looking to buy my first welder

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He said it is 3 years old and it does come with a regulator, so all I would need is a tank or fluxcore wire
I definitely plan on trying it out

Sounds like a reasonable deal.

Keep in mind, IF it isn't set up for gas and he just has the kit with it, some things need to be changed to run the gas as opposed to flux wire.

At least the one I have did, if I remember correctly I had to change the polarity.

Just something to keep in mind.
 
Thanks for the heads up Bruce
He said he had it hooked up to argon, and I asked him to hook it back up for me so I can try it out when I go to look at it tomorrow
 
He hadn't mentioned it, I just texted him and asked

He said it is 3 years old and it does come with a regulator, so all I would need is a tank or fluxcore wire
I definitely plan on trying it out
I would just buy a new welder
And get a cylinder of 25/75. I don't think you will be happy using flux core wire. Just my humble opinion.
 
hey guys
im looking to buy my first welder

here is the thing, i know how to weld but i never owned one before
i think there is a welder plug in the downstairs garage, but honestly, all the places where i expect to be welding only have 110

at this moment there are 3 or 4 little projects around the house that need welding but nothing big, so im just looking for something affordable

while were on the topic, how do you guys feel about flux core welding?
does it make sense to go with fluxcore and not need tanks or does the wire cost more then the gas and tanks would?

im hoping to keep this under 500 dollars, and im not opposed to harbor freight

so, what can you guys suggest?
I have three welders. An old Lincoln arc welder, a cheap Campbell Hausfeld wire feed and now a Esab Rebel. With the gas and small wire the Esab does a great job. Check out the videos on the Esab. Yes it is pricey but don’t you deserve it?
 
......….BUT one of these popped up
eastwood 135
the guy is asking $195.00...….

Looks pretty decent for the price...…
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I would just buy a new welder
And get a cylinder of 25/75. I don't think you will be happy using flux core wire. Just my humble opinion.
I'm planning on getting a bottle aswell...at some point

I'm not really wanting to pay full price for something I'm not hardly ever going to use
Right now I have 3 projects lined up (four, if I can get a deal on subframe connecters) but I just don't see me using it enough to justify buying new
 
I'm planning on getting a bottle aswell...at some point

I'm not really wanting to pay full price for something I'm not hardly ever going to use
Right now I have 3 projects lined up (four, if I can get a deal on subframe connecters) but I just don't see me using it enough to justify buying new
Yeah if it's in good condition and has a regulator then I don't see why not. Standard price currently you're lookin at almost $400 after shipping for a brand new one
 
I'm planning on getting a bottle aswell...at some point

I'm not really wanting to pay full price for something I'm not hardly ever going to use
Right now I have 3 projects lined up (four, if I can get a deal on subframe connecters) but I just don't see me using it enough to justify buying new

With a welder, you can make you own subframe connectors from $30 worth of steel.
 
allright guys
i picked up the eastwood 135 for $170.000
i will probably buy a roll of fluxwire for now, and then get a tank of argon when the tax return comes in

thanks for all the advice guys

now...what should i look for in a welding mask?
 
Make sure you get the right gas. 75/25 mix works well.

For a welding helmet, I like Speedglas. They're not cheap though.
 
whichever helmet you get make sure it is auto darkening. I have several but tend to use the cheapest one I own. The bigger the view works best for me. Less than $50
 
Thanks
Is there a certain reaction time I need to look for in a auto darkening helmet?
 
Thanks
Is there a certain reaction time I need to look for in a auto darkening helmet?
I don't know if there is a measurement time wise. But mine is solar powered and I will set it out in the sun a hour before I am going to use it. I will test it before I start welding with a Bic lighter or a torch striker. To make sure it is charged and working.
 
I keep a cheap Harbor Freight led light near the work when working in low light. I can use it to test the helmet and also shine it on the work to help in seeing before starting the Arc. I am using a Harbor Freight helmet and have had no problems. Sign up for there coupons which usually gives you 20% off one item and most times there is a coupon for a free led light. I have them all over my boxes and the shop.
Digital Savings and Coupons from Harbor Freight
 
I have the HF auto helmet.

It's actually pretty nice.

It's from when they were $29 if that tells you about durability, although I don't weld much.

..and I ran over it with the lawn mower and it still works!
 
I keep a cheap Harbor Freight led light near the work when working in low light. I can use it to test the helmet and also shine it on the work to help in seeing before starting the Arc. I am using a Harbor Freight helmet and have had no problems. Sign up for there coupons which usually gives you 20% off one item and most times there is a coupon for a free led light. I have them all over my boxes and the shop.
Digital Savings and Coupons from Harbor Freight
Here’s is a good video about flux and gas shielded. I suggest you check out others. If you do body work welding definitely use gas and be patient. Many videos about this on line. Getting the work too hot on thin metals will cause warping and more work.
Solid Wire Versus Flux-Cored Wire: When to Use Them and Why | MillerWelds
 
Here’s is a good video about flux and gas shielded. I suggest you check out others. If you do body work welding definitely use gas and be patient. Many videos about this on line. Getting the work too hot on thin metals will cause warping and more work.
Solid Wire Versus Flux-Cored Wire: When to Use Them and Why | MillerWelds



something i noticed in this video i hadn't before, when using flux core wire, the guy doesnt have the nozzle tip on the gun
is it common to leave that off when flux core welding?
(i under stand its main purpose is to direct the shielding gas, but if that is its only purpose, i guess it really doesnt need to be on there for fluxcore)
 
something i noticed in this video i hadn't before, when using flux core wire, the guy doesnt have the nozzle tip on the gun
is it common to leave that off when flux core welding?
(i under stand its main purpose is to direct the shielding gas, but if that is its only purpose, i guess it really doesnt need to be on there for fluxcore)
Personally I would not weld without the cover unless trying to get into a tight spot. Everyone has different styles of welding that has developed very the years. My thoughts have always been “if it works and gets the desired result then do it.” That is until something better comes along.
 
I figured you guys might want to see this
These are the first welds I put down with the Eastwood and fluxcore (I know, gas is cleaner, but it wasn't in the budget right now)

So far, I'm pretty happy with it
I know how to weld, but I'm not great at it, and I felt the fluxcore was actually a bit easier to weld then solid wire

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