[Tomb Raider]

Well,

Finally broke down and got a welder. It's only a 115v machine....but I think it will do the job just fine for the small things I want to do. It's a Clarke 130. 130amp mig/flux core wire feed welder. I was going to get the lincoln 3200HD pak, but it was 469 plus tax, and no cart, or regulator and such for mig welding. The clarke I found had all the supplies for mig welding, except the bottle. And I got it for a steal.....299 plus tax. I found it at our local farm supply store, Orschilen farm and Home. They list it at 399, but when I went and looked at them....saw that someone else had purchased one on sale at 299 over the holiday season. It was on layaway, with the tag on it. 299 was 100 bucks cheaper than I could find it anywhere else.....so I asked the store mgr if I could get it at the sale price. He was nice enough to give it to me at that price....so I picked up a hi lift jack as well!!

I know, I know...it's not a lincoln, hobart etc.....but, it's my first welder.....and for the money....couldnt beat it. Considering the closest welder with that amperage....was 150 bucks more. I couldn't wait, so I put it together tonight after work....lol.

[n3480h]

Well that makes two of us. Got my 130EN last month. I like it. I found it easy to adjust and use, and I was able to get decent, solid penetration in 3/16" steel using the flux core wire. I don't like a lot of spatter, so I got the gas cylinder and was amazed at how much cleaner the welds are with shielding gas. Remember to change polarity when welding with shielding gas. I found I got better welds by clamping on the part I was welding. I did not have any trouble with the welder overheating or cutting out because of machine heat.

3/16" is about the limit for this welder, but that will cover 95% of what I need. If I need to, I can find a professional to weld the thicker stuff and safety related parts.

Congatulations on your new welder. Practice, practice, practice, and have fun!

Hmmm, looks just like my new Hi Lift, too. You have good taste, lol.

[naviathan]

If you want to weld thicker metal you can use an angle grinder and bevel the two edges then lay several beads between them to fill the space. Works very well when you have a smaller welder. Make sure to clean the beads each time though. Otherwise you end up with air pockets and it weakens the weld.