My new toy... first welder.

[boostforfun]

I am a rookie when it comes to welding, but I could not pass up this deal.

A local fabrication shop that a friend owned was going out of business, and I sweet talked him into selling me this welder for $650. Its a miller 251.

I know its overkill for what I need, or for what I even know how to use, but I know its worth a lot more than I paid.

Any comments?

 

[nuclearr]

Good buy!! I hope you have a 220 in the garage for it.

 

[boostforfun]

Nope

but I will soon....

 

[1glaserturbo]

Welcome to the awesome world of welding, once that gas pops, ya can't stop

 

[boostforfun]

I got this to practice on until I get the 220 wired up... got it for $50 from the same guy... flux core only. but still a good price for a lincoln.

 

[turboglenn]

very nice.. get you some 70s-2 wire, some 309 for stainless to mild and plain stainless. throw in some c25 and you'll be off to a good start (later you may get some argon and a spoolgun for that 251 and start MIG;ing aluminum ...then you'll be kickin ass!!! ). You technically won't get pure stainless welds with the 309 when using only c25 (instead of the suggested "tri-mix" gas), but you will get the weld to hold at least as good as any mild steel weld would but not suffer the shrinkage and cracking that you would by using poure mild wire (the 70s2 stuff) on stainless exhausts (or any stainless for that matter). the 70s-2 is good for 95% of other mild steel and work you will come across.

As money permits the miller unit can be upgraded to do aluminum as mentioned earlier and although it's pricey (about a grand to get started with a spoolgun, gas, wire and the other little things you'll need) But, you will reap the benefits of having that ability which not very many people have acess to so if it's something you are going to take seriously or even make some money on the side with, the spool-mate setup would be well worth it's cost in added jobs you can do. Not to mention making you more valuable as a weldor, unless you're running a 15 thousand dollar ESAB push-pull machine with pulsed MIG ability welding aluminum is quite the learning experience and where you realy learn how important a clean surface and a whole lot of patience is. Then if you still love welding when you make some more money at it, get yourself a TIG and an oxy acetaline setup, although a bit of a dinosour the good ol' torch is one of the most handy things you can have in a shop (as well as one of the most dangerous)

Anyway, best of luck with your welds and post up some pics of your progess as you go!

Awww hell... just noticed your in nebraska, anytime you wanna get together and lay some weld beads or get some tips let me know...what shop was it that went out of business? I'm surprised it's not something i've heard about *shrugs*

When you wanna get everything setup, take me to linweld with you, I'll hook you up with my "inside guy" and get you a little better pricing than your average joe, but you gotta spend a lot to get any real discounts, took me 9 grand in 3 months to get the deals i'm getting now and i've barely spent 500 since then

 

[brainlessher0]

I have the same miller rig for personal use... I love it

 

[boostforfun]

Yeah, I let my Dad borrow the 251 till I get 220 in my shop. I think he's pretty stoked.
I need to get a bottle for it, if anyone knows where there is one reasonable.

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

Brian

 

[turboglenn]

Yeah, I let my Dad borrow the 251 till I get 220 in my shop. I think he's pretty stoked.
I need to get a bottle for it, if anyone knows where there is one reasonable.

Thanks for all the advice, guys!

Brian

PM me your number tonight if you want to go to Linweld with me tomorrow and i'll call you before i go if you want to meet there. I need to pick up argon and co2, so i can show you what you need to get and your options as far as sticking to a budget. Plus i can hook you up with my counter guy and probably get you a few dollars off on your refills anytime he rings you up. I have to go because i have to be able to work so you might as well come along if you've got the time. Plus I could give you some tips and show you some techniques used to get better welds after getting back.

I could show you a fe things that i've done on a small MIG like your lincoln and you might even get some ideas of what you can do with your MIG to make yourslef some extra money on the side when you get good. and the types of beads used for the things like thin piping and superthick stuff like 1/2inch plate welded to 1 x 1/4 flat bar used in motorcycle 12 oclock bars

 

[Ravenous]

Man, I want a welder so bad it is sick. My dad just got one and whenever we go out to his house for holiday/dinner/anything we usually end up blowing 4+ hours just laying down beads on sheet metal. I was looking at the Hobart Handler 140 or 180, unless I come across anything used like that (not likely). I wish there were an envious smiley.

 

[half-cocked]

Just unplug the dryer in your house, then boom, 220.

 

[turboglenn]

Man, I want a welder so bad it is sick. My dad just got one and whenever we go out to his house for holiday/dinner/anything we usually end up blowing 4+ hours just laying down beads on sheet metal. I was looking at the Hobart Handler 140 or 180, unless I come across anything used like that (not likely). I wish there were an envious smiley.

YOu will love a handler 140, but if you can spare for the 180 you can do more. personally i just have a handler 135 (older version of the 140 ) and whatever it can't handle i'll either TIG or stick weld. I've had my handler for over 10 years, and have run it on setting 4 (wide open) for the last 5 of those about every time i use it and it never even flinches

Just unplug the dryer in your house, then boom, 220.

That's what i do

 

[boostforfun]

I was wondering if they had like a 40' 220 extension cord

No, sorry about not getting back to you glenn, I have been remodeling my house. I have 5 weeks to refinish basement, install 3 windows, repaint exterior, and half-remodel 2 bathrooms... im busy

 

[UofACATS]

Great deals! Now go make some cool stuff.

I was wondering if they had like a 40' 220 extension cord

I made my own extension cord for my 220v welder because my garage has only 110v.

Went to the Depot, found a roll of wire 100' long and waterproof and overkill for a decent price, (which I can't remember, but much cheaper than an extension cord.) Then picked up the plugs in a different isle and put it together in about 15 minutes with wire strippers and a screwdriver.

Done.

My advice is make it longer than you think you'll need it.

 

[turboglenn]

I was wondering if they had like a 40' 220 extension cord

No, sorry about not getting back to you glenn, I have been remodeling my house. I have 5 weeks to refinish basement, install 3 windows, repaint exterior, and half-remodel 2 bathrooms... im busy

I own a painting business for homes, if you need to sub out some work i'll do you a really nice deal and with the 2 guys that work for me we can knock that baby out in no time...5 year warranty on the job as well (on exteriors anyway) No big deal on not going the other day, my counter guy wasn't there anyway so there was no one for me to hook you up with. If there's any time next week you want to go let me know. Also, even if you can't afford to hire out your painting i'll let you buy on my accounts and save you an assload of money on paint and supplies that you can spend on your DSM !

I also do interior painting and since it is one of my main jobs besides fab we work from 8 am to 5 pm, so you would have your house to relax in during the evening if you do decide to have it painted, I am licensed, insured and have tons of jobs you can look at should you consider having us do the paint

(admins/mods...please let me know if this is out of line..since the work at hand is painting a house i didn't figure it would interfere with other vendors for me to offer up my company's workmanship, unless of course dsmlink now has a home painting division )

Anyway, no pressure and i could actually get your painting done within 2 weeks from today before i start my next big interior remodel out on 168th and blondo

 

[snakeyes711]

I was wondering if they had like a 40' 220 extension cord

No, sorry about not getting back to you glenn, I have been remodeling my house. I have 5 weeks to refinish basement, install 3 windows, repaint exterior, and half-remodel 2 bathrooms... im busy

They make 220 cord like that. Then you buy the ends, and wire it on, and its god. We used to use them to extend across shops at a pressure vessel plant I worked at.Those old welders used like 40 foot gun leads. I used to have one of those brand ass new I loved that thing. I definalty had to get another gun on it though. Now I just have my good ol Miller 120./