Inexpensive welder for exhaust work?
09-23-2003, 01:33 PM
#22
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Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? Damn, I wish that 3200HD was out also when I got mine. 
Tony, have fun putting the deluxe welding cart together.
I've got one too. 
I bought a $90.00 auto dimmer helmet that is adjustable from shades 9-13. I set it so I can JUST see the puddle of metal which allows me to see just enough of the work pieces to know where to stop.
My eyes feel fine after welding with it. Anyone who buys one of these kits DO NOT USE the supplied face shield, your eyes will feel like this afterwards. ---> 
Now, I want to go weld something.
PS - Get yourself a nice leather welding jacket. It'll keep you from lighting your clothes on fire.
Tony, have fun putting the deluxe welding cart together.
I've got one too. I bought a $90.00 auto dimmer helmet that is adjustable from shades 9-13. I set it so I can JUST see the puddle of metal which allows me to see just enough of the work pieces to know where to stop.
My eyes feel fine after welding with it. Anyone who buys one of these kits DO NOT USE the supplied face shield, your eyes will feel like this afterwards. ---> Now, I want to go weld something.
PS - Get yourself a nice leather welding jacket. It'll keep you from lighting your clothes on fire.
09-23-2003, 01:50 PM
#23
Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? I still have my old welder jacket and gloves from when I was a welder in the chemical plants. Boy, I was the stick-rod artiste' at making iron structures lol.
Here is the welding mask I bought:
http://www.korkys.com/Merchant2/merc...tegory_Code=G2
Here is the welding mask I bought:
http://www.korkys.com/Merchant2/merc...tegory_Code=G2
09-23-2003, 01:58 PM
#24
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Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? VERY similiar helmet except mine is just black. Probably the same one just marketed under a different name. Works real good and doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
09-23-2003, 04:21 PM
#25
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Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? My girl bought me an auto-darkening auto-shade helmet, man that thing ROCKS. I can always see the weld pool, no matter if I'm welding in broad daylight or upside down under the dark nether regions of a Frod Mudstain.
09-27-2003, 09:25 AM
#27
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Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? I just bought a 3200HD from Home Depot a few weeks ago myself... I love it, but I still need to hone my welding skills a bit...
For now I'm using the little cart it came with, along with a tiny 75/25 bottle, but I'm going to buy/build a bigger cart and trade my bottle in for a bigger one.
For now I'm using the little cart it came with, along with a tiny 75/25 bottle, but I'm going to buy/build a bigger cart and trade my bottle in for a bigger one.
09-29-2003, 12:59 PM
#30
Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? It costs me 70$ a semester to have up ot 25 hours a semester of open access to the Portland Community College Welding Lab. They have every $40,000 welder known to man. Push/Pull aluminum with Pulse/Pulse MIGs make welding aluminum like drawing with a crayon (and Im good with crayons, btw). TIG machines and all the stainless/mild/AL rods you can pool.
At that rate, it will take me 4 years to spend what you spent on a welder.
Good thing for you though is that its in your garage and you can use it under your car. They dont have a lift at the Welding Lab... But they do have a very large garage (some guys build trailers, etc).
I was like you too, Tony... TIG first for me too. But then I thought I would be building bicylces and motorcycle frames.
At that rate, it will take me 4 years to spend what you spent on a welder.
Good thing for you though is that its in your garage and you can use it under your car. They dont have a lift at the Welding Lab... But they do have a very large garage (some guys build trailers, etc).
I was like you too, Tony... TIG first for me too. But then I thought I would be building bicylces and motorcycle frames
.
09-29-2003, 11:34 PM
#31
Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? assembled the cart and put the welder together today. Finally tested it out on a friend's Z28 exhaust. Works great! I brought home alot of scrap pieces of pipe and flat bar to practice with, its been a long time.
I think this thing will be very handy, plus I can make some cash on the side by installing catbacks and subframes if I want lol
Tony
I think this thing will be very handy, plus I can make some cash on the side by installing catbacks and subframes if I want lol
Tony
10-13-2003, 03:28 PM
#33
Re: Inexpensive welder for exhaust work? flux cored works well, but isn't as nice looking (if looks matter to you). It spatters more, and makes a bigger mess everywhere.
flux cored is better at welding thicker material with the same welder though.
Tony
flux cored is better at welding thicker material with the same welder though.
Tony
