(05-27-2020, 03:24 PM)PJ Wrote: I just have the cheapo wire welder from Harbor Freight.  It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a nice one.  I think your only settings are a high/low type switch and a dial to control the wire speed.  But I've used it on my exhaust, trunk pan, a roll around shop stool, built a steel work bench with a wood top... welded a cast iron tractor seat to a milk pale.

Just screwing around practicing really. I suck at welding but I can make 2 pieces of metal stick together and the cheap Harbor Freighter hasn't let me down.

(05-27-2020, 04:36 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 03:24 PM)PJ Wrote: I just have the cheapo wire welder from Harbor Freight.  It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a nice one.  I think your only settings are a high/low type switch and a dial to control the wire speed.  But I've used it on my exhaust, trunk pan, a roll around shop stool, built a steel work bench with a wood top... welded a cast iron tractor seat to a milk pale.

Just screwing around practicing really. I suck at welding but I can make 2 pieces of metal stick together and the cheap Harbor Freighter hasn't let me down.

I am scared to get into welding because I know how I solder and it isn't pretty.  lol

(05-27-2020, 04:49 PM)Orion1876 Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 04:36 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 03:24 PM)PJ Wrote: I just have the cheapo wire welder from Harbor Freight.  It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a nice one.  I think your only settings are a high/low type switch and a dial to control the wire speed.  But I've used it on my exhaust, trunk pan, a roll around shop stool, built a steel work bench with a wood top... welded a cast iron tractor seat to a milk pale.

Just screwing around practicing really. I suck at welding but I can make 2 pieces of metal stick together and the cheap Harbor Freighter hasn't let me down.

I am scared to get into welding because I know how I solder and it isn't pretty.  lol

I am interested in getting into welding as well.  I would probably go with which ever one is cheaper.  Don't want to spend a ton on it because I am not sure how much I will actually use it.  My soldering was ok last time I soldered something but its been a while, so there is no telling.  

(05-27-2020, 08:39 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 04:49 PM)Orion1876 Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 04:36 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 03:24 PM)PJ Wrote: I just have the cheapo wire welder from Harbor Freight.  It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a nice one.  I think your only settings are a high/low type switch and a dial to control the wire speed.  But I've used it on my exhaust, trunk pan, a roll around shop stool, built a steel work bench with a wood top... welded a cast iron tractor seat to a milk pale.

Just screwing around practicing really. I suck at welding but I can make 2 pieces of metal stick together and the cheap Harbor Freighter hasn't let me down.

I am scared to get into welding because I know how I solder and it isn't pretty.  lol

I am interested in getting into welding as well.  I would probably go with which ever one is cheaper.  Don't want to spend a ton on it because I am not sure how much I will actually use it.  My soldering was ok last time I soldered something but its been a while, so there is no telling.  

I wasn't going to go with the stick welding route as I figured it would be better as a beginner to use the electric/gas combo...  Hoping for more input here.

Not to mention I don't have a dedicated circuit handy.  I suppose I could use the dryer plug but would rather not.

(05-27-2020, 11:23 PM)PJ Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 08:39 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 04:49 PM)Orion1876 Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 04:36 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 03:24 PM)PJ Wrote: I just have the cheapo wire welder from Harbor Freight.  It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a nice one.  I think your only settings are a high/low type switch and a dial to control the wire speed.  But I've used it on my exhaust, trunk pan, a roll around shop stool, built a steel work bench with a wood top... welded a cast iron tractor seat to a milk pale.

Just screwing around practicing really. I suck at welding but I can make 2 pieces of metal stick together and the cheap Harbor Freighter hasn't let me down.

I am scared to get into welding because I know how I solder and it isn't pretty.  lol

I am interested in getting into welding as well.  I would probably go with which ever one is cheaper.  Don't want to spend a ton on it because I am not sure how much I will actually use it.  My soldering was ok last time I soldered something but its been a while, so there is no telling.  

I wasn't going to go with the stick welding route as I figured it would be better as a beginner to use the electric/gas combo...  Hoping for more input here.

Not to mention I don't have a dedicated circuit handy.  I suppose I could use the dryer plug but would rather not.

I can't imagine an easier set up than the cheapo Harbor Freight one.  Its 110v, you turn it on and hit the trigger.  Smart people grab a mask at some point before hitting the trigger.

Its really a simple machine to use, my welding is just trash.  I always end up pulling away and having too much wire out.

(05-27-2020, 11:23 PM)PJ Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 08:39 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 04:49 PM)Orion1876 Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 04:36 PM)MiscellaneousDave Wrote:

(05-27-2020, 03:24 PM)PJ Wrote: I just have the cheapo wire welder from Harbor Freight.  It doesn't have all the bells and whistles of a nice one.  I think your only settings are a high/low type switch and a dial to control the wire speed.  But I've used it on my exhaust, trunk pan, a roll around shop stool, built a steel work bench with a wood top... welded a cast iron tractor seat to a milk pale.

Just screwing around practicing really. I suck at welding but I can make 2 pieces of metal stick together and the cheap Harbor Freighter hasn't let me down.

I am scared to get into welding because I know how I solder and it isn't pretty.  lol

I am interested in getting into welding as well.  I would probably go with which ever one is cheaper.  Don't want to spend a ton on it because I am not sure how much I will actually use it.  My soldering was ok last time I soldered something but its been a while, so there is no telling.  

I wasn't going to go with the stick welding route as I figured it would be better as a beginner to use the electric/gas combo...  Hoping for more input here.

Not to mention I don't have a dedicated circuit handy.  I suppose I could use the dryer plug but would rather not.

I can't imagine an easier set up than the cheapo Harbor Freight one.  Its 110v, you turn it on and hit the trigger.  Smart people grab a mask at some point before hitting the trigger.

Its really a simple machine to use, my welding is just trash.  I always end up pulling away and having too much wire out.