New to welding

[MItragorz]

Hey guys. I'm a total newbie when it comes to welding. I've never done it before, but I'm interested in getting into it. Nothing major, the reason I want to start is because I've found a project for myself: a stand for my motorcycle. Something like this:

http://www.yzf600r.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=26950

So, what would be a good welder to start off with? I'm trying to keep it as cheap as possible, because I don't have a big budget to work with. Remember, I'm not familiar with all the welding jargon yet , so if you could throw out some links that have some good examples, or explain the differences between them, it would help out a lot. I've seen things like this on eBay,

http://cgi.ebay.com/New-100-Amp-Arc-...QQcmdZViewItem

It seems kind of cheap... Would something like this be alright for my task?

[zapster]

decisions decisions...

so your new at it..ahhhh we all have to start somewhere

i started with a 100 amp stick welder way back in the early '70's..

for what you want to make a cheapo stick welder should be just fine..

get the welder..some 6011 rods (3/32-1/8 dia.)
some scrap metal and experiment away..

make sure where the ground clamp goes is relativly clean....
and have at it...

you will find out why they call it "stick" welding
but dont get all frustrated when you dont get results "right off the bat"
time and patience my friend and before you know it you'll be looking for a gas mig machine to play with...
then the tig machine...

...zap!

[MAC702]

Originally Posted by MItragorz

So, what would be a good welder to start off with? I'm trying to keep it as cheap as possible, ...

That says AC Stick welder. Get DC if you can, though. These machines can be found most anywhere locally, used, for very little money.

[MAC702]

Be careful with those really small, cheap Stick machines, though. Sometimes they are only rated for use with one uncommon size of one type of electrode. I've seen some like that that say for use only with 5/64" 6013 electrodes, for example.

I can understand that a budget is a budget, but it just seems like $25 wasted (plus shipping) and $25 further away from saving for a real welder.

[LuzRD]

what kind of budget are you working with?
are you including all the other necesary (and helpfull) items like a good hood, gloves, clamps, fire extinguisher, grinder, cutting tools etc...

do you plan on advancing beyond your initial low budget machine? (keep in mind its addictive, and as ZAP said your gonna want to advance to different processes).
i ask this because even if you have no plans to advance, once you get started you will find all sorts of projects, and you will find yourself saying things like "well i can fix/build that, i have a welder!". and you will outgrow your low budget machine rather quickly, especially if its 110v.

if youd simply like to try welding to see if you like it, id suggest getting the best you can afford right now. if you could tell us your overall budget it would be very helpfull.
ive never tried a $25 arc welder from ebay, maybe it works great. id be skeptical myself though, and it may be such poor quality that it turns you away from an otherwise enjoyable and helpfull hobby.

that motorcycle stand looks like a great first project.
read all you can here WHILE your practicing on some scrap, and ask questions.

also when you tell us your budget let us know if you have access to 220v, or only 110. if you can swing a little more and have 220, its well worth it.

welcome to weldingweb = }

[WillieB]

while out of town on vacation, i needed to do some welding so I bought a cheap, 110 volt, A/C stick welder at a nearby Northern Tool store. It works fine but, as MAC702 says, you're not going to light up a 1/8 rod or get any serious penetration on thick stock. I still use the little buzz box occasionally when I don't have 220 volts available.

[MItragorz]

Thanks for all the input! My budget as of now is $100, MAYBE $200... I know that probably won't get me much at all, but it's the best I can do with what I've got. I'm not looking to buy until around late August or so, so I've got plenty of time to research, build a bigger budget, and whatnot.

I'll only have access to 110v, but if the whole welding thing hooks me, and if I can swing it, i may install a 220v outlet in my garage (easy task? I researched this online, doesn't look TOO difficult...).

I don't plan on getting much bigger with the welding. The biggest thing I'll attack is probably going to be a trailer to cart around ATVs and Motorcycles. But when I start that all depends on how quickly I can consistently make decent welds.

Thanks again, you've been a great help.

[Rick Moran]

You won't be building any trailers with a 110v welder. You would be better off investing in a 220v unit

[welder.man]

MItragorz have you checked out the thread on motorcycle lifts, I posted two lifts I made one was for a YZF.

YZF
http://www.weldingweb.com/attachment...6&d=1143790736

CBR
http://www.weldingweb.com/attachment...5&d=1143790689

Motorcycle lift
http://www.weldingweb.com/showthread.php?t=1851


Simon
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~abba/index.html