Help selecting a welder and jig

[LonesomeTriZ]

I have been out of the game so long; I do not know what is out there. This is what I want, something that can modify cast iron steering knuckles and repair ATV frames. I would prefer getting a new mig, but I do not know if there are any that can weld on cast iron. I know you get what you pay for, but I am not looking for the highest price machine out there. Something from Harbor fright would be nice. I will use it for welding truck frames, building suspension components, building ATV/motor cycle frames, and a myriad of other stuff. I currently have a little Craftsmen mig that I believe Lincoln built. It has done great so far, but I do not think it is big enough for the big stuff I plan to build when I return home. Shoot me some ideas and please keep it simple.

Oh yeah, the jig. I know I can build one from metal table, but I am just wondering if there is something else out there.

[Billy Golightly]

The truck stuff and anything motorcycle/atv frame related are 2 completely different types of work. For the truck stuff you'll want a high amperage MIG setup that can lay down the materal to thick and heavy work pieces.

You'll want a tig for the thin tubing that will be making up framework. You'll get a high quality weld. With mig on the thin stuff its pretty hard to get the material to melt in flat with good penetration and not just lay on top. If you do heat it up enough, then you burn a hole in it as you keep working because you don't have on the fly heat control like you do with tig. You *CAN* use MIG on frame work as thats how al the OEM frames are made, but theres almost no penetration into the actual joints and they look like dung too.


The fixtures just have to be made from scratch. Your going to need a lot more then just a welding table to do it on. Your going to need at the bare minimum a lathe to turn bushings and adapters for pieces to be bolted to hold in place while its being welded, angle and degree finders. A mill with holesaws for notching the joints makes things a lot better too...

[LonesomeTriZ]

I was planning on getting a laith and a mill. But I was saving those questions for after I get the tools on my current list. I see what you are saying, but I have never use a tig before. How easy are they to pick up? ALso, is there a large mig and tig combination?

[LonesomeTriZ]

By the way, this is my current tool list. I WILL have this list satisfied before I go home.

Tool List

1. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Bandsaw
ITEM 93762-5VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93762

2. 20 Ton H-Frame Shop Press
ITEM 97022-1VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97022

3. 34" Radial Floor Drill Press
ITEM 44846-8VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44846

4. Self-Centering Drill Press
ITEM 92046-9VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92046

5. Heavy Duty Combination Belt/Disc Sander
ITEM 40643-7VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40643

[Dirtcrasher]

Just being honest - I'd buy as little as possible from Harbor Freight...

If you want to save money, you can look into ENCO, Grizzly, JET or WT tool.

You can also look to a mill/drill lathe combo but they are limited at best.

I really stand by old iron. Finding older equipment that needs some restoration can be allot of work and time but in the end you'll have a solid machine that doesn't fail often!

There is NOTHING more frustrating then spending hundreds of dollars on a machine that is sloppy, inaccurate and prone to failure. The use diecast zinc metal on the cheap stuff and it cannot be repaired. Those machines are half metric and half standard, there really just cobled together and good for wood!

I bought a near new table top mill for 700$. It wouldn't hold a thousandth of an inch, the whole head would move on tough cuts - just USELESS!! I used it 10 times and sold it for what I paid for it. Then I got a Bridgeport......

I know you can't spend 1500$ on every piece of equipment, but just be careful what you buy. Harbor Freight drill press and Hyd press would be just fine though. Except I bent the snot out of mine after 3 uses and had to change out the hollow rods to solid and gusset the sleeves.......

I plan on ditching my Mig and Arc and getting a 3000$ TIG that does everything. A TIG is the only welder that can repair cast iron well. There are other methods but I don't care for them.......

[ProCarbine2k1]

TIG? Not easy to pick up. Nothing you can't do with practice. I understand what Billy is saying though- some frames I have TIG'ed some I don't.
You will definitely want a 220v unit, and like DC said, I would buy an older piece of equipment, and stay away from Harbor Freight welders. Make sure you know your own needs, if you are going to be welding a lot, look at the DUTY CYCLE.
I stand by MIG welding, because I'm very confident in my work with them, but I've worked with them A LOT (structural, frames, forms, HEAVY plate, you name it). 99% of guys that I have worked with say that they can MIG weld, and although they can lay a bead- I feel that a GOOD MIG welder is far and few inbetween.


Check out the older Miller 200 series MIG welders, local stuff on Craigslist. They are out there, sometimes you just have to wait for the right deal- and it does pay off. Sometimes a guy just wants a unit out of his way because he bought new, and you get extra stuff- tanks especially.

If you are on a tight budget, Clarke makes a nice looking (I haven't used one)
220v unit, I think its called a 180en. Chinese made, but they seem to stand by there products- and they are even using Tweco guns now.

Also, you CAN repair cast with MIG- and although you may not normally have the penetration as TIG or stick can, it can be done with controlled heat (acetylene, chemolene- but that is extra cost if you don't already have that stuff). Hope I helped!

[Billy Golightly]

Some stuff from Harbor Freight is OK...but a lot of it isn't.


Lots of companies make combination machines. Less then 5 minutes on the Lincoln, and Miller websites netted these:

http://millerwelds.com/products/multiprocess/xmt_304_cc_cv/ $3900


http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.aspx?p=5383 $3600


A welder really is one thing you CANNOT skimp on. If you dont want a brand new unit, you can shop around and find and find older machines that work perfectly fine, but just dont have the shiny paint job. My dial arc I do all my TIG welding with is older then me, but it definitely gets the job done.


TIG is harder to master then MIG, but its well worth it in my opinion.

[LonesomeTriZ]

I would love to get older machines and fix them up. But when I get home time is an issue and I HAVE to get some stuff done quickly. So that is why I selected the tools on that list. When I get settled in I would love to buy an old laith and fix it up.

I agree that I do not want to skimp on a welder. I have seen name brand stuff at harbor frieght, that is why I brought it up. Plus, there is one near me and I like to see my tools in person before I buy them.

I was hoping to stay around $2500 for a good machine. The two in the links are very nice, but I cannot go that high.

[firehart]

I have 110 volt Harbor Freight wire feed welder but I've never used it. I get stuff from Harbor Freight because my son is a manager for them. If it breaks, I get a new one. I know it a hassle for some people and the quality is not always there. If I was working with tools for a living, I'd buy better quality.

[LonesomeTriZ]

It looks like I am leaning towards a Millermatic.

I am not buying big money tools any more. They break just like the cheap ones and a lot of companies are starting to be pricks over the warrenties. So the hell with it.

[Name Brand]

There is about a 95% chance this will be my next welder... http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_211_autoset/
I wanted the ability to do steel and aluminum, I also like that i can use it anywhere with 110 or 220 power. It's rated for up to 3/8 inch steel; that's more than enough even on my truck projects.

May I also suggest this, which is also on my list;
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/plasma/spectrum_375/
Same reasons as above...

JET has a reputation for making good stuff but I think their quality is slipping. Work got a horizontal bandsaw. The main body had a big (almost 1/8inch) gap in the main casting near the hinge. It cracked all the way through the first day it was used. We were really only testing it. How does an 1/8inch gap get through the assembly line and quality control?

[LonesomeTriZ]

Those are nice. Some day I hope to get a plasma cutter has well. The Millermatics is what I am looking at. I plan to check them out when I go home on R&R.

[LonesomeTriZ]

Revised list. I had to compromise on the quality of the tools becuase I could not spend $30,000 on them. But, I have learned even cheap tools will last if you take care of them. Now, a welder, laith, and mill I am willing to spend what ever it takes to get quality.


Tool List
1. Horizontal/Vertical Metal Cutting Bandsaw $249.99
ITEM 93762-5VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=93762

1. 20 Ton H-Frame Shop Press $199.99
ITEM 97022-1VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=97022

2. 34" Radial Floor Drill Press $219.99
ITEM 44846-8VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=44846

3. Self-Centering Drill Press $7.99
ITEM 92046-9VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=92046

4. Heavy Duty Combination Belt/Disc Sander $299.99
ITEM 40643-7VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40643

5. 22" Rim-Clamp Tire Changer $1764.99
ITEM 98173-1VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=98173

6. 1100 Lb. High Lift Wheel Trolly (Times two) $399.99 X 2
ITEM 65529-1vga
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=65529

7. 1200 Lb. Capacity Air Motorcycle Lift $499.99
ITEM 94813-0VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94813

8. Motorcycle Lift Extension Wings $199.99
ITEM 94830-5VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94830

9. 18 Lb. Vibratory Bowl with Liquid Drain Hose $169.99
ITEM 96923-3VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96923

10. Industrial Blast Cabinet With 3 Doors $799.99
ITEM 94274-3VGA
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94274

Total $5032.88 Plus tax



Having all these tools was a goal I set when I came over here. I am sick of not have what I need to do a job right.

[ProCarbine2k1]

I really like that cabinet! I forgot to mention, that Miller and Lincoln both make excellent products- you will hear guys argue which is better, but in my opinion it is just the same as a Chevy vs. Ford debate.
HOWEVER, in my opinion- Miller's customer service is FAR better than Lincoln's. The shop I was at was always back and forth with Lincoln about part unavailability, etc. Sometimes we would need to order a part, only to find out that we had to place a minumum order, minimum number of parts, etc.
Seems like you are on the right track!

[Dirtcrasher]

I have numerous Harbor Freight tools and I try to pick things that will do the job and don't have to be as great quality.

I have had a terrible time getting parts from them, and I'm not talking parts I broke. The plastic throw away screens for that sandblaster that protect the glass took over 5 months to come in....

Fortunately Deepa gave me his, but I went a couple months of not being able to use the blaster. It took 6 weeks to get the 4pc replacement ceramic nozzles from them too....

[Bryan Raffa]

Im working on the neighbors welder.. he JUST gave me THIS! with brazing rods, two full ACT. tanks , full Ox tank, 2 brand new goggles .. whats that worth..crap...lucky sometimes, really what all this worth?

[LonesomeTriZ]

I plan to dig around on ebay and so on to see if I can get bigher quality for the same prices. What ever tools I do not locate by the time I return home I will just get from Harbour Fright. I was thinking about biulding a blast cabinet. I saw some one on here biult one from an old freezer.

[Bryan Raffa]

when you comeing home?

[LonesomeTriZ]

I hope with in a year.

[LonesomeTriZ]

Wait, did you mean on R&R or for good?

[Bryan Raffa]

both?:beer

[LonesomeTriZ]

I hope to come home on R&R in a few months. I have no idea when I will be home for good.

[ditchmud]

Im working on the neighbors welder.. he JUST gave me THIS! with brazing rods, two full ACT. tanks , full Ox tank, 2 brand new goggles .. whats that worth..crap...lucky sometimes, really what all this worth?

When you need to use it....Priceless:D Nice score
I haven't done much brazing I prefer a mig welder. That torch will come in handy getting some of those frozen nut's and bolts apart.

[LonesomeTriZ]

I should really be looking for a torch as well.