Help me get the right welding setup please! :)
09-12-2013 | 12:24 AM
#31
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 6
From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
That Eastwood 135 is the same one I am going to get. It was on sale 2 weeks ago for 299, with free shipping. Thats just the welder though, not the cart or lid. If you have the means to build your own cart, or repurpose something else for one, I would just buy the welder alone and get a helmet from HF or some where for $30 or so. That will free up some of your $500.
The Eastwood has infinite amperage settings, while most all other small welders in the class have 4 tapped settings you are stuck with. Works fine for most stuff, but even on setting one can be a bit much on sheet metal. Especially on old, thin sheet metal.
I just replaced my rocker with my Lincoln Weld Pak 100 flux core and it worked ok, worked best to stitch weld. Actually got nice looking welds after I figured that out. I could add gas to this welder for less than $100 but then I am still stuck with the 4 settings and only 100 amps.
Sorry for the book here, but thought you could use some of the things I have found.
The Eastwood has infinite amperage settings, while most all other small welders in the class have 4 tapped settings you are stuck with. Works fine for most stuff, but even on setting one can be a bit much on sheet metal. Especially on old, thin sheet metal.
I just replaced my rocker with my Lincoln Weld Pak 100 flux core and it worked ok, worked best to stitch weld. Actually got nice looking welds after I figured that out. I could add gas to this welder for less than $100 but then I am still stuck with the 4 settings and only 100 amps.
Sorry for the book here, but thought you could use some of the things I have found.
I figure that I'll save the extra cash and weld up my own cart as good practice. I think I'll also have enough left over to get a gas setup (hopefully), because that's what I really want to do.
09-12-2013 | 10:22 PM
#32
Junior Member
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 37
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From: Star Prairie,WI
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I did not take any pics during destruction or repair. I used the little Lincoln I mentioned above. It does work fine for a flux core welder, I just want infinite control so I will sell it and buy the Eastwood when it goes on sale again. It is $339 now with free shipping. Since I do have a welder to use now, I will wait for them to go on sale again and save the $40.
Around here, PraxAir gets like $60 to rent a tank for a year, $100 to buy one outright. $35 for argon, $25 for co2. i forget the size of tank, but its the size one would buy for a smaller welder. I am looking for a used tank on garage sales or auctions so I will have one to trade in and not have to buy one.
Around here, PraxAir gets like $60 to rent a tank for a year, $100 to buy one outright. $35 for argon, $25 for co2. i forget the size of tank, but its the size one would buy for a smaller welder. I am looking for a used tank on garage sales or auctions so I will have one to trade in and not have to buy one.
09-13-2013 | 08:03 AM
#33
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 6
From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I did not take any pics during destruction or repair. I used the little Lincoln I mentioned above. It does work fine for a flux core welder, I just want infinite control so I will sell it and buy the Eastwood when it goes on sale again. It is $339 now with free shipping. Since I do have a welder to use now, I will wait for them to go on sale again and save the $40.
Around here, PraxAir gets like $60 to rent a tank for a year, $100 to buy one outright. $35 for argon, $25 for co2. i forget the size of tank, but its the size one would buy for a smaller welder. I am looking for a used tank on garage sales or auctions so I will have one to trade in and not have to buy one.
Around here, PraxAir gets like $60 to rent a tank for a year, $100 to buy one outright. $35 for argon, $25 for co2. i forget the size of tank, but its the size one would buy for a smaller welder. I am looking for a used tank on garage sales or auctions so I will have one to trade in and not have to buy one.
My entire Jeep project is basically on hold right now until I fix this rust, so I'm going to be picking up this welder pretty soon...probably in the next few weeks. Got a big certification exam at the end of the month so that's kind of priority right now unfortunately...while my xj sits in pieces in my garage
09-13-2013 | 08:36 AM
#34
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,216
Likes: 40
From: west chester, pa
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
Yes u can swap it in anytime. No proof of ownership needed because all bottles under 80 cf is considered bought outright.
Since u are close to me so it's safe to assume the prices should roughly be the same...
A 20 cf fill up will cost 28 bucks, and a 80 fill up cost 47 bucks. A 60 fill up would go for around 40. A 80 tank would cost u around 200 bucks if u bought it.
A 60 tank would probably cost like 120-150
Since u are close to me so it's safe to assume the prices should roughly be the same...
A 20 cf fill up will cost 28 bucks, and a 80 fill up cost 47 bucks. A 60 fill up would go for around 40. A 80 tank would cost u around 200 bucks if u bought it.
A 60 tank would probably cost like 120-150
09-13-2013 | 09:02 AM
#35
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 6
From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Sounds like it is a little more pricey around here than some other places I've seen in my research of the topic. There's a local welding supply right down the street from my work, I'll have to swing by and see what they got.
09-13-2013 | 09:05 AM
#36
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,216
Likes: 40
From: west chester, pa
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
Yeah u can also check Craigslist. There's always people selling tanks for cheap
09-13-2013 | 09:10 AM
#37
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
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From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
http://york.craigslist.org/tls/4059577126.html
09-13-2013 | 12:23 PM
#42
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,169
Likes: 6
From: York, PA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I'm picking it up after work today! 
And I picked up a side gig to train somebody on Wordpress next week, which will pay for it. This Friday the 13th is pretty lucky for me so far!
And I picked up a side gig to train somebody on Wordpress next week, which will pay for it. This Friday the 13th is pretty lucky for me so far!
09-13-2013 | 12:33 PM
#43
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 19,216
Likes: 40
From: west chester, pa
Year: 1999
Engine: 4.0
09-14-2013 | 01:32 PM
#44
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 800
Likes: 3
From: The Dirty 530
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Renix I6
A little late to the thread but I just wanted to say that the Hobart 140
is a nice little workhorse for the cost.
It will weld up to 1/4'' with proper prep, .35 flux core, and a couple passes.
Hell I welded 3/16 plate to my front axle for armor, and my 140 ate it up in single passes like a boss.
In my book that's all I will ever need for Auto-body and general small shop jobs around the house.
Sure Millermatic 240v units are the best, but unless one is consistently turning out fabrication, and shop work as a professional, the cost just cant be justified imo.
So what did OP decide to buy? was it the CL ad? Its taken down.
is a nice little workhorse for the cost.
It will weld up to 1/4'' with proper prep, .35 flux core, and a couple passes.
Hell I welded 3/16 plate to my front axle for armor, and my 140 ate it up in single passes like a boss.
In my book that's all I will ever need for Auto-body and general small shop jobs around the house.
Sure Millermatic 240v units are the best, but unless one is consistently turning out fabrication, and shop work as a professional, the cost just cant be justified imo.
So what did OP decide to buy? was it the CL ad? Its taken down.
09-14-2013 | 01:34 PM
#45
Senior Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 800
Likes: 3
From: The Dirty 530
Year: 1988
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Renix I6