Thread: $150 budget to get an arc werlder

Hey,
Im new to the forum Im 16 years old and im a woodworking enthusiast I make furniture as a hobby and have done for about 4 years, Im looking at purchasing a welder as i am looking to expand my "DIY" skills i have a budget of around $150. I dont need anything flash just somthing to fiddle aroud on and see if weldng is for me.
Thanks Guy's I will be eagerly awaiting your reply Jack

There is a place in Cheltenham (near Moorabbin airport) called Blitzem Bargains, they sell warranty return gear that has been repaired or returned as not wanted, I have seen Ryobi stick and MIG welders there.
Most of the gear has a 3 month warranty and could cater for your budget, another place closer to home is on Mountain Hwy Bayswater, head down Dorset Rd, turn right onto Mtn Hwy towards the city, over the railway line and up the hill, they are on the right at the lights at the top of the hill, I just don't recall what they are called but they have some cheap gear too.

I have a GMC welder which cost me $99, it works well.
Its a lot better welder than my previous CIG welder.

Thank's for that mate

Il get down their and have a look I was considering the gmc arc welder do you think it would be a worth while purchase?

Wow my Question got answerd as i asked it lol thanks for the input guys,Just ut of curiosity do you know of any websites that give helpfull hints on arc welding as im a complete stranger to welding? thanks

$99, Bunnies have done it again, Blitzem has a lot of Bunnies returns eg Ozito etc.
$51 left over from a newbie would get you some sticks, gloves and probably a shield (mask) then you can start making some fires today and burn some holes in steel (I am an expert at this welding technique, my better jobs look like a flock of ducks were passing overhead )

I have one of those $99 GMC Welders and have given it a good workout over the last couple of months building a couple of table frames, a BBQ, 2 chainsaw mills and a mill rail system. I agree it is better than than the small CIG but like any cheap small welder, don't expect to weld long runs with it.

The GMC has a thermal sensor on the transformer (as do most welders) that in the GMC case cuts out at 91oC (measured with a thermocouple). This for me translates into welding ~ 4.5 rods in a row. Then you have to wait for 10 minutes or so (depending on ambient temp) for it to cool down. It then welds ~2 rods consecutively before cutting out again. The 2 rods 10 minute wait continues thereafter.

For most jobs it is unlikely that you will need to weld continuously like this so it is fine. I find there is usually plenty to do between welds, removing slag, cleaning up joints with the angle grinder, rigging and clamping new pieces etc

At work I found a couple of really big heat sinks and a 120mm 240V computer fan in a back cupboard. I have added the heat sinks to the transformer and still have to wire up the fan. Will be interested to see what difference this makes. Will post result when I have finished the job.

My chicken poop welding recently graduated to turkey after I took some advice from my brother in law. I did take 3 terms of welding/metal work classes about 25 years ago so I know the basic principles but have completely lost all my hand skills in this area compounded by a new problem of shakey hands. I have found it easier and get better results when I cut my rods in half - still a bit of a waste though. Occasionally I get some choice runs and then it's back to turkey poop (big gobbies instead of small ones)

Thanks for reply i was curious about the running times an so on. After reading a a few different threads on the forum, I just got back from bunnings and had a look at the welders and equipment i saw an ozito welder for the same price what do you huys think of it? Just one other thing i was wondering what size and brand electrodes should i buy?
p.s Thanks gys you really know how to make a newbie feel welcome much appreciated

2.5mm rods is the most common size for home handy man stuff. CIG Satincraft would probably be one of the better ones but a bit dearer and WIA are pretty good as well

I kow this will probably sound like a bit of a silly question but are all the rods the same or are there particular rods for particular metals like ferrous non ferrous thank's

I was pointed at WIA's and they were described as 'dickhead' sticks for people like me who can't weld properly, I think they have a bit more flux than some and make it easier to make a run but you will use more rods.
This was conveyed to me by a welder and is not my opinion, I never claim to be a welder.

I've done a lot of welding and yes WIA rods do produce a really nice weld. I lately have been buying BOC rods and they are probably a bit more fiery to use but I can get an exceptional run with them (and great for vertical down welding).

Gags, there are many different classifications for welding rods. 6012, 6013, 4113 or 4112 are good general purpose rods. Then you can get rods for different strength welds, different positions, different metals, but you don't weld non-ferrous metals with a stick welder. This web page shows you some of the different rods from WIA and what they are used for.

lol i like that term how much are the roughly? im going ot to get my welder on wednesday hopfuly and then those ducks will be passing over my head aswell

I really can't recall how much the rods are but when you do get them (shouting mode on) KEEP THE BUGGERS INSIDE AND DON'T LET THEM GET DAMP.
Once damp they are RS and you may as well throw them out, I keep mine in a filing cabinet inside the house amd have had a box (or 2 I think I have now) for about the past 10 years, shows how much welding I do.
Incidentally, used to live in Mooroolbark untiol we bought the spread out here almost 5 years ago.

you can also have a look here, My old man sent me that link hoping I wouldnt waste as many of his rods