looking to buy my first welder

diymirage:
Don't know if you ever bought a welder or not but here's a story that might be worthwhile to you or someone else. The story covers about two years plus

Working with bodywork on a car for a friend I started out with a Sears wire feed with flux core and did adequate. I could weld up 1/8plus metal fairly well but with sheetmetal, 14-16 gauge, I would burn holes or "weld/grind, weld/grind, weld/grind." Obviously not pretty and ended up with wavy metal. I used this for a while but when I'd go to car shows/swap meets, I'd stop at the welding booths. I'd tell them my issues and the best I could claim was that I was inept but muddled through with a degree of success. The responses were always the same, use gas, get a better welder, and at that time, get an auto darkening helmet.

Well, because funds were tight, I opted for a gas kit and gas first. I couldn't get the Sears unit to hook up to gas so I bit the bullet and bought a Campbell Hausefield wire feed that hooked up to gas. Better, about two steps improvement but still inept. Also bought an auto darkening helmet in there somewhere and there is no discussion on that, just get one. Used the Campbell for about 7 months before it started leaking in the handle but I had kept the receipt and it had a one year warrantee. During that time, I still went to car shows/swap meets and again, I'd stop at the welding booths. I told them my issues and the changes I had made but the best I could still claim was that I was inept but a little better.

The responses were again the same, get a better welder. So when I went to Lowes to exchange the welder, I asked them if I could pay an upcharge and get a Lincoln. I already had the gas, lines, and regulators so I bought the little 100amp unit they sold at that time. WOW, the welding guys I had talked to for two years couldn't have been more right. I cannot say why one welder is better than another, they both have current and speed adjustments, but there is a huge difference between the two units I had been using. I went up at least 5steps in improvement. Same guy, same skills or lack thereof, same wire, same gas...

As time went on I gave that one away and bought a 130amp which ended up stolen with all it's equipment after a couple of years. Years went by and because of what I had learned, I would only buy a Lincoln or other quality unit. So I watched and finally found a deal on craigslist for a 145amp with tanks, cart, and unit for $350 after negotiating, (started at $400). It's all about watching for a deal and jumping on it.

After all this time I can say I am much less inept; I still don't feel "ept" yet but I'm much better for a novice. I have told my story to several people over the years to just suck it up and start out with a used quality welder instead of a new cheap welder. Go turn in steel and cans for six months if you have to. This is my experience for what it's worth. Also, if buying used, make sure you see the welder in operation before you hand over any cash.

BTW, as far as a decent weld goes, DO NOT underestimate cleaning the metal. Yes, the rust and grime burn off in the slag, NOT!!! You get that one for free. dan...