Rob
I have an old Buzz box you can have. Put new cables on it and its good to go. Wont help you as a MIG or TIG though.
Frank

_________________
Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

Thanks Frank! I may take you up on that. Is it a 110 or 220? I could make some messes with that, huh?

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

A Lincoln ac/dc 225 "tombstone" stick welder or similar Miller or Hobart is a good choice ( Miller owns Hobart ). I think a 220 DC arc welder is better than a low end MIG. A DC arc welder is easier to use than AC.

A Harbor Freight oxy-oxyacetylene welder is cheap and is a virtual clone of the medium duty Victor with parts interchangebility. You can use propane for most gas welding and get by cheap.

Rob Its 220. Give me a call and Ill give you some info in Mig machines that a COST reasonable.
Frank

_________________
Scrapple: Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
73 Duster - Race Car
66 Dart Wagon - DD
178" FED
82 D150
All Slant powered

Will do. We can "Talk some Slant"

_________________
Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

So,... My birhtday was Friday...

It's not a 220 as originally planned, but I think this little jobber will do pretty much everything I'll need it to for the foreseeable future. Given the time I have to fiddle and teach myself to weld, this thing may likely stay in the box until the after the three year warranty runs out...

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200405530

They got it at Home Depot for $524. With a 10% military discount it was under $500.

I'll report back if/when I get around to using it.

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

It should serve you well!

Go visit Frank, help him mop up, and have him give you some pointers.
Another great source of training may be at the community college. They have welding courses that help you develop the right skills and habits.

Have fun!

CJ

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Part of Tyrde-Browne Racing

FYI...don't buy used. I'ved bought a used before and got to use to a few times before it bit the dust. Make sure you get a good long duty cycle, the longer the better.

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A little rebellion now and then... is a medicine necessary for the sound health of government. Thomas Jefferson

My brother-in-law was a welder by trade. I'm trying to get him to come for a visit.

I checked with the community college right across from my house, but they don't offer evening or weekend welding classes.

I'll get there eventually.

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

This is a bit oversimplified exception, not the general rule of thumb. You would be much better off with a used good condition name brand machine (say lincoln/miller/esab) then harbor freight.

Rob - when you finish with the small spool of wire it comes with - remember the bigger 8" / 12lb rolls are significantly cheaper.

Thanks Pierre. I'll remember that (if I ever get around to taking this thing out of the box and using it... )

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Rob

I’m Mater
The Kentucky Poser

I consider myself an "experienced beginner" with MIG and I use a Millermatic 211. I love it. It's a great quality, very reliable welder, regardless if you're a beginner or experienced. a great feature is that you can use it with either a 110V or 220V outlet (just gotta swap the plug, which twists and locks into place on the power cord). Used it to build brackets to install Mazda seats into my truck, which was my first serious fabrication project.

Couple pics of my welds with it:

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'74 Duster w/ HEI ignition, beat to snot suspension, A904, 8.25" 3.55 SG rear, still being tuned up and gets 17 MPG

Know how they always build a better idiot? That's me