DC Arc Welder

[kaelc]

Looking at some of the deals on Welders. What would be the recommendations for a learn-to-weld machine? I would love to do some aluminum and stainless welding, and eventually maybe build a boat with my kids but that would likely be my second welder if it ever happens.

https://www.amazon.ca/s?k=DC+arc+welder&crid=3FIS1X2QQ723F&sprefix=dc+arc+welder%2Caps%2C147&ref=nb_sb_noss_1

 

[Fixit]

Id be looking for a used miller, Lincoln, air liquide etc MIG welder. to weld aluminum you'll need something with a spool gun and 240v ideally. 120v won't have the amps you'll need for aluminum (heat). with mig you can do flux core with no gas, or solid wire with gas for quality welds on carbon steel, or even stainless wire with gas.
for home boat building id personally look for a Miller 212 or a 252. the 252 has a better duty cycle.

 

[Fixit]

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this will do 1/4" aluminum with a minimal duty cycle you'd need a spool gun but that seems like a good deal

 

[kaelc]

Awesome, looks like it went pending hopefully, a member got it. Are the 120/240 machines capable, or is it best to just pull the trigger on a 120 and then upgrade once I decide it's something for me and I want to wire 240 in the garage?

 

[Fixit]

not surprised its pending, that was a great deal.

120/240v machines are great, they give you options but they are limited as to the duty cycle and thickness you can weld. a 20A 120v circuit is usually needed. a 15A circuit will constantly trip. So best to put in a 240v. but 120v will do to start

 

[Doug]

240v with a high duty cycle machine possible or the welder will cut out during the weld.

It takes a lot of practice to become a good welder and you will go through a lot of practice metals to learn. I recommend that you go take a class where you learn to computer weld and it is just like welding but on a computer video screen. You have a helmet, gloves, a gun or rods just like you are welding and even have to flip the helmet down with the screen in it that video interfaced with the gun or rod action.

I was a pipe line stick welder for 7 years, welding 21 inch, schedule 80 pipe and it took a lot of breathing in smoke and burns to learn how. You make big $$$ but don't live long,, so I got out of it after I made my $$$. But now with the video weld machines, no smoke, no burns and no going through pounds and pounds of steel learning.

 

[Alex_c]

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this will do 1/4" aluminum with a minimal duty cycle you'd need a spool gun but that seems like a good deal

Great unit, have had mine for almost 15 years with no issues.

 

[Alex_c]

If you want to do Al and SS, get an AC tig welder. I recommend the Primeweld units for cost/features/performance/warranty. I have the 200 amp unit and it works great. You will spend hundreds of dollars on consumables and materials learning to weld. It’s not cheap

 

[M1SF1T]

I wanted to be able to mig and tig weld steel and aluminum and stainless and didn't want multiple machines. Looked at the ESAB Rebel and the Miller 220. Bought the Miller because it does AC tig too.

Then it's just practice. You can learn a lot on YouTube. Welding tricks and tips is a good channel.

 

[seachicken]

Everlast units are great bang for buck, heard good things about the primeweld units as well. Not much negative about either except for "made in China" but all the parts to assemble a blue or red welder are made in China but assembled in America. Tig is much more versatile, aluminum is certainly challenging, I've never tried a spool gun though. I got the everlast 210EXT but wish but wish I'd gotten a 250amp unit. Or 300... If you're on a hobby level certainly look at these lower cost units, half the price. And then look up 6061.com or Pacific Arc Tig Welding for online courses..

Edit: get AC for aluminum. Also an "arc welder" is generally for stick or a power source for Tig. A MiG welder can run a spool gun for aluminum if it's got the options.

 

[InterMechanico]

Clarity of Processes:

DC Only Power Source-
- Stick, Tig, Spool gun Mig (wire feed) can do:
- DC Stick for ferrous and Stainless metals producing very high quality welds, aluminum stick is technically possible but in practice is atrocious lol

- DC Tig for ferrous metals, also Tig Brazing with Silicon-Bronze filler for kitschy stuff

- DC Mig (spool gun) for ferrous metals and aluminum, silicon-bronze wire for cast iron

DC Only Mig power source-
- Mig only for ferrous metals as above, need push/pull gun for aluminum unless using specialized machine such as Fronius or similar which can push only aluminum Mig

AC/DC Tig with AC Square wave
- Tig for ferrous metals, aluminum
- Stick for all of the above

Multi-process AC/DC square wave power source-
- All of the above Except AC Tig (may be some exceptions such as Fronius or similar

https://everlastwelders.ca/product/powermts-275-lightning/

Notes:

If intending to stick weld steel and stainless, a 170 amp inverter machine of decent quality will do the job fine running 3/32” and 1/8” rod. I use the Fronius Transpocket 150 for quick field work.

Aluminum welding requires approximately 1.5 times more current than equivalent thickness steel due to rapid heat dispersion. A 150 amp DC Tig will comfortably Tig weld 1/4” steel plate, but a 150 amp AC Square wave will be quite limited welding aluminum

Tig welding steel is generally more difficult than Aluminum (depending on gauge), ferrous metals do not shed heat and so current must be ramped down as metal temperature increases.

Ask me anything I have so many welders
If you’re in Coquitlam I can show you what does what.

weldingtipsandtricks

Clear Arc Shots & Plain Talk to help you Pass a Test, Fix Stuff, Build Stuff, Get a Raise, Build a Better Life. Disclaimer: These videos are intended for entertainment and inspiration. Welding is dangerous. Always seek professional advice and training before using welding equipment. If you...

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If it were me and I wanted maximum flexibility with as few components as possible, I would choose the following:

- 250 amp AC/DC square wave power source with stick electrode holder, and decent quality Tig torch with Tweco consumables. THIS IS THE MAXIMUM CURRENT YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PRODUCE USING A 50amp SINGLE PHASE 240v Circuit.

- Decent spool gun for aluminum wire feed 1 lb spools which allows for ferrous metal and aluminum welding

- Shielding Gas - Argon for Tig and Mig aluminum, Tig Steel and Stainless, as well as 75/25 Ar/CO2 mixed gas for Mig Steel. Rental gas bottles to start. It’s like 8$/month for K-size bottle plus cost of gas

- (1ea) 10 lb sleeves of 3/32” and 1/8” 7018 welding rod, I use ESAB OK 55 which is high quality rod. Welding rod is NOT all the same quality, so buy a sleeve of high quality rod to learn with. No sense struggling more than necessary.

- Electronic welding helmet with large viewing screen and readily available replacement lenses.

- Good quality clear safety glasses with UV A/B protection which will protect your eyes from projectile debris, but ALSO reduce or eliminate the risk of welding flash.

- Welding gloves (comfortable, not too thick)
- Chipping hammer
- 4 1/2” Grinder (for hiding your early work )