Morning PHM!
I'm a newbie that's very keen on getting started with metal fabrication as a hobby. Found the website/forum a few days ago when I was trying to get info on welding machines that I saw in different stores during my literal "window-shopping". Been going over the various threads and I've been hooked. Super nice forum with lots of good insights on the "would-be" hobby.
A little background on myself: Im from Davao City and I work as a creative director/senior animator for an offshore company. I also used to do lighted flex signages on the side before. Currently, I've been wanting to go back to doing things manually and building stuff (i'm a self proclaimed DIY-er for things in and around the house) and the wife is very supportive of this "mid-life crisis/ caveman" urge of getting my hands dirty and gnarly.
Anyhows, I wanted to learn welding (I used to just have someone else weld my signage frames) but I was thinking of doing bicycle frames (hacks and build-from-scratch projects) and then some general stuff and fixtures around the house (in short: I'm ambitious, hehehe).
I saw a Hitronic DC TIG/ARc for 16,200, a PowerCraft DC TIG/ARC for 14,300 (both models are 200amp) and a shinsetsu 140 (@10,500). Any feedback or suggestion as to which model will be a good investment? I have ZERO welding skills, 10% experience with cutting steel and 100% heart to learn. Any feedback will be greatly appreciated mga Sirs/madams. Also, I'm not sure if I have overlooked any rules for posting new threads, so pasensya in advance.
Cheers!
Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
Hello indiorebel,
First of all, welcome to the PHM Forum :shake:
Yes learning the skills on how to weld metals has become very beneficial to any individual, it does a lot of good and advantages specially for diy guys who love to do metalworking by himself or wanted to create somethings out of metals. Very handy as well in and around the house for repairs and whatever.
Anyway the first 2 brands you mentioned are good investment wise, some of us here own one or the other with great satisfactory results. With regards to the third brand, I am not familiar with it though they are all China made welders. The DC Arc/Tig for a welder will be very useful for your intentions, it will be able to weld thick or thin surfaced metals. But owning a machine does not end there, you'll have to spend more for a welding helmet, good welding gloves, welding shirts or jacket, pair of good steel toe boots, eye shield, clamps and vises, one or two angle grinders etc etc. THEN..........lots and lots of welding practice in using the Stick process same as with the Tig process.
Cheers and Good Luck to you !!
A little OT here !!
You can re-copy the second paragraph of your post sa MEMBER INTRODUCTIONS so other members can welcome you as well.
THANKS !! rosy
CIGWELD Weldskill 250 amp Mig Welder
AHP Alpha-TIG 200X welder
HITRONIC 300 Amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
YAMATO 300 amp AC Stick Welder
YAMATO 200 amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
DeWALT Chopsaw
HOBART and ESAB Welding Helmets
cloned STIHLs
MS 044 chainsaw
MS 070 chainsaw
Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
Hi Sir Rosy. Thanks for the warm welcome. Im leaning on getting the powercraft machine. Im thinking of getting the machine and an angle grinder then the basic safety gears just to get started. The price difference between the powercraft and hitronic can be used to buy scrap metal for practice. Target is by next month if budget permits. I'll be spending a lot of time backreading the threads here and try to psych myself up until I get the equipment. Thanks for the feedback sir, much appreciated 🙂
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Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
Hey bro,
Whatever you choose for a welder that will make you happy and perhaps
save you some money for other purchases, then that is good.
GOOD LUCK on your new future hobby !! ;):D
CIGWELD Weldskill 250 amp Mig Welder
AHP Alpha-TIG 200X welder
HITRONIC 300 Amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
YAMATO 300 amp AC Stick Welder
YAMATO 200 amp DC Inverter IGBT Welder
DeWALT Chopsaw
HOBART and ESAB Welding Helmets
cloned STIHLs
MS 044 chainsaw
MS 070 chainsaw
Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
Bench vise brader..isama mo sa listahan ng must have tools mo..nang nagsisimula ako mag ipon ng gamit pangatlo yan na una kong binili.
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Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
Thanks boss! Hahaha, im taking down notes and might go checkout prices ngayong weekend. Para makasubmit ng estimate kay misis
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Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
Level 1
- welder
- PPE (ADH, gloves, balaclava, full-body clothing, etc.)
- a reasonably-flat concrete floor
- welding magnets, C-clamps, F-clamps
- square
- round and bastard files
- metal hacksaw
- angle grinder
- drill
- bench or post vise
Level 2
- drill press
- chop saw
- bench grinder
Level 3
- straight die grinder
- press brake
- pipe bender
Level 4
- forge
- anvil
- tongs, hammers, drifts
Level 5
- Scots brogue
- Dwarvish facial hair
- One of the Seven Rings, preferably Durin III's
- the Arkenstone
- Snow White for a shop-babe
Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
Hahaha! Nice list Sir Horge. Will keep the first three categories/levels and work on those...
but with this:
Level 4 >>>[COLOR="DarkOrange"] uhmmm, I got hammers already, but a Im afraid that if I complete this levell, I might be tempted to throw in my neighbor in the furnace, hehehe
- forge
- anvil
- tongs, hammers, drifts
Level 5 >>> [COLOR="rgb(255, 140, 0)"]I'll put this on my "ultimate level listing". but hey, I actually have Snow white already, so that's one off this list 🙂
- Scots brogue
- Dwarvish facial hair
- One of the Seven Rings, preferably Durin III's
- the Arkenstone
- Snow White for a shop-babe
Thanks for the inputs Sir
Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
yung last item sa level 5 ang gusto ko makuha...:rolleyes:
isali mo na rin sa purchase mo sir ang first aid kit for your "shop". para sa accidental welding spatters, cuts, etc. while working with metals....kahit na naka-PPE e may nakakalusot pa rin kung minsan. maliliit lang na injury pero uncomfortable to work properly.
check mo rin sa website ni brader coolmaxheric for your estimate.
Level 5
- Scots brogue
- Dwarvish facial hair
- One of the Seven Rings, preferably Durin III's
- the Arkenstone
- Snow White for a shop-babe>>>>>>>>>
This is the ultimate list for a metal diy'er .
Brings a good laugh 🙂
Good one sir 😉
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Re: Newbie needs advice on must-have tools
yung last item sa level 5 ang gusto ko makuha...:rolleyes:
isali mo na rin sa purchase mo sir ang first aid kit for your "shop". para sa accidental welding spatters, cuts, etc. while working with metals....kahit na naka-PPE e may nakakalusot pa rin kung minsan. maliliit lang na injury pero uncomfortable to work properly.
check mo rin sa website ni brader coolmaxheric for your estimate.
Yes sir, must-have rin talaga yan. I have a few first-aid kits located strategically around the house, will relocate one sa work area once I get to start setting up. Wouldn't want the wife to cut off my arm for a finger cut with the "I-Warned-you" look, lol
