My thought is that one needs to do a lot of research before looking around at what‘s available in the marketplace. The research needs to include not only the quality of welding machines and their respective prices but also which tool is going to work best for what your fabrication/repair plans might be. As an example, I wanted to get into making architectural fittings (Arts & Crafts style and other period-specific lighting, range hoods, clocks, etc); goods which by their nature incorporated a lot of copper (sheet and plate) and which required both fine and rough work. Through my research I found that the only tool which covered my needs was a TIG, and that while a TIG was already an expensive machine in itself, that one would be miles ahead if the purchase was made through a local welding supplier. Sure, the cost was higher at the welding shop than it was online, but the purchase formed a relationship with the vendor, leading to years of reduced prices on consumables, free advice, and access to the shop for local repairs/service performed by factory-trained technicians.
Those benefits are well worth the price, especially when spread out over a number of years. I bought a welder from Lowe’s once and every time I needed a repair the service was dismal and sub-par. I swear, I never had the same Tool Department Associate twice, and am unsure that they had any formal training in welder repair at all. One time I had an Associate look at a frayed cord, and when I picked up the machine I discovered that the girl had fixed the problem by way of applying a number of pop rivets. In the girl’s defense I have to say that the formerly frayed 220v cord never did separate from its mate, although the sparking issue remained.
As far as learning TIG welding technique and skills, I relied on my reading, professional advice, and a lot of practice. I became a very good welder in a relatively short period of time, something I credit to the fact that I am verre smrt. Unfortunately, about ten years after working with a TIG I developed an unrelated medical condition and was fitted with a Nerve Stimulator implant. The implant, (similar to a pacemaker) is full of electronic parts and the manufacturer stated that the EF generated by a TIG could damage the works.
So goodbye TIG...
On helmets: I recently purchased a low-cost Lincoln 110v MIG. To make a matched set I bought a low-cost HF auto-darkening helmet which had very high ratings, although it was the cool “flame” decals which sealed the deal as far as I was concerned. In spite of being the envy of my plain-helmeted friends I discovered that the HF lens, regardless of settings, was too dark to allow a view of the low-voltage puddle (I later saw reviews stating that the same helmet “was not useable for TIG”, by which I assume the users meant the lens wasn’t sufficiently dark or perhaps was too slow to trigger). I returned the helmet AND the 110v welder, replacing those with a Lincoln helmet and a 220v welder. Does the combination solve the earlier problem I had? I don’t know, because I have been too busy writing this to have a chance to try it out.
Don‘t be afraid to go old-school and at least try out a non-auto helmet. I used one of those for years with my TIG and had no problem with it once I learned the proper technique for dropping the mask microseconds before striking the arc. Was this professional “flip” as cool looking to the observer as the sweeping red flames of the HF helmet? Sadly I can’t offer an opinion because neither lens was bright enough to to allow a view of the mirror.
PS: The Primary Rule- never be too proud to buy used!!!
Those benefits are well worth the price, especially when spread out over a number of years. I bought a welder from Lowe’s once and every time I needed a repair the service was dismal and sub-par. I swear, I never had the same Tool Department Associate twice, and am unsure that they had any formal training in welder repair at all. One time I had an Associate look at a frayed cord, and when I picked up the machine I discovered that the girl had fixed the problem by way of applying a number of pop rivets. In the girl’s defense I have to say that the formerly frayed 220v cord never did separate from its mate, although the sparking issue remained.
As far as learning TIG welding technique and skills, I relied on my reading, professional advice, and a lot of practice. I became a very good welder in a relatively short period of time, something I credit to the fact that I am verre smrt. Unfortunately, about ten years after working with a TIG I developed an unrelated medical condition and was fitted with a Nerve Stimulator implant. The implant, (similar to a pacemaker) is full of electronic parts and the manufacturer stated that the EF generated by a TIG could damage the works.
So goodbye TIG...
On helmets: I recently purchased a low-cost Lincoln 110v MIG. To make a matched set I bought a low-cost HF auto-darkening helmet which had very high ratings, although it was the cool “flame” decals which sealed the deal as far as I was concerned. In spite of being the envy of my plain-helmeted friends I discovered that the HF lens, regardless of settings, was too dark to allow a view of the low-voltage puddle (I later saw reviews stating that the same helmet “was not useable for TIG”, by which I assume the users meant the lens wasn’t sufficiently dark or perhaps was too slow to trigger). I returned the helmet AND the 110v welder, replacing those with a Lincoln helmet and a 220v welder. Does the combination solve the earlier problem I had? I don’t know, because I have been too busy writing this to have a chance to try it out.
Don‘t be afraid to go old-school and at least try out a non-auto helmet. I used one of those for years with my TIG and had no problem with it once I learned the proper technique for dropping the mask microseconds before striking the arc. Was this professional “flip” as cool looking to the observer as the sweeping red flames of the HF helmet? Sadly I can’t offer an opinion because neither lens was bright enough to to allow a view of the mirror.
PS: The Primary Rule- never be too proud to buy used!!!