Anyone know anything about welding?

[zachosz]

I need some basic information that will help me get started on welding, so if you guys know anything please share your knowledge.

I would want to be able to do some projects for my KA24ET, like making custom endtanks for the intercooler and other small stuff, like piping, EGT probes, piping, etc.

What kind of welding should i look into for aluminum and mild steel, possibly even stainless? What equipment do i need to get started?

I'm just trying to get an idea of which type of welding i should research and buy manuals on, not the actual technique (of course if you want to share that too it's no problem ).

Thanks,

[IowaSilvia_S13]

Hey. I'm a toolmaker for snap-on. I do some welding on many different applications. Whether it be hardened tool stool to stainless to aluminum.

If you are looking to mainly weld up aluminum and stainless steel, your best bet is to buy a good TIG welder. Don't get a cheapy that plugs into 120. But buy a 220. They run more efficient and get the job done. Of course you will need filler rod to go with that also and the tungsten.. The tungsten will have to be ground with a bench grinding wheel. They are ground to a point like this \/ . With a TIG welder you will need a tank of argon gas too. For a good set-up your looking at 1200-2000 bux. not cheap.

Tig welding is also pretty much an art. If you think your just going to jump in and weld right off the bat, u have another thing coming. It takes a lot of time and practice. TIG welding is very strong and clean.

The other application would be wire welding. Which might be the way for you. A little bit easier and maybe a little cheaper. But again buy a 220 welder. The biggest expense is going to be the spools of wire for your application. ie aluminum, stainless, or mild steel.

For books? Just go to amazon.com and look up MIG or TIG welding and see what they have. Be careful also. good luck

[miteymax86]

Wow, just kinda a question I was about to ask. NICO RULES!Oh yeah, how are Hobarts as far as makers? I know Lincoln Electric is where it's at, but man, they're expensive.

[zachosz]

$1000-$1200???? OUCH!

Well, i found this wire welder:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISA...11704

Would that get the job done? Sorry if I sound ignorant or cheap, but the only use i would have for a welder would be to make some custom stuff for my turbo set-up and not pay too much to have it done elsewhere. If it's more expensive to buy the equipment, then forget it... (I know, I'm cheap, but my money doesn't grow on trees)

[mattback]

No.

You want a GOOD Welder that has some DECENT amperage AND high frequency.

Something like a Miller Dynasty or a heavy duty synchrowave.

It has to do AC and DC +- on its tig function.

Wire welding sucks.

go tig dude.

[slw240sx]

flux core is bad!

[slw240sx]

some one post a link to a good welder and price! im goin to buy one next weekend for our garage. ive been tryin to find something good maybe even used,

im goin to go down to hobart n fill out some aplications to the welding school and see if i cant get some financial aid to go there, that place is hella exspensive!

[mattback]

the baddest ***** out there

http://www.millerwelds.com/pro..._200/

the almost as badass but much heavier

http://www.millerwelds.com/pro...0_sd/

the welder we have!!!http://www.millerwelds.com/pro...c_dc/hehehe, it gets the job done for most small stuffs, but aluminum is tough.

[miteymax86]

so, would this be a decent buy then? Single phase, 310amp, tig for like 400? Obviously lacking tanks, but still.

[red240ne]

PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE...

that's all you need to know.

[Tino]

the baddest ***** out there

http://www.millerwelds.com/pro..._200/

the almost as badass but much heavier

http://www.millerwelds.com/pro...0_sd/

the welder we have!!!http://www.millerwelds.com/pro...c_dc/hehehe, it gets the job done for most small stuffs, but aluminum is tough.

Oh man, welding aluminum... need a smoke break like every 3 minutes.:oblivion:

[erich]

I bought a Miller EconoTIG for all my welding on my KA-T. I had a crappy MIG welder, couldn't even weld 1/8 mild steel, forget about aluminium. My only complaint about the EconoTIG is its' minimum current is about 25 amps or so. Makes welding thin stainless a bit dodgy.For some general welding info check out this link: http://www.machinist.org/army_welding/ There is lost of info there.

[stickgoat]

I know about JB Weld.