Ques for professional welders (or welding engineers)

[Zeke]

I'm thinking of moving up to the big time (sort of). I can get a used Miller XMT 304 or the Lincoln equivalent Invertec 350 for around $1400 bare. I'd have to outfit it with leads, gas, etc. The possibilities are endless with one of these inverters; all processes.

They look portable enough (88-90 lbs) to take along to a job and they work on several power supplies, selecting the appropriate settings internally. However, I don't see ever encountering a situation where 3-phase will be available, so 220 single phase is going to be the norm.

These machines are very compact unlike any engine driven units, but I will always have the hassle of finding a big enough 220 circuit. The usual clothes dryer circuit will work if the welding work doesn't demand a lot of current. So, no bridge building in your driveway or mine.

New, these things cost over 3500 new, depending. But some say to buy separate machines, like a MIG for most work and a SMAW/GTAW machine for stick and TIG. I'm planning on light duty repair and fabrication. Sort of the handyman version of the mobile welder.

As the economy goes further down the toilet, deals are popping up everywhere on all kinds of machines. For instance, there's a complete AC/DC stick/TIG with all the trimmings including a huge, full bottle of gas FS locally for 1400 and I'll bet it goes for 1200. However, I'd still need a decent MIG outfit and for the grand that will cost, I could buy every accessory for the XMT.

Decisions, decisions.

Of course I will listen to and appreciate any advice.

[kconway]

Great idea! I have just the project to break it in on.

Kevin

[YTNUKLR]

If you have work, go for it.

If not, hold onto your money tightly, it's going to get much worse.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by YTNUKLR

If you have work, go for it.

If not, hold onto your money tightly, it's going to get much worse.

Oh yeah, no doubt. That's why a guerrilla operation might be a modest success. First of all, repairs are going to be more important than replacement. Think of shoes. The shoe repair guy WILL survive the coming times. Portable welding is EXPENSIVE.

6 or 7 years ago I had only enough welding experience to barely get things to stick and I needed to weld a steering bracket on my '44 Jeep. I could gas weld, but this was 3/8ths plate. I called some welders out of the phone book and no one was interested even at the 2 hour minimum @ 145/hr. I thought I needed a pro for such a critical job. Well, as I said, no one would show up.

So I went out and bought a used AC stick welder. You know, the ones they call a "buzz box." The weld turned out pretty good. Shoot, I still use the thing and a bit better these days. They still sell these at Home Depot, etc. I paid 50 bucks for it.

But, technology has passed these Neanderthal units by and besides, it weighs a ton. I can hardly move it around. I believe there is a way to convert these into spot welders, so I'm hanging on to it.

I'm betting I can make a livable amount of money helping people with repairs. I know this, no one seems to need a carpenter these days. I've all but quit that schit entirely. For every nail that wants to be driven there's 10 guys looking for any wage they can get. I'm not working for $15/hr. after 38 years of becoming a master carpenter. I'm not even interested enough any more to care.

Now, back to what welder(s) to buy. ....Scott.

[Zeke]

Just a bit more: yes, I know welders are a dime a dozen just like carpenters. But I'm not having fun as a wood butcher any more. Welding is creative, just like carpentry and uses a lot of the layout skills. Sometimes you have to relight the candle. And, I like quick turnover of jobs. That's why I was happy with the window replacement business. Far below my skills, but a house or 2 a week is a nice fast moving business.

I need to be on the move and always have. I don't care about the money as long as I'm being treated fair.

[David]

Why not gas powered?

Since you mentioned it, are there any welding engineers here? It's my understanding that the only school in the US that graduates welding engineers is Ohio State. I'm asking because we'd like to hire one to replace the one we're losing.

BTW, welders aren't a dime a dozen. People that think they're welders are a dime a dozen.

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

BTW, welders aren't a dime a dozen. People that think they're welders are a dime a dozen.

I love it!

Yes, it takes one kind to hold the stick but really another kind to understand the setup.

I don't know a thing about where one would best acquire an education as a WE. But, other that the credential itself, it seems to me that anyone interested enough in the actual studies of welding processes could be well on his way. Man, there's a ton to know.

I've always felt that anyone who admits to the fact that there is more to know than what to do is one to consider.

[TimT]

I am a Professional Engineer, Civil, and also hold certification from American Welding Society as SCWI (senior welding inspector), along with NACE and SSPC tickets..

My day job is maintaining the massive suspension bridges that connect Manhattan Island, Long Island, Staten Island to the rest of the US.

While the powerpack you are choosing is small compared to what I usually see, I think you are really limiting yourself just being a welder.. Package all your skills so you can travel.. We have seen you bodywork, and mechanical, as well as amazing carpentry.. bring it all... not just one narrow slice of your talents..

I do design and consulting as well as fabrication with for my friends business.... This is all on a barter agreement. Ill cut bend and weld tubing and I get zero dollars.. what I do get is lift time and use of tools that I don't own i.e. dyno, alignment rack etc.

I think now is a time to sell all your skills.


one of our cages

http://www.rudtnersracing.com/fabrication.php

[mjohnson]

Originally Posted by 125shifter

Since you mentioned it, are there any welding engineers here? It's my understanding that the only school in the US that graduates welding engineers is Ohio State. I'm asking because we'd like to hire one to replace the one we're losing.

Check with the American Welding Society.

Maybe not "welding" engineers, but a few schools kick out some pretty competent metallurgists/metallurgical engineers. A good fraction of those critters specialize in welding. See Colorado Mines, Carnegie Mellon, Michigan Tech and so on...

I'm a metallurgist, but welding's not my kink. They're a rough crowd...

[David]

We probably will hire a metallurgist for the position because that's who had done the job admirably until 9 years ago. Then a supervisor went to Ohio State and hired a welding engineer. Maybe it was the individual who made the difference, but either way he brought significant expertise to our welding dept.

[billyboy]

I do on call work for a dredging company, boat operator. They have an excellent, LA certified welder who works for about $20/hour with lots of OT. They get away with not paying him much because he has no paples.There are many who have the same skills from the same land to the south of us.

[BGCarrera32]

I can't offer much, but I will say that if portability is your deal and you'll travel from job to job, I'd get the largest most versatile machine you can mount into the back of your pickup truck and a generator large enough to run it. Otherwise, you'll never be able to plan on having power where and when you need it.

[MT930]

My welding hobby got out of hand a few years ago.(Most of my hobbys do) I found a few people who needed things done. Mostly MIG and Plasma stuff. At the same time I had a tenant that was having money trouble and I bought a Miller Trailblazer 302 Engine driven welder with 380 hours from him. It is unbelievable it will run every thing I have 10,000 KV MIG & Plasma it will run it's own suitcase welder structural type up to 5/8'' steel my miller 210 MIG Unit and most any 50 amp tig unit. I can also power 75% of my house with it when the power goes down. They are not cheap but with the construction business in the tank I would imagine you can find them in the $2800 range used. It is the biggest tool I own. I can go any-ware and do any thing and have plenty of power. You may need a front end loader or fork lift to get it in the truck.

This machine will pay for itself in a short time.
I do steel work as a hobby business only mostly to pay for the tools. However with this set up I could make some fairly good $. I may have to find out I'm in the real estate business.

It will eliminate any power issues for welding and steel fab.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/enginedriven/trailblazer_302/

[Zeke]

Wow, 930, you sure did go "big time."

I don't know where the post went about me taking more than one skill mobile, but yes, I will carry the fundamental sheet metal tools. I need speed up my aluminum welding learning. I intend to be able to gas weld, TIG and MIG AL.

[Porsche_monkey]

FWIW I am a welding engineer, technically I am an EE, but practically speaking I am a WE.

But I don't really understand what you are asking...so I'll offer this:

Cheap tools (quality tools) can be purchased, used and, if necessary, re-sold for a profit, or at least no loss. So why not buy it and see how it works for you?

I think the issue is less 'which machine?' and more 'which career?'. Just sayin'.

[coolngroovy]

My 2c

Be carefull when purchasing these '1 machine does all' type welders.

The majority of the inverter type machines donot have a high frequency unit inbuilt.

High frequency is needed for t.i.g welding alloy. If you never intend welding alloy with t.i.g, then it's a non-issue.

Seperate HF units are very expensive. Sometimes more so than the cost of the power source!

Cheers, Col.

[Zeke]

Thanks. I'll look into that. That's why I posted this thread. Yes, the TIG machines I have used are pretty sophisticated. Thanks again.

[Jim2]

Used to own a XMT304 several years ago. About 99% of my work is tig so I sustain a few tig related machines along with an old Powcon machine (predecessor to the 304) that fills any mig or stick needs I have. Friend I sold the 304 to still uses it daily, a really solid machine with a basic S22A wire feed unit.

You seem like a handy person and I'd be hard pressed to believe that the 304 won't fill your needs. MIG is a little fussy to set up with independant wire speed and voltage whereas the millermatics have a form of feedback which seems to aid set up. The more you use it you get used to the independant settings.

Stick is a breeze with the 304 as it is with any inverter. As an amature stick guy if you have ever used an inverter you probably won't look back.

Scratch start tig (DC only=steel) works good though there is no gas solenoid so you have to use a torch with a valve. Frequent tig work pretty much demands hi-ffreq starting and a gas solenoid, but since you are just stepping up to light fab or repair work I don't think you will need these features yet.

I'm surprised how many shops I go into that have several 304s for dedicated stick. I always thought these guys only bought copper machines but I guess they are siding with technology.

The 304 only uses about 62 amps on 220 for 300 output. If your work location only has a dryer outlet (30 amps) I'm sure you won't be welding a bridge structure. In fact whatever you will be doing will be light in terms of what a 304 is capable of.