what welder to buy

[djembecarver]

Hello.
I want to weld 1/4" round steel bar end to end to make rings which will range from 8" - 14" in diameter. I will be doing the welding from my home which has regular 110 volts. What welder do i need to buy? How many amps do i need to have to weld the 1/4" steel. Will i need to do anything with my home voltage. I am basically a beginner but am very good with my hands and will learn fast. I would love to get some sound advice and guidance here. Also i do not have a lot of money to spend, so i am looking for something pretty reasonable. How much can i expect to spend for a welder to do what i want.

 

[oilcooled :)]

If that's all your doing I'd buy a little mma inverter 140 amp would be fine and I would get tig leads with a manual gas valve, would b cheap and cheerfull and neater than Mig,you could use the inverter in mma either be cheaper but more skilled and more polishing of the weld.

 

[djembecarver]

Thanks for the reply. I will look into that kind of machine and see if i might be interested. Are there any suggestions for a mig welder. i somehow have my mind on a mig. Probably want to stay away from gas at this time. A flux core wire feed is what i have been researching the most.

 

[Jim Davey]

Thermal Arc Mig211, good dealer network and service backup and a 3 year warranty stateside too. Does mig and stick and will
Run off your 110 just fine. I've sold a few to mobile gate welder guys and they've been very happy with them.

 

[djembecarver]

Thanks for the replies, I checked out the two machines mentioned here. Since i was focusing on mig welding the second choice would have been good, but is really out of my price range. I am wondering if there is a welder to suit my budget of maximum $400.00. I just want to make metal rings for drums from 1/4" steel. The weld does not have to look the prettiest because the weld will be filed down and covered, however, they do have to withstand pressure from the tension of the drum head without breaking.

 

[Jim Davey]

Longevity or Everlast are available over there, check them out. That chuckE2000 guy on YouTube seems to like Longevity and Jody Collier says good things about Everlast, I'd check them out.

 

[chevy2]

I'm no expert on American power supplies but i gather from reading elsewhere that your domestic 110 volt outlets struggle to support welding machines over about 150 amps?