Quote:
Originally Posted by MuseChaser
Thanks, all! Very helpful. For what it would cost me to take it to a shop, I'm guessing it wouldn't cost much more to just buy an entry level welder and get my feet wet. I've always wanted to learn, so this is as good a time as any. Plus...I have some spare bicycles lying around I'd like to turn into a recumbent bike....a spare 5hp lawn mower engine....a spare 2-cycle weed trimmer engine.... some old scooters.....and a lot of stupid ideas....  |
Check reviews very carefully before springing for a welder. There are good inexpensive ones and there are cheap ones. They are not the same thing!
Also take a look at your local online market places. Very good units often sell for peanuts because people buy them with all sorts of plans, never use them and just sell them off.
To echo some of what was already said.
Don't cheap out (as per my comments).
Prep is the key. You can not properly weld dirt, paint, oit or rust.
Practice on something you don't care about before ever even considering touching something you do.
PREP!
PREP!
and...
PREP!
Oh and spend a little extra on a self dimming shield/helmet. I tried my grandson's a while back and my god I wish that they had those back when I did a pile of welding. They are excellent.