Buying a welder
#561
mkturbo.com
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The woodward bead roller I ordered shipped fast and was built well. The only issue was all the dies were larger then any of the pipes I wanted to roll. I probably would not hesitate at all buying woodward tool again if it is something I needed.
#562
Tungsten Grinders
Anyone tried the TungstenMate Simplicity for grinding TIG electrodes?
TungstenMate $40 eBay
I'm ready to get a dedicated grinder, but can't get my head around $250+ for an HTP or similar when it's basically a dremel tool with a guide attachment. I have no problem paying good $ for quality tools, but don't see any reason why a TungstenMate or Scottsman shouldn't be able to produce similar results at less than 1/2 the cost.
TungstenMate $40 eBay
I'm ready to get a dedicated grinder, but can't get my head around $250+ for an HTP or similar when it's basically a dremel tool with a guide attachment. I have no problem paying good $ for quality tools, but don't see any reason why a TungstenMate or Scottsman shouldn't be able to produce similar results at less than 1/2 the cost.
#563
Get the eastwood tungsten grinder. Incredible for $90 and worth every penny. Perfect grinds at various angles for 3/32 and 1/16, and the discs last a really long time.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tu...der-57555.html
One of the best purchases I have made welding related.
Oh, and it has slots built into it for snapping off buggered tunsgten. Works really well and has saved me a ton of time.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tu...der-57555.html
One of the best purchases I have made welding related.
Oh, and it has slots built into it for snapping off buggered tunsgten. Works really well and has saved me a ton of time.
#564
Get the eastwood tungsten grinder. Incredible for $90 and worth every penny. Perfect grinds at various angles for 3/32 and 1/16, and the discs last a really long time.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tu...der-57555.html
One of the best purchases I have made welding related.
Oh, and it has slots built into it for snapping off buggered tunsgten. Works really well and has saved me a ton of time.
https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-tu...der-57555.html
One of the best purchases I have made welding related.
Oh, and it has slots built into it for snapping off buggered tunsgten. Works really well and has saved me a ton of time.
Edit: just realized you said the Eastwood will do multiple angles... their site only lists 22.5*? Does it have other options?
#566
I have considered the Eastwood, but it won't do 1/8" tungstens. I also don't really like that the tungsten isn't fully surrounded/supported by the tool, compared to the other choices.
Edit: just realized you said the Eastwood will do multiple angles... their site only lists 22.5*? Does it have other options?
Edit: just realized you said the Eastwood will do multiple angles... their site only lists 22.5*? Does it have other options?
here is a better pic of the top.
#570
https://www.ebay.com/itm/TungstenMat...-/183295893621 Here's the updated version of the tungstenmate which he really seams to like. Scroll down on the add and the is a video of the updated version. It's the one I am going to get. Wear a mask when grinding a new point.
#571
just a heads up on Everlast welders..... if yo buy a 250 amp TIG machine/kit, it will not work when it arrives. you also have to buy a 500 dollar water cooler, or a low amperage air cooled torch.
The cooler is listed as optional; it is not. You need to have one to use the machine the way they send it to you.
The response I got when asked why i wasn't sold a water cooler in the first place was "well a car dealer doesn't tell you a car needs gas" The technical help treated me like a complete *******. Said they cant be responsible for every little thing.
The cooler is listed as optional; it is not. You need to have one to use the machine the way they send it to you.
The response I got when asked why i wasn't sold a water cooler in the first place was "well a car dealer doesn't tell you a car needs gas" The technical help treated me like a complete *******. Said they cant be responsible for every little thing.
#573
It is a fairly simple fix, but it pisses me off that I spent 2k, waited 3 weeks and now I need $500 additional stuff, to use it as advertised and sold.
#574
Just for the education to the rest in the thread -
there are 3 basic size groups -
small -
9 - 125a air cooled shares consumables with 20 (cups, holders, collets)
20 - 250a water cooled
medium -
17 -150a air cooled shares consumables with 18 & 26. "150" isn't a hard limit - but you'll start melting cups and need to break out your mig welding gloves if you use it at 200a for awhile. This is your most common size.
18 - 350a water cooled
large
26 - 200a air cooled - I'm sure there's a water cooled equivalent that's probably 500a capable. Yes, it still gets warm at 200a, but not nearly as bad as a wp17.
and i'll throw out weldingcity as a source for cheap consumables and torches. At $10 for a no frills flex head wp17, it makes it affordable to melt.
there are 3 basic size groups -
small -
9 - 125a air cooled shares consumables with 20 (cups, holders, collets)
20 - 250a water cooled
medium -
17 -150a air cooled shares consumables with 18 & 26. "150" isn't a hard limit - but you'll start melting cups and need to break out your mig welding gloves if you use it at 200a for awhile. This is your most common size.
18 - 350a water cooled
large
26 - 200a air cooled - I'm sure there's a water cooled equivalent that's probably 500a capable. Yes, it still gets warm at 200a, but not nearly as bad as a wp17.
and i'll throw out weldingcity as a source for cheap consumables and torches. At $10 for a no frills flex head wp17, it makes it affordable to melt.
#575
Update on my Everlast 250 EX purchase
2 weeks later and I still do not have a water cooler. I also purchased a couple stubby kits to convert the larger torches to a smaller front end, every kit was sent with the incorrect insulator ring. customer service is understanding and quick to rectify but gawd damn. quit effing up my order please.
I am beginning to have $2700 worth of buyers remorse.
2 weeks later and I still do not have a water cooler. I also purchased a couple stubby kits to convert the larger torches to a smaller front end, every kit was sent with the incorrect insulator ring. customer service is understanding and quick to rectify but gawd damn. quit effing up my order please.
I am beginning to have $2700 worth of buyers remorse.
#576
Does anyone have any experience with the Forney Easy Weld 299 125FC Flux Core Welder, 120-Volt, 125-Amp?
I own an AHP alphatig 200x and I love that, I want to pick up a MIG welder for tacking, seam welding, and simple stuff that is cheap or reasonable. I understand that the Forney is gasless flux core welding only and I think I am ok with that. Seems to have decent reviews. For any moderate to heavy work Ill use the AHP.
Am I crazy for looking at this or is there an APH equivalent MIG machine?
I own an AHP alphatig 200x and I love that, I want to pick up a MIG welder for tacking, seam welding, and simple stuff that is cheap or reasonable. I understand that the Forney is gasless flux core welding only and I think I am ok with that. Seems to have decent reviews. For any moderate to heavy work Ill use the AHP.
Am I crazy for looking at this or is there an APH equivalent MIG machine?
#579
Well after doing some more research and thinking about my needs I went ahead and picked up the Harbor Freight Titanium MIG 170 Professional Welder with 120/240 Volt Input. It can do both solid core and flux. I set it up for flux to save my argon for the TIG and followed the recommended settings for the metal I was using. After not MIG'ing in years here is my first attempted:
Overall after welding with it for a while, I am really pleased with this 220 welder for 440 dollars on sale. Manual says 100% duty cycle @ 80 amps @ 220v. Hopefully, it holds up with use.
Overall after welding with it for a while, I am really pleased with this 220 welder for 440 dollars on sale. Manual says 100% duty cycle @ 80 amps @ 220v. Hopefully, it holds up with use.
Last edited by Joseph Conley; 04-28-2019 at 12:59 AM. Reason: More detail.
#580
My Chinese made inverter TIG blew up it's main board for the 2nd time, not happy, so I impulse bought a fairly over-the-top replacement.
Came with a flex head torch, foot pedal, and has the optional pulse setup. Very keen to see how it goes! (After I somehow get a 100A circuit to the garage )
Came with a flex head torch, foot pedal, and has the optional pulse setup. Very keen to see how it goes! (After I somehow get a 100A circuit to the garage )