[TheForge] welder suggestions

[Grover Richardson]

I don't do structural welds.  I do only ornamental type.  But still when I
am finished, I take the old 3.5 pound hammer and give each a good whack.
Yes, an ugly weld can stick, but a beautiful weld can fall apart.  I've been
surprised on more than one occasion<G>.

>*>-----Original Message-----
>*>From: theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net 
>*>[mailto:theforge-bounces at mailman.qth.net] On Behalf Of Jerry Frost
>*>Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 2:49 PM
>*>To: Sponsored by ABANA
>*>Subject: Re: [TheForge] welder suggestions
>*>
>*>
>*>Steve:
>*>
>*>Go with the stick machine. The learning curve is a good 
>*>thing. It's a lot 
>*>more versatile than GMAW and a lot less versatile than TIG. 
>*>It'll be slower 
>*>than GMAW but faster than TIG.
>*>
>*> Lastly migs are rightly known as the lawyer's welder. Until 
>*>a person 
>*>actually KNOWS how to weld (make a puddle and fill it in) 
>*>migs are downright 
>*>dangerous for structural welding. Point and weld makes it 
>*>easy to make a 
>*>beautiful LOOKING weld that's cold lapped on one side.
>*>
>*>Don't get me wrong, GMAW and MIG make fine structural 
>*>welders if the person 
>*>behind the tool is trained up. The learning curve to 
>*>competent structural 
>*>welder is about the same with either type machine.
>*>
>*>So, here's my actual advice. Buy as large a multi process 
>*>machine as you can 
>*>afford. Start with stick and upgrade to GMAW, MIG and TIG as 
>*>you need and 
>*>can afford to.
>*>
>*>Frosty
>*>-------------------------------
>*>If it ain't forged
>*>it ain't real.
>*>Wrought iron is.
>*>The FrostWorks
>*>
>*>Meadow Lakes, AK.
>*>
>*>From: <Steven.Walker at its.state.ms.us>
>*>
>*>
>*>> I'm in the market for a welding machine.  But I'm having a 
>*>dilemma on 
>*>> what to buy. I have two buddies that are welders by trade and both 
>*>> have suggested different paths for me so I'm at a loss at 
>*>what to do.  
>*>> One thinks I should go with a 220v MIG (ie. Lincoln 
>*>Electric SP-175) 
>*>> and the other thinks I should go with an AC/DC stick machine.
>*>>
>*>> I've researched this on the Internet and there seems to be 
>*>arguments 
>*>> for both sides....good arguments.  Money is a big issue.  
>*>I can get 
>*>> into the stick machine for much cheaper initial cost.  But 
>*>I hear in 
>*>> the long run, the consumables will be cheaper with MIG.  I 
>*>also hear 
>*>> there is a much greater learning curve with the stick 
>*>machine.  I've 
>*>> used both already and the MIG was easier but I don't think I would 
>*>> have a problem learning the stick if that's what I chose.
>*>>
>*>> And I know it also depends on what I'm going to weld.  I 
>*>realize there 
>*>> is not one welder out there that will do everything but 
>*>I'm looking 
>*>> for a welder that will best serve the majority of my needs.  Could 
>*>> range from fabricating stands (for swage block, anvil, 
>*>etc.),  tables 
>*>> for shop, building stock racks, repairing tractor 
>*>implements (disk, 
>*>> bush hog, box blade, etc.), building/repairing truck 
>*>bumpers/hitches, 
>*>> and various blacksmithing project needs.
>*>>
>*>> I'm sure there are a few opinions in this group and I'd 
>*>sure like to 
>*>> hear them.
>*>>
>*>> Thanks!
>*>> Steven Walker
>*>>
>*>
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