Yes its kind of off topic, but I figured someone here would have experience. Prior to my new life as an office dwelling suit wearing fellow, I was a rough and tumble carpenter. I was a lead rough carpenter on complex custom homes, and then I moved into finish work. Everything from Millwork to cabinetry. I still flex my carpentry and GC skills all over the house as the built-in engineer of my ship, however, metal-work has always escaped me. When I needed the most simple of things done, like welding plates to metal columns or lentils etc. I always called a welder. Now in retrospect, I am glad I had an expert for load bearing things, however, increasingly I think it would be nice to have the equipment and knowledge to weld stuff around the house. Stuff like D-ring tie downs on my ATV trailer, repair a split mower deck, etc. I thought of doing the community college course route. However, in the meantime, what type of machine is good for hobbyist and light steel projects? Thanks
My friend is the welding teacher, I'm self taught but not too bad. I have actually made a few farm implements that are a hit.
Careful what you wish for.... Welding is an art and knowledge about applications and when to do what, how, and processes can only be learned through experience. Be Safe! and Best of Luck.
A basic MIG welder would be great for what your looking to do with it... You can get Flux core wire so you don't even need a tank of argon. Miller is top notch, but Lincoln isn't bad either.
I am no expert by any means but I can weld pretty good. It has been a while though. What some guys can do though is amazing.
go buy harbor freight and pick up a flux core wire welder. you can get em for right around $100. you won't be able to do anything fancy with it, but it is more than enough to use to learn how to weld. then if you find you are good at it and enjoy it, step it up to a better welder.
I can weld about anything, aluminum, steel...have even had occasion to weld pot metal and stainless. I built brand new blade arms for one of our bulldozers in 2002 and built my row crop spray rig from scratch. I have a small electric Lincoln and a large Ranger 8 Lincoln on a trailer, both stick welders. I don't have a lot of experience with wire feeds as I always prefered sticks for the heavy duty projects and it's what we've always had. I imagine like has been said that a small Miller or Lincoln Mig or Tig would do you just fine. Both are generally better for light gauge work like mower decks, etc... Hobart makes okay stuff too. They make starter kits also with helmet and gear to begin with. Good luck and be careful, it's not a very forgiving practice, eyes, skin, lungs, etc...
Millermatic 230 volt wire feeder with 0.35 NR211 Flux core wire. You need 100% cotton clothes! Leathers, gloves, and a good hood. Protect your hair. ..play with that some. Learn..
Been known to do alittle welding, starting with a pile of steal and turning it into finished product is really,..well,..a cool feeling,..
Probably not,..lol but I would agree with the others that for a general use (around the home) welder, go to any home depot/lowes and pick up a good lincoln/miller or even a habor frieght model fo a few hundred dollars and go to town, they will weld most anything up to 3/16 inch thinck with no problem and most work on 110 volts. And as mentioned, flux core wire requires no gas, but for another $100 you can get the gas hook-ups with regulator to start using a shielding gas(less mess). If you want to really step it up a notch, a Miller-Matic 211 Mig welder will weld anything steal. I love mine, I also have a Miller Syncrowave 250 acdc Tig welder. both costly but worth the money, but in no way needed for home/garage use.
I built a boat for duck hunting.... I am a hobby welder. You can do it. Learn MIG first then TIG will come quickly.
This is the case for me too. I use to weld regularly when I worked for GM (almost 10 years ago) but have only touched a welder a handful of times since.
