Portable Welder

[Blevinger]

I recently learned how to weld. All MIG stuff. Some (stop me if I get this wrong) 220, 110, and stick.

Metal work is awesome.

Problem is, I don't have a garage. All I have is my T and a workbench in my apartment.

I'd really like to know if there's any such thing as a portable welder, something that could permanent/semi-permanent installation in the T, and what that might be driven by.

I know some of you mammer-jammers (and off-road heads) have onboard compressed air, so I was hoping someone (maybe said off-road heads) have already figured out the on-board welder situation.

For what it is worth, where I find myself want to do some welding, I'm usually away from power (hence maybe the T, driving something else, as the starship). I don't need a whole crap-ton of power in the welder either.

I can live with small (power and thickness of metals) and ghetto (crappy welds because of underpowered welder) if I have to.

Any suggestions very welcome.

Thanks, I'm sure some of you dudes on here are awesome fabricators.

[Just-in]

most portable welders are generator welder combos. Expensive and diesel.
Miller makes some pretty sweet suitcase stick and Tig welders. I've seen a print for a lincoln or maybe it was a hobart battery powered welder in some magazine but never seen one in person.
Best bet probably is a small crackerbox or a flux core wire feed welder that runs off 110 for something portable. all depends on your budget really.

[Just-in]

heres my dream nothing like loufish setup but it'd suit me well.

all I gots is a montgomery ward stick welder.

[TitanBlue]

Best thing to do, is head down to your local welding supply house, and get the catalogs for Lincoln, Hobart, Miller and see the Compact Style Gas Engine 10,000 Watt Generator/Welders or slightly smaller units. Some are less than 2 or 3K New. Check E bay and Craigs List for one with low hours. Many many people (hobbyist) buy a machine, then rarely use them, and bargains can be found if you know your stuff. Get to know some good welder and glean from their experience in selecting a machine you can use. I'm partial to Lincoln, but only because I learned on Lincoln. All 3 brands are excellent. Avoid bargain basement import models of no known name. You want to be able to maintain the unit for many years, to get parts, and not regret the "bargain" just 2 years later or so. Look up the Lincoln Welding Outback 185, or if you have the money, the Ranger 250 GXT. Learn what each machines advantages are, i.e. Initial Cost, Versatility, Back up Power, Expansion to TIG later...

http://www.qg.com/smartools/ebook/ho...b6e8f7b860ef12 Flip to page 36-37.

Your opportunities are limited if the welder is always going to ride along in the T, but you'll figure out what you like doing. Small repair jobs on trailers and railings can come up once people know you can do them. Don't go welding on your Titan's frame unless you can do a good job, and have a reason to weld on it, not the best thing to weld on for safety reasons. Not much reason to either. Oh, and forget about accepting poor quality welds and undersized machines, cause that ain't welding, that's just rod burning. Go for quality work always. It simply takes time, and practice, and some guidance to learn to weld. Once you know the 5 basics, you can apply them to every process, learn them well and see how they relate. Local Night School at a High School, may offer Adult Education classes that are far less expensive than independent trade schools, and an environment that is more conducive to your needs. A lot can be done with Stick Welding (also called Shielded Metal Arc Welding or SMAW), it is still a very versatile method. A Gas unit like I mentioned above, may serve you very well, and be quite manageable to handle too.

[Toughtitan08]

I like Miller, Lincoln and Thermal Arc and currently own a Thermal Arc Fabricator 251 MIG machine. It is a 300A machine and runs off of 220v. It can weld from 22ga all the way to 5/8" in a single pass. I use .035" solid wire with the 25/75 Argon/CO2 shielding gas. The best welder I have ever used as of yet. I was shopping around for a Miller Millermatic 180 Autoset but came across my machine for $1500 and bought it vs the smaller Miller machine for just $300 more. It has a wide range of settings and costs $2400 new. Mine is just 2.5 yrs old and welds like new. Thermadyne is the parent company for Thermal Arc and I highly suggest them.

https://www.mythermadyne.com/thc/en/...2508false%2508

[TitanBlue]

You might consider a small trailer and mounting Welder and Tool Chest on it so you are not always hauling around extra weight. Security would be a major issue of course. I have a 5x8 3500# Axle Landscape Trailer for household duties, and would love to have a Welder/Generator on it as backup power for my home. But really, I have little "need", just desire, of a welder outside of my normal employment. I could find opportunities if I looked, for side jobs, but would be cautious due to liability/tax reasons. I took welding in High school back in the late 70's, now welding is just one of many tools I use. Definitely one of the most enjoyable though.

[k5goose]

I know a few guys with Ready Welders, not sure of the model numbers, but they are great for trail repairs.

Readywelder.com | There's nothing like it!

[Yahooligan]

Originally Posted by k5goose

I know a few guys with Ready Welders, not sure of the model numbers, but they are great for trail repairs.

Readywelder.com | There's nothing like it!

Made by the company that also produces the Premiere Power Welder.

Premier Power Welder high-frequency on board welders, high-amp alternators, charging systems, Ready Welder, trail, off-road

Unfortunately the applications for that are limited to older vehicles it seems.

You can also DIY - Pirate4x4.Com - Pirates of the Rubicon 4wd Club

[bestatchess]

ghetto option: three car batteries in series = 36Volts, jumper cables and welding rod.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8tHJ0NSjZnM

[k5goose]

The ghetto option, always a good one. This is what I run on my trail rig.

[motorvisions]

GoWeld - Go Anywhere, Weld Anywhere

we have one of these at our shop. had to use it on top of a hospital cooling tower and it worked really well, but cant control the output at all. dont think itd work to well on thinner stuff.
we also have a couple portable tigs that are about the size of a toaster oven(miller and lincoln) and a portable 110 mig.

[Blevinger]

Woah, hell yeah, dudes.

Oh, man the triple car batteries. Have def. seen that an also am very scared of that setup. I dunno, maybe put them in a tool box in case they blow up...

That readywelder looks cool but I don't understand how it works. I'm confused.

The alternator-rigged things are very much what I envisioned in concept. I'm glad some people have figured that out for their trail rigs, and some that run 110v DC power (grinders!), way cool. But yeah, it says call for newer vehicles.

Doing some crazy alternator bypass sounds like a possible warranty void. I no jack sh*t of electrical systems.

That goweld thing is intriguing. Am I to understand you just hook it up to a car battery (just one?) and go to town? How fast does that drain the battery?

Another question for you longtime welders, do people normally have MIG and TIG setups, or do you pretty much choose your path from the first time you start buying gear? Seems like very few people I meet do anything with aluminum.

Titan Blue, your idea about the trailer is a solid one. Security a problem for me though.

[TitanBlue]

MIG vs TIG is based upon need. MIG is much faster and puts far less BTU Heat into the base metal. TIG is needed for fine work, higher quality (though MIG can be just as high) like on more intricate items. Generally thinner metal than what MIG can do. MIG is much easier to master than TIG (TIG is also referred to as Heliarc, a registered tradename).

See if Lincoln still publishes Educational books, and get their Welding Book. It used to be a very large Black Cover, and covered all processes, which would help explain each ones advantage. MIG may need a bottle of shielding gas, or may not, if it is Flux Cored. TIG will need a bottle of shielding gas. It is not something I'd want to bother having in my Titan 24 hours a day if it is really my personal ride, not a work truck. For general steel welding, I'd start with a Stick welder and consider adding on MIG or TIG when the need arises. Some machines are sold with MIG/TIG as options that match up to them well.

Don't go broke over buying as you are just learning. Learn first; and practice or do small projects before over committing to a $6K system for instance. I'm just saying, spend a few weeks or a couple months pondering, before you buy. Consider also, a Gas Generator to run a 120 Volt or 220 Volt Welder. It would give versatility, and allow you to buy a less expensive system overall possibly, as opposed to a Self Powered Welder/Generator as I listed above. Consider, will you be moving in the next couple of years? Storage options may change. Buy a good used unit, that will probably be the biggest savings, as long as it is in real good condition. Oh, and though I haven't been in it for about 23 years now, look up the "American Welding Society". They may have something of interest for you on their website.

You know, once you get a Welder, you'll want or need a Torch Outfit, and a Chop Saw too! It could become addictive.

[Blevinger]

Addictive indeed.

[Just-in]

arc of 3 car batteries looks like one of those cheap harbor freight welders in action.