welder in the works

[slickmainer]

I think i've decided on this unit from Eastwood (im not sure who actually makes it) Bottle ready, two dials, and works off a regular outlet. and only $300. for an extra $100 you can get the cart and helmet, but im not sure it's worth that. thoughts?


http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110v ... utput.html

Eastwoods new 135amp max power Mig welder with 20% duty cycle at 90 amp. Operates on standard 110VAC 20 amp circuits. Unit includes 0.030" flux core wire, gas regulator and instruction book, the only thing you will need is to rent a bottle of 75% CO2/25% Argon

[sgart80]

get the helmet if it's autodarkening, if it's not, you can buy an auto-dimming helmet from northern tool for $50 plus shipping, this is the one I have, and I think it's a great helmet, but i'm a novice welder and I've never had any experiences with high priced ones.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/ ... _200311850

check out this video review.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUhD63fmB-k

also nice welding carts are expensive, but with a little inovation you can make your own, just google "homemade welding carts" for some ideas.

you can always make one out of a shopping cart: (although I do not encourage steeling a shopping cart)
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/424 ... 9de1c4.jpg

[Max]

Don't think you can go wrong with that. 3 year warranty. Don't cheap out on a helmet!!! It's your eyes and you can't get another set of those at a welding supply.

[ICEMAN6166]

i think its good because there seem to be many arc settings
i really like my lincoln but theres only 4
seems most of the newer ones have more.
that should help a lot with sheet metal.

get the gas bottle too,then before you attack the truck weld yourself up a cart to try out the welder.

[Gritsngumbo]

I would go with the combo setup at $399. The cart lists for $49 (most I've seen are about $100, tho don't know about quality comparisons) and the helmet is self-darkening.

[Supercab65]

I'd get the cart and helmet too. If the helmet is cheap; save it as a spare. It always nice to have a second helmet around if you have a helper in your shop that wants to see you weld or if you are teaching them to.

So the cart lists for $49 and lets say my time is worth $25 an hour (cheap for fab work!) then I should get the cart because there's no way I could build that in only two hours. I haven't even included cost of materials. Use the cart and see how you like; decide what you would add or change on it, then build a new one later if you so desire.

[Greg D]

A good cart @ $49 isn't bad. I got one from Harbor Freight for $35 on sale - I also spend $20 in new fasteners for it cause the ones that come with it are far too soft. This is the reason I waited almost 2 months for it to go on sale - I knew I would be shelling for new nuts & bolts.
Is that $299 with the gauges? that is a pretty good deal - I spent another $35 for my flow gauges on sale after $250 for the welder.

[Gritsngumbo]

Does anyone own one of the Eastwood Welders, know someone who has one or have they used one?

[428blown]

I see that you are researching MIG welders before you buy. That is very good. But 20% duty cycle@90amp is pretty light. I have found that if you buy cheap tools, especially a welder, you get cheap results. Now I realize that everyone does not have a lot of money to go out and buy top notch, but saving up and buying a good used welder, and if you are going to be in the hobby of building trucks for the next 15 to 20 years I suggest nothing less than 220volt, might be better in the long run. I have not used this exact unit, but I have tried a few 110volt welders and found them to be lacking any power. Also save your money and weld your own cart.

[charliemccraney]

The 20% duty cycle is about on par for 110v welders. My Lincoln 110v, 130amp was the top of their 110v line when I got it. At the higher settings, the duty cycle is low. A 110v welder just isn't designed to be able to weld plate steel non stop. It's done all the welding I've needed to do on my truck so far without any problems.

[ICEMAN6166]

the 20% is deceptive in my opinion.
i have used it many times more than 12 minutes per hour , on all the settings.

[slickmainer]

well I agree that the 220 would be better, most would, but I do not have access to 220 line. I think this will do what i need, and i then save money for a compressor or other truck parts.

[428blown]

I do not have access to 220 line

If you have 110, you have access to 220. Does this mean you're planning to get a 110volt compressor? Any air tool will wear that out quickly. I'm not knocking your decision, we're all in the same spot of limited funds and big dreams, but I want you to get good value for dollar. Remember, good value isn't the lowest cost. How many welders have you used? Some welding equipment sellers have demo areas where you can lay down a few beads with the welders to see how you like them before you buy. If you haven't spent much time welding maybe you should take a class at a local community college. I realize that Eastwood or Harbor Freight, GAG! sells something labeled "welder", but I know 8 to 9 people who have a similar model sitting in the back corner of the garage broken and worthless. But hey, thats just my two cents.

[jakdad]

That welder looks like a Miller. Excellent unit. Would probably be the best 110V you can buy.

[428blown]

http://weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=41965
Found a good amount of info about Eastwood welders on line.