Best welding systems according to redditors
We found 36 Reddit comments discussing the best welding systems. We ranked the 21 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
We found 36 Reddit comments discussing the best welding systems. We ranked the 21 resulting products by number of redditors who mentioned them. Here are the top 20.
I use this on plastics, it’s thickish liquid with a great applicator and then you use the uv light on the other side and it cures in 10 seconds.
https://www.amazon.com/Bondic-Activated-Waterproof-Resistant-Adhesive/dp/B018IBEHQU/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=bondic&qid=1564969293&s=gateway&sr=8-3
That's basically welding in a nutshell. Playing with high voltages. Here's a less homemade version https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008FCJA56/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_ojSWDb5R39JM9
I have used BONDIC uv epoxy/composite to enlarge tabs. it is clear and can be removed without damage to the plastic usually.
https://smile.amazon.com/Bondic-Activated-Waterproof-Resistant-Adhesive/dp/B018IBEHQU/ref=sr_1_5?keywords=bondic&qid=1570207099&sr=8-5
I'd buy the AHP for the same price and get more adjustments (including pulse) AND a stick lead:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EL8UQH4/
Or find a used Miller/Lincoln (might cost more but would be a better machine).
Okay. Mansplanation time. TLDR-It's probably worth the time. Sounds like you really want to be there. So you should be there. For maximum awesome points get a diving certificate. Anyway.
Go buy a welder. By the way, you would become a weldor. The welder is the tool. You would be the weldor. Anyway, a MIG (metal inert gas) welder would be the the thing to start with. They're pretty cheap to start with, and also the easiest. If you haven't already, go buy a Haynes Welding Manual. Do that first. Read the thing.
Blue collar jobs are a lot like programming. There's a heavy emphasis on the self taught. If you went to school, they look at you funny. Like somebody had to make you learn. How good can you be? I didn't say they were right. That's just how they tend to think.
You can go to school, and probably should, but you can also score a MIG of your own and just start practicing. And that's what they want to see. They want to see the proof that you just HAD to. $200 WILL buy you a brand new MIG welder. You can't do much with that, except learn to weld sheet metal like a boss, which will get you a job. Sheet is thin and it burns through easy.
See, if you just go get a 200 dollar MIG welder and some scrap, a book, and a place to practice, and get at it, you'll either confirm your talent, and then be ready for school, or find out that you suck at it, and actually hate it. Then you can put the MIG welder on Craigslist.
Fuckers talk shit, but don't let them fool you. It's a sausage party up in there. Not too many ladies. They'll want you around. It's just weird when you look around the shop and it's just dude city. Makes you feel fucked up. Like the thing you care about professionally is some anathema to women for a reason you don't understand.
It's just that dudes always talk shit. I'll skip the thesis on why.
If you go into it, you'll be a pioneer (in 2014, ain't that some bullshit) but it sounds like you really wanna be there anyway, so you should go. Really that's the bottom line. You're all about it, you have to go for it. If the whole thing is just a pile of suck, then you can drop it with no regrets.
So go get a cheap MIG. Weld stuff with it. Make some art pieces out of scrap for practice. That's how the average welder do. Just go do the work, since the basic tools are cheap enough. Go to any scrap yard and see if you can get a pile of miscellaneous steel for practice bits. Read your book. Get one of those successful chicks to watch over your first weld so you don't blow yourself up or something. Shit ain't toys, I'll tell you that. But the gas in a MIG is inert. No explodo. It's there to shield the weld from oxygen, but I digress.
But if you really wanna mess with it, do the thing on its own terms.
Take it from a born English major who went to tech school instead. You really, really wanna do it go buy the tools and try your hand at the work. It's not like they ask for qualifications. You can just go buy a welder and fuck around. IF AND WHEN you start to feel good enough about your skills to try for going pro, THEN go to school. By the time you get to that point, you'll have thought it through properly.
These blue collar types only respect skill though. So if you roll up to whatever shop looking for a job, and you've got no schooling at all, BUUUUT you do have two pieces of steel that you welded yourself with perfect "fish scale" welds AND you can do it again in front of them for proof, well, you're in. These guys will actually look side-eye at you if you've been to school. It's a conservative, school-is-fer-fags kinda mob, but you'll find lots of decent people within it. The whole point I want to make is that if you really wanna do it, then all you gotta do is do it.
TLDR- Go buy a Mig and a book
Me, I just really want one of those jobs where you sit on an office chair and type shit and then cry about it in the air conditioning like your life is hell. Getting real tired of burns and bleeding. You go do the work then, and I'll take your job. I just wanna wear slacks and a dress shirt because I don't have to worry about dirt or wear on my clothes.
You can get a stick welder for super cheap these days. Then you get to save money on other tools by making terrifying home brew versions of them.
AHP AlphaTIG 200X
Furick's FUPA 12 Gas Lens Kit
SSC Controls Pedal
I am just a hobbyist fabricator for my car. I just picked up the TIG welder a few weeks ago and have been using this subreddit and r/welding for all my feedback.
I need this to weld boobies as yard art. Or pornography. You'll know which it is when you see it, right?
The receptacle (outlet) you appear to have is a NEMA 10-50 NEMA 10. This plug is hot/hot/neutral there is no ground. I would make an adapter that goes from a NEMA 10-50 plug, to a NEMA 6-50 receptacle. This would allow you to plug in the chicago electric welder. You will need to buy a NEMA 6-50 plug for the clarkeweld welder to replace the NEMA 14-50 plug it is currently using.
Going this route will likely cost ~$50, plugs are expensive, though I think northern tools has better prices than the big box stores.
As suggested, absolutely check the breaker for the outlet, it should hopefully be 30-40 amps. I strongly doubt this outlet is fused by the 140 breaker, especially if that breaker is at the top of the service panel. If it is a 30amp breaker, then you likely have 10g wire; if it is a larger breaker, then you've likely got either 8g or 6g wire and are in great shape.
The chicago electric welder says at max it will draw 47amps. I doubt this number, consider it is a 225amp unit at 30V which is 6750watts; 6750W divided by 240V = ~28amps - much more reasonable.
The clarkeweld welder at max will draw 25amps - believable.
It is likely you'll be able to run both of these welders off that outlet after creating the adapter I recommended above. Also, this asserts that the outlet is not served by a subpanel, with a weird unbonded (not tied to ground) neutral wire.
Keep in mind, I'm not an electrician, this is just advice and is worth what you paid for it. If you burn down your house, it is on you. If you don't feel comfortable making an adapter and running these welders call a licensed electrician.
https://www.amazon.com/HYL-MIG130-Combo-MIG-Welder/dp/B072WGG86M
this thing ahs saved my ass countless times. low price tag too.i dont know if you are looking for 110v or 220v or 110v/220v MP so ill just leave this here.
You could get a Longevity AC/DC for 900, an Everlast for around 1200 or a ThermalArc for about 1700
AC TIG machine are more expensive than straight DC ones.
i managed to find this; i'm thinking this could work and be a way to avoid both those conditions where i can't later remove the hinge or can't reinsert the hinge. think it's worth a shot?
https://www.amazon.com/Bondic-Activated-Waterproof-Resistant-Adhesive/dp/B018IBEHQU/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=uv+light+glue&qid=1554418033&s=gateway&sr=8-4
You can buy cheap Chinese stick only inverter welders for $100 on up. I'd do that before I tried to change an existing welder not designed for it over. Getting the school machine and selling it is a good idea. This miller is between 300 and 800 lbs depending on how it's equipped. I'm not sure how you'd even transport it. You'd have to carry and engine hoist around with you.
https://www.amazon.com/DEKOPRO-Machine-Digital-Display-Electrode/dp/B07NWFB2S9/
One of meany. Even if it only lasts a year or two it's better than spending a bunch for
good call waiting for a response. if you end up trying yourself, you can use something like bondic to join the two parts. https://www.amazon.com/Laser-Bonding-Tech-Bondic-SK8024-Cartridges/dp/B018IBEHQU/ref=pd_ybh_a_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=4KHFE6H58K33CEGY5FPS
Have you tried something like bondic? https://www.amazon.com/Bondic-Activated-Waterproof-Resistant-Adhesive/dp/B018IBEHQU/ref=mp_s_a_1_4?keywords=uv+light+glue&qid=1554418033&s=gateway&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/AHP-Alpha-160ST-Stick-Welder-Voltage/dp/B01HDUMAUC
Been looking at this myself recently.
We have and like gems, but don't have the saws or selves, but I know that it can take the craft to the next level.
Something like this, seems to me expensive/awesome/probably worth it? But I'm addicted to tools as is...
($300 CAD)
Genmine Mini Table Saw Gem Jewelry Rock Polishing Buffer Bench Lathe & Polisher Machine 0-26000r/min Benchtop Polisher Machine Set 350W 110V https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07HH5W71Z/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_nCa6CbPQ31Q9Z
Or something like this:
Hand held cut saw ($55cad)
WORX WX081L ZipSnip Cutting Tool https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B019CSHSW8/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_uDa6CbR6DFHJK
You could make a little rock holder wedge based cradle to clamp the stone then pass the tool over them, you get extra rocks (2 for 1)
Or similarly make a sled for the table saw/polisher
Maybe try some videos and give it a think!
GLHF
Another option would be to use an old DC arc welder as a power supply. You'd use the appropriate tap to get close to 48V after filtering. A cheaper AC unit like this would need an extra-big-ass bridge rectifier to make it DC, and God's own filtering capacitor to reduce the (very high current) DC ripple.
The server supplies in series is probably a cheaper and better solution, but it's possible that they go into shutdown on very large transient currents. The only way an arc welder will shut down is after it has turned one or more of its wires into lightbulbs...
I don't know which plastic that is. But, if you really want to repair and do a good job of it, then you're looking for a plastic welder and you'll spend some time learning how to identify plastics (types) and practice welding them. If it's ABS, it couldn't be any easier.
Late Edit: A link to a cheap plastic welder to give you an idea of what's out there.
https://www.amazon.ca/Urethane-Supply-Company-5700HT-Airless/dp/B00IEX6NME/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1499880413&sr=8-2&keywords=plastic+welder
Where are you located?
If this http://www.amazon.com/AHP-AlphaTIG-200-Amp-Stick-Welder/dp/B00EL8UQH4 doesn't ship, and you are close to me, I may ask your friend to pick up two...
I used this one from Amazon for $18
Worked great, I've even used it to melt and repair a broken ABS part (non-kayak). Some reviews talk about the tips bending, but if you are applying that much pressure - you aren't doing it right. Move the tool slowly allowing it to heat and melt, pressure really isn't needed - it doesn't make the process any faster.
You can buy plastic welding kits. Some use hot air, others are like a soldering iron. Kinda like this one on amazon. Just replace the plastic fill rod that comes in the kit with some of your own filament.
Actually, looking at that kit you could probably just use a regular soldering iron if you already have one.
edit: Just saw your reply to another poster, fancier ones (plastic welders and soldering irons) have temperature controls but they do also cost more.
https://www.amazon.com/Plastic-Welding-Kit-Adjustable-Temperature/dp/B0061CAWB8 would a plastic welding gun work? At work we use Leister heat welders, basically a bigger version of what i linked that gets used to hear that weld roofing materials
was the iron like this?
https://www.amazon.com/Hobie-Welder-Pro-Stock-72097001/dp/B004CGCY34
What about one of these stick or MIG machines? I heard Hobart was a good brand and it seems they have a good presence online.
http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500502-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B0002PS7SU/ref=sr_1_2?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1374536041&sr=1-2&keywords=arc+welder
http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500420-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B00004WHGG/ref=sr_1_10?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1374536041&sr=1-10&keywords=arc+welder
http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500549-Auto-Wire-Welder/dp/B002VECKTC/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1374536041&sr=1-1&keywords=arc+welder#productDetails
I'd probably prefer to go the flux core or stick route to avoid the cost of the gas and tank.
if she has just a few things she wants to weld, she can use my arc stick welder at no charge. i weld outside on a cement patio in the rear of my home. near Temple U. had an electrician put in a special plug inside my shop and on an outside wall. i have sticks for cast iron, steel and aluminum. https://www.amazon.com/Hobart-500502-Stickmate-Welding-Source/dp/B0002PS7SU/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1468784504&sr=8-1-fkmr0&keywords=Hobart+Stickmate+AC+Welder+%E2%80%94+230+Volt%2C+205+Amp%2C+Model%23+500502
found this one for 270 on letgo hows this one
Use this to fix it https://www.amazon.com/Bondic-Activated-Waterproof-Resistant-Adhesive/dp/B018IBEHQU/.
They can be as complex or simple as a welder needs. It's just to apply some downward force to free up a hand. Makes it easier to weld if you got one hand on the torch and the other on some filler rod
https://www.amazon.com/Dog-River-Tools-Welding-Third/dp/B07B9MJ4K1