New welder

[superdave2335]

Well the wife suprised me today and called a fabricator buddy of mine. Needless to say looks like I'm going to finally be able to weld again!!! Soo pumped and ready to slap a few ideas together! It's an Eastwood tig 200 btw sent from the igloo.

[ABolewski]

I cannot wait to go to school for welding. Taking a two month class on Camp Pendleton next year. Have fun man.

[superdave2335]

Originally Posted by ABolewski I cannot wait to go to school for welding. Taking a two month class on Camp Pendleton next year. Have fun man.

ya I have been using a cheap mig flux core for years (won't even use it on my car) and I'm glad I finally made the investment

sent from the igloo.

[sidekick]

Congrats, post up some pics once you get started. Tig is extremely rewarding if you practice, practice, practice.

Here is some of my first aluminum welds:

[superdave2335]

Originally Posted by sidekick Congrats, post up some pics once you get started. Tig is extremely rewarding if you practice, practice, practice. Here is some of my first aluminum welds:

Got it unpacked today. Now just to build my station.

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sent from the igloo.

[mazdas4me]

Sweet! I am jealous!

[superdave2335]

Basic starting point for my welding station is together now. My electrician will be wiring my 220v outlet in here soon. Other than that I just need to pick up my argon cylinder and I'm good to go!

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sent from the igloo.

[DSIT995]

I just got the same welder! Always a skill I've wanted to learn and thought I'd be good at, Eastwood kit is great value only wish the footpeadl was bit stronger/heavy

Any parts you plan on fabbing up?

Glad I stepped up my tank to an 80 from a 40.. Pita running out of argon

I wired up 220v 50 amp breaker and it only took a hr or so... Very simple if your box is right there

I have to many expensive hobbies. Lol

[superdave2335]

Originally Posted by DSIT995 I just got the same welder! Always a skill I've wanted to learn and thought I'd be good at, Eastwood kit is great value only wish the footpeadl was bit stronger/heavy Any parts you plan on fabbing up? Glad I stepped up my tank to an 80 from a 40.. Pita running out of argon I wired up 220v 50 amp breaker and it only took a hr or so... Very simple if your box is right there I have to many expensive hobbies. Lol

Mini occ was first on my list. I have no clue how to wire in 220v good thing my neighbor is an electrician though

sent from the igloo.

[Cheapspeed]

Originally Posted by superdave2335 Mini occ was first on my list. I have no clue how to wire in 220v good thing my neighbor is an electrician though sent from the igloo.

When you come back to Texas ill wire it up for you just lemme know, Im a licensed electrician.

[superdave2335]

Originally Posted by Cheapspeed When you come back to Texas ill wire it up for you just lemme know, Im a licensed electrician.

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YEEESSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!! Score

sent from the igloo.

[Mazdazilla6]

I'm taking a welding course this semester and just wanted to ask about gloves. What are your preference?

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 I'm taking a welding course this semester and just wanted to ask about gloves. What are your preference?

Are you doing MIG or TIG welding? For MIG, you're going to want something thick and heavy. For TIG, you'll want something thinner and lighter to give you more flexibility and control.

[jm211]

Very nice! Much better than my ac welder with a hack add-on left over cold war parts DC converter.

Works good though...

[Mazdazilla6]

Originally Posted by sidekick Are you doing MIG or TIG welding? For MIG, you're going to want something thick and heavy. For TIG, you'll want something thinner and lighter to give you more flexibility and control.

I'll be doing MIG, TIG, STICK and OXY. My teacher already told me it would be best to get two sets (light and heavy), but I'm unsure if there is a preferred brand or certain ones I should avoid.

[Cheapspeed]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 I'll be doing MIG, TIG, STICK and OXY. My teacher already told me it would be best to get two sets (light and heavy), but I'm unsure if there is a preferred brand or certain ones I should avoid.

Im not a welder but one thing tradework has taught me is that it's rare you'll buy a tool that will last til the end of your career. Read a few reviews and buy a set to start with, they won't be your last.

[sidekick]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 I'll be doing MIG, TIG, STICK and OXY. My teacher already told me it would be best to get two sets (light and heavy), but I'm unsure if there is a preferred brand or certain ones I should avoid.

I'll double check when I get home, but I believe the tig gloves I have are Lincoln and I like them so far, but they haven't seen a ton of use.

[InkedInspector]

If anyone needs weld inspection holla at your boy, I got dem fancy papers and everything. Lol, but seriously if you guys seem to be having a weld kick your ass and wanna post pictures I'll try to help you via the internet as best as I can. I'll give you your first weld lesson free of charge, stick=SMAW if you wanna be proper. tig=GTAW and mig is GMAW. Impress your teacher man, just don't say you had help. Welding rules.

[Realgib3]

Originally Posted by Mazdazilla6 I'll be doing MIG, TIG, STICK and OXY. My teacher already told me it would be best to get two sets (light and heavy), but I'm unsure if there is a preferred brand or certain ones I should avoid.

Most gas/welding shops will sell the big thick gloves, then my personal preference for TIG is the nicer "Mechanics" gloves from Autozone or Advance or really any autoparts store. Those are by far my favorite welding gloves.

[DSIT995]

Originally Posted by Realgib3 Most gas/welding shops will sell the big thick gloves, then my personal preference for TIG is the nicer "Mechanics" gloves from Autozone or Advance or really any autoparts store. Those are by far my favorite welding gloves.

Just make sure they are all leather. . I had some nice work gloves that melted at the seams from the heat..
These have worked much better


tapping....

[norcalcasey]

Just dont tell your friends! you'll have people coming out of the woodwork like you won the lottery

[superdave2335]

Ok first attempt using the welder. Keep in mind I have never tig welded or welded alluminum. I'm also on 110v. Bottom was first attempt then I adjusted flow and amps and top was second try. Don't bash me. Lol

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sent from the igloo.

[jdmage_mx5]

I've been following this thread and researching the same welder. Looks like you're starting to get the hang of it.

[superdave2335]

Some more practice using 3/32 4043 @80 amps

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sent from the igloo.

[superdave2335]

Tried some diff settings using no filler today. Made a pass using these settings with some filler as well

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sent from the igloo.

[DSIT995]

Originally Posted by superdave2335 Ok first attempt using the welder. Keep in mind I have never tig welded or welded alluminum. I'm also on 110v. Bottom was first attempt then I adjusted flow and amps and top was second try. Don't bash me. Lol Attachment 144829 sent from the igloo.

Weldingweb is a great resource for stuff although its no msf!

Not bad, u need some 220v juice!

tapping....

[superdave2335]

Ya I am just waiting in my buddy still to setup my 220v. I did lay down prob my best bead yet tonight while showing my buddy the machine.

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sent from the igloo.

[superdave2335]

Fixed my mounting bracket today. First joint weld I have done.

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sent from the igloo.

[superdave2335]

Ordered all my piping for redoing my fmic set up. I'll keep ya all posted.

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sent from the igloo.

[Mazdazilla6]

TIG welded for the first time this week. Got a bit sloppy at the end.

[sidekick]

I really need to sack up and pay tech shop so I can start welding again.

Good shit @superdave2335; and @Mazdazilla6;


@Raider; can you move this to the fabrication subforum now that we have one?

[Enki]

I need to get a tig welder for when the time comes to do piping on my project car; right now everything is being done with flux core mig, and it makes a mess (but works just fine on all the mild steel framing).

How much is that welder in the window? *Sizzle sizzle*

[superdave2335]

Blow thru maf fabbed up

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sent from the igloo.

[socks]

I use a Hobart EZ-Tig 165i

[Cheapspeed]

I've always wanted to learn how to weld.

[DSIT995]

Couple of my recent projects..
51r battery box
VC Catch can

[DSIT995]

Used plastic hardware to isolate the ecu from battery

[superdave2335]

Finished up the blow thru maf and redid the ic piping

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sent from the igloo.

[DSIT995]

Welds look great, the MAF house looks really good. Thick to thin is def tough to do well and that looks clean
What setting did you use for the piping?
Amps, clearance?

[Mazdazilla6]

Looks great man. And yes as already stated welding thick on thin isn't easy, that's only amplified by the fact it's aluminum. I TIG'ed some aluminum for the first time on tuesday. AL melts really fast if you're not careful. I found myself flying through filler metal at first, eventually got the hang of it though.

Decided to make a license plate holder for the miata while I was at it. Turned out a little rough. Only had a few pieces of the right size strips so I only had one try at it. Need to clean it up with a grinding wheel and drill the holes but I think it might turn out ok.

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