Buying a welder
#361
Supporting Vendor
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/vendor.png)
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 3,303
Total Cats: 1,216
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
before doing your exhaust, check out: Project Binky - Episode 12 - Austin Mini GT-Four - Turbocharged 4WD Mini - YouTube
at 13:00 he starts fabricating his exhaust. also builds a most clever jig for a cutoff saw. i love project binky. the best fabricator i've ever seen.
at 13:00 he starts fabricating his exhaust. also builds a most clever jig for a cutoff saw. i love project binky. the best fabricator i've ever seen.
Thanks for showing me this, I'm going to copy that saw jig.
#362
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
3 month follow up on my eastwood 135. This thing is way under powered. The settings chart with c25 tops out at 12 gauge and it won't penetrate 1/8 plate properly in a single pass. They advertise it as "up to 3/16 with solid core wire". I'm not sure how they came to that conclusion. To do 3/16 I think you would be limited to a few types of joints and you would need big bevels and a torch preheat. Im going to get rid of it and pick up a decent small lincoln or horbart/miller.
#369
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
if you want a cabinet for your welder, now is the time. this one from northern tool ($169) has a drawer on the bottom for your helmet. the harbor freight one has a cubbyhole on the bottom and is $154.99 this week. i think the drawer is worth the $15, and they are ball-bearing drawer slides.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395734_200395734
edit:
i don't know why, but the link above says the item is no longer available. i bought one yesterday. perhaps you can still find one on the shelf in your local store. good luck.
edit:
ah, i see what they've done there. they've discontinued 164782 and replaced it with 48348 which is now branded as "klutch" and btw, they raised the non-sale price to $229 (48348) from $219 (164782). best plan, search your local store shelves.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200395734_200395734
edit:
i don't know why, but the link above says the item is no longer available. i bought one yesterday. perhaps you can still find one on the shelf in your local store. good luck.
edit:
ah, i see what they've done there. they've discontinued 164782 and replaced it with 48348 which is now branded as "klutch" and btw, they raised the non-sale price to $229 (48348) from $219 (164782). best plan, search your local store shelves.
Last edited by portabull; 07-14-2016 at 12:03 PM.
#370
Senior Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (2)
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Goleta, Southern California
Posts: 520
Total Cats: 27
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Looks like a nice enough cart however I built my own. I have limited shop space so my cart fits into a small space between my tool box and shelving. Also, has a small table built into the top of it and more places to hang torch, ground, power lead, ect. Plus it's always a good first welder project.
#373
Senior Member
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Farmington Hills, MI
Posts: 1,218
Total Cats: 175
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I use McMaster deerskin TIG gloves. They're annoying for the first 2 uses because the material sheds a little bit, but after that they are wonderful. Super soft, thin, and still protective. They are good at keeping radiant heat way, but not conductive at all, so don't except to be able to pick up freshly welded joints and stuff. McMaster-Carr
#374
Supporting Vendor
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/vendor.png)
iTrader: (3)
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego
Posts: 3,303
Total Cats: 1,216
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Steiner IronFlex TIG gloves work great, lots more feel through them than regular MIG gloves but still insulate pretty well. Also highly recommend a Tig Finger - particularly for aluminum but once you have it you'll use it on everything.
#375
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/moderator.png)
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I use McMaster deerskin TIG gloves. They're annoying for the first 2 uses because the material sheds a little bit, but after that they are wonderful. Super soft, thin, and still protective. They are good at keeping radiant heat way, but not conductive at all, so don't except to be able to pick up freshly welded joints and stuff. McMaster-Carr
#376
Elite Member
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Detroit (the part with no rules or laws)
Posts: 5,683
Total Cats: 805
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Similar to these? https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Split.../dp/B002D8Y8E6
Like this? https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Tips-.../dp/B00GYHT8PG
Like this? https://www.amazon.com/Welding-Tips-.../dp/B00GYHT8PG
#377
SADFab Destructive Testing Engineer
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/supporter1.gif)
![](/mt2011/images_td/ranks/moderator.png)
iTrader: (5)
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Beaverton, USA
Posts: 18,642
Total Cats: 1,866
![Default](https://www.miataturbo.net/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Kewl. Thanks guys. I'll report back when I get to try them out next. I burnt too many holes in my harbor freight work gloves. And yesterday my filler rod melted a chunk of glove and it stuck to my hand with a nice burn.