Arc Welder Suggestions - Page 2

Reveeen · 11-21-2009, 03:42 PM

Sometimes, within an industry, things change, and so does the equipment. The obsolete equipment goes for peanuts, or for just carting away, I got a "Porta-Spot" and a "Ultra-Mig" that way. (The porta-spot being old technology and the ultra-mig was broken)

http://www.amh.ca/anglais/accueil.html

yozalo · 11-21-2009, 04:22 PM

Looks like bulky and heavy technology. 8O

yozalo · 11-21-2009, 04:59 PM

Does anyone know where to get oxy acetylene tanks? I've been looking and I can't seem to find anywhere that sells them!

Reveeen · 11-21-2009, 06:11 PM

You got "easy", "expensive", and "cheap", it also depends where you live.

Usually only the small tanks are for sale, the large ones are rental only. The filling charge is usually the same, large, or small. Purchasing a pair of small tanks (that have to be re-inspected periodically) will run you around $250.

I needed a small set cheap.......this is what I did (providing you have an oxygen filling station locally):

I went with propane (a 20lb BBQ tank) and I recycled a scuba tank. Scuba tanks have to be inspected yearly, ANY sign of rust on the inside and the tank is junk, I took a junk (free) scuba tank, got it inspected ($20) and re-valved (another $20), and now it is a small oxygen tank. Scuba tanks do not have a flat bottom, so I smashed the bottom off of a Coke canister and glued it to the scuba tank. No scuba tanks locally, don't kid yourself, fire departments have breathing packs that use the same kind of tank.

yozalo · 11-21-2009, 06:48 PM

8O, I've been thinking. I t don't think it's ideal for me to have a oxy acetylene tank. I am going to stick with the arc welder. Here are my 2 choices:

70 amp unbranded, sold at princess auto

or

90 amp Clarke sold on ebay

Alaskan-Dad · 11-21-2009, 06:52 PM

These sets are great for quick easy small welding jobs!

LINK Details & Price

Hope that helped

yozalo · 11-21-2009, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alaskan-Dad

These sets are great for quick easy small welding jobs!

LINK Details & Price

Hope that helped

I saw those and they are over $300.

Weldangrind · 11-21-2009, 07:23 PM

Beware of acetylene affecting your house insurance. My insurance carrier is ok with my MIG, but not with acetylene. Interestingly, it's ok to have oxygen and MAP gas at home (because MAP can be used for home plumbing repair). You can buy a small disposable oxy / MAP setup for less than $100 from Canadian Tire (product #58-7579-6). Once the MAP and oxygen bottles are empty, you recycle them and buy replacement bottles. Buy a fire extinguisher while you're at it.

KMS Tools has the same setup on sale for around $59.00 this weekend. Check out http://www.kmstools.com/bernzomatic-...elding-kit-102

Since you have oxy / acetylene experience, you'll quickly adapt to oxy / map. It's not quite as hot, but it's close. Check with your insurance provider to be sure that your house coverage won't be compromised.

yozalo · 11-21-2009, 07:50 PM

I checked reviews online at canadian tire but it seems people do not recommended it:

http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...orch%2BKit.jsp

TurboT · 11-21-2009, 08:19 PM

Find a buddy who's a good welder and has the setup,(or even a bad welder but with the gear) and buy him beer to have him do it or borrow his gear.

Might be a cheaper and less stressful decision. 8O

..but see I'm weird, I hate welding. Been sparked, burnt and flashed by the old submerged arc crank welder one too many times, and I'm just not interested anymore...

yozalo · 11-21-2009, 08:32 PM

Turbo t, it's called welding gloves and welding goggles.

TurboT · 11-21-2009, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yozalo

Turbo t, it's called welding gloves and welding goggles.

Ahh, well, you'll learn grasshopper.

Shit flies around, and you're concentrating on not blowing a new oil hole in the crankshaft when a piece of flux flies off and lands on your lap... it's a bit of a surprise, not sure if you smell or feel your nuts burning first.

..but don't let me scare you. What I was doing was a different process that not many people do anyhow..

Reveeen · 11-21-2009, 08:44 PM

The bottom line here is:

If you want to play it is going to cost you money.

You can go out and buy all the "home", or "hobbyist", tools that you like, but you are going to find that they aren't worth a s**t.

Sorry.

katoranger · 11-22-2009, 08:10 AM

Have you check you local craigslist for welders? You could probably find someone needing cash and get a good deal on one. I got mine used on ebay. It looked to have been used once.

Weldandgrind is right in that the hobart is the cheaper end of miller.

Allen

yozalo · 11-22-2009, 12:14 PM

I looked on kijiji and craigslist and most people were selling the 220v. The problem is that I do not have any 220v outlets in my garage or basement.

11-21-2009, 06:52 PM	#21
Alaskan-Dad Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Thorne Bay SE Alaska Posts: 131	These sets are great for quick easy small welding jobs! LINK Details & Price Hope that helped __________________ Three Greys Lifan GY-5's
	0

11-21-2009, 07:23 PM	#23
Weldangrind Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sardis, BC, Canada Posts: 25,977	Beware of acetylene affecting your house insurance. My insurance carrier is ok with my MIG, but not with acetylene. Interestingly, it's ok to have oxygen and MAP gas at home (because MAP can be used for home plumbing repair). You can buy a small disposable oxy / MAP setup for less than $100 from Canadian Tire (product #58-7579-6). Once the MAP and oxygen bottles are empty, you recycle them and buy replacement bottles. Buy a fire extinguisher while you're at it. KMS Tools has the same setup on sale for around $59.00 this weekend. Check out http://www.kmstools.com/bernzomatic-...elding-kit-102 Since you have oxy / acetylene experience, you'll quickly adapt to oxy / map. It's not quite as hot, but it's close. Check with your insurance provider to be sure that your house coverage won't be compromised. __________________ Weldangrind "I figure I'm well-prepared for coping with a bike that comes from the factory with unresolved issues and that rewards the self-reliant owner." - Buccaneer
	0

11-22-2009, 08:10 AM	#29
katoranger Join Date: May 2007 Location: Altamont, Kansas Posts: 15,103	Have you check you local craigslist for welders? You could probably find someone needing cash and get a good deal on one. I got mine used on ebay. It looked to have been used once. Weldandgrind is right in that the hobart is the cheaper end of miller. Allen __________________ You meet the nicest people on a Honda Clone.
	0

11-21-2009, 03:42 PM	#16
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	Sometimes, within an industry, things change, and so does the equipment. The obsolete equipment goes for peanuts, or for just carting away, I got a "Porta-Spot" and a "Ultra-Mig" that way. (The porta-spot being old technology and the ultra-mig was broken) http://www.amh.ca/anglais/accueil.html
	0

11-21-2009, 04:22 PM	#17
yozalo Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 330	Looks like bulky and heavy technology. 8O
	0

11-21-2009, 04:59 PM	#18
yozalo Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 330	Does anyone know where to get oxy acetylene tanks? I've been looking and I can't seem to find anywhere that sells them!
	0

11-21-2009, 06:11 PM	#19
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	You got "easy", "expensive", and "cheap", it also depends where you live. Usually only the small tanks are for sale, the large ones are rental only. The filling charge is usually the same, large, or small. Purchasing a pair of small tanks (that have to be re-inspected periodically) will run you around $250. I needed a small set cheap.......this is what I did (providing you have an oxygen filling station locally): I went with propane (a 20lb BBQ tank) and I recycled a scuba tank. Scuba tanks have to be inspected yearly, ANY sign of rust on the inside and the tank is junk, I took a junk (free) scuba tank, got it inspected ($20) and re-valved (another $20), and now it is a small oxygen tank. Scuba tanks do not have a flat bottom, so I smashed the bottom off of a Coke canister and glued it to the scuba tank. No scuba tanks locally, don't kid yourself, fire departments have breathing packs that use the same kind of tank.
	0

11-21-2009, 06:48 PM	#20
yozalo Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 330	8O, I've been thinking. I t don't think it's ideal for me to have a oxy acetylene tank. I am going to stick with the arc welder. Here are my 2 choices: 70 amp unbranded, sold at princess auto or 90 amp Clarke sold on ebay
	0

11-21-2009, 07:50 PM	#24
yozalo Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 330	I checked reviews online at canadian tire but it seems people do not recommended it: http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...orch%2BKit.jsp
	0

11-21-2009, 08:19 PM	#25
TurboT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Surrey, B.C., Canada Posts: 2,185	Find a buddy who's a good welder and has the setup,(or even a bad welder but with the gear) and buy him beer to have him do it or borrow his gear. Might be a cheaper and less stressful decision. 8O ..but see I'm weird, I hate welding. Been sparked, burnt and flashed by the old submerged arc crank welder one too many times, and I'm just not interested anymore...
	0

11-21-2009, 08:32 PM	#26
yozalo Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 330	Turbo t, it's called welding gloves and welding goggles.
	0

11-21-2009, 08:44 PM	#28
Reveeen Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: orbital platform Posts: 741	The bottom line here is: If you want to play it is going to cost you money. You can go out and buy all the "home", or "hobbyist", tools that you like, but you are going to find that they aren't worth a s**t. Sorry.
	0

11-22-2009, 12:14 PM	#30
yozalo Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 330	I looked on kijiji and craigslist and most people were selling the 220v. The problem is that I do not have any 220v outlets in my garage or basement.
	0