CAM_0987Small.jpg

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/eddiesummers67/CAM_0994Small.jpg

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/eddiesummers67/CAM_0998Small.jpg

http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae45/eddiesummers67/CAM_0644Small.jpg