What type of welding is best?

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

BReeves

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Feb 18, 2010
Messages
2,733
Reaction score
1,603
Location
Catoosa
I do allot of what you want (farm welding) with a Lincoln 220V MIG and inershield (flux core) wire. If I need to get far away from the shop I plug it into my 5500 W standby generator. Flux core saves me the bother of another gas bottle and does everything I usually need inside and out. I have an AC stick welder that I use once in a while for really heavy stuff but seem to use it less and less as time goes by.

Oh: Go to Attwoods and get the auto dark helmet they sell. Just under $100.00 and 10 times better than one from Harbor Freight.
 

CHenry

Sharpshooter
Special Hen
Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
21,157
Reaction score
12,661
Location
Under your bed
Your eyes are worth way more than $100.

I did the research initially, everyone said as long as it complies with the ANSI standard you are good, just get a $100 helmet they said. Cowcatcher pretty accurately described the way your eyes feel when they are burned. And the $100 helmet did it to me. I bought a Speedglass and haven't had an issue since. Sure it was $300, but I haven't seen any good used eyes going for less than that recently... :)

Also protect your skin, I've burnt myself way too many times, both sparks, and flash burn, neither are any fun.
I didnt know the cost. I got my helmet included in the welder purchase and its a nice one.
 

Shoot Summ

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 24, 2006
Messages
6,259
Reaction score
1,367
Location
Tulsa
There ya go. I was correct lol
A blind hog roots a kernel of corn sometimes.

The hog is blind because of a cheap welding helmet... LOL

I guess the message is, for learning, maybe get the $100 unit, if you are serious about welding and will do a fair amount of it, get a good helmet. There are reasons good ones cost more, and they are worth it.
 

Cowcatcher

Unarmed boating accident survivor
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 22, 2017
Messages
6,171
Reaction score
13,853
Location
Inola
Here's some more tough guy wisdom: I don't like gloves, I don't wear em! I build barbwire fence with no gloves and I weld with no gloves. However, put your wedding ring in your pocket when welding! That sucker is like a magnet to molten Sparks and then they sear the skin between your fingers. That don't hurt much but your wife will complain when small chunks are missing out of your ring cuz them sparks stick real well to wedding rings. Also, button your collar button! Sparks do hurt when in contact with a moob! Be sure shirt pockets are latched and yes sparks can burn through denim if they find a fold to nest in. They will continue on through the underwear if hot enough but I can't say if they burn through.....uhhhhm.....male anatomy. They'll burn in for a ways though. Let's see what else.......YEAH, if you go mig, get a can of nozzle dip. That makes life much easier.
 

CHenry

Sharpshooter
Special Hen
Joined
Feb 12, 2009
Messages
21,157
Reaction score
12,661
Location
Under your bed
The hog is blind because of a cheap welding helmet... LOL

I guess the message is, for learning, maybe get the $100 unit, if you are serious about welding and will do a fair amount of it, get a good helmet. There are reasons good ones cost more, and they are worth it.
Pretty sure hes not looking at welding as a career.
But, you'd argue with a post.
 

Shoot Summ

Sharpshooter
Supporting Member
Special Hen Supporter
Joined
Dec 24, 2006
Messages
6,259
Reaction score
1,367
Location
Tulsa
Here's some more tough guy wisdom: I don't like gloves, I don't wear em! I build barbwire fence with no gloves and I weld with no gloves. However, put your wedding ring in your pocket when welding! That sucker is like a magnet to molten Sparks and then they sear the skin between your fingers. That don't hurt much but your wife will complain when small chunks are missing out of your ring cuz them sparks stick real well to wedding rings. Also, button your collar button! Sparks do hurt when in contact with a moob! Be sure shirt pockets are latched and yes sparks can burn through denim if they find a fold to nest in. They will continue on through the underwear if hot enough but I can't say if they burn through.....uhhhhm.....male anatomy. They'll burn in for a ways though. Let's see what else.......YEAH, if you go mig, get a can of nozzle dip. That makes life much easier.

Don't sit cross legged on the floor in shorts "just making a quick bead"...
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom