Need welding recommendations please

[wellfedirishman]

Folks,

Looking for input on what kind of inexpensive welder would be suitable for building AKs and re-weld work.

The only welding I have ever done was with an electric spot welder at the recent build party, which worked great.

Harbor Freight has some cheap basic welders for under $100:

http://www.harborfreight.com/90-amp-flux-wire-welder-68887.html

Is that suitable, or just not worth messing with?

They have a much heavier duty welder for about twice the price:

http://www.harborfreight.com/225-amp-arc-welder-69029.html

This looks like it is overkill for basic gunsmithing, and is 240v only.

Sears has a Craftsman welder that might do the trick also:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-arc-welder/p-00920566000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1#reviewsWrap

I'd like to try to keep the cost at $150 or less, since this will only be for occasional work.

Any input and recommmendations would be appreciated.

Edit to add:
If anyone is interested, TechShop (San Jose and Menlo Park and San Francisco) offer intro and advanced classes in MIG and TIG welding, I signed up for some.

They have a 'Maker Faire' deal good through June 18th:

http://techshop.ws/index.html

[kcstott]

This is going to sound very harsh.
You stated

The only welding I have ever done was with an electric spot welder at the recent build party

And then you point out a 90 amp wire feed welder that isn't much better then welding tin foil.
And two stick welders which are no where near what you need.

So based on that here's what you need to do. Find a community college and take a basic welding class. About a years worth of practice should do the trick.

Then if you still insist on trying to weld up a receiver get a 140 amp Miller wire feed welder minimum. and better yet would be the 180 version that is 220 VAC.

The welders you suggested and the skill level you state is ideal for making scrap. You need some practice and a good machine. Welding is not something you can learn over night or even a few weeks of practice. it's going to take some time.

Now that said Anything else I can help you with feel free to ask. I'sorry if it sounds like I'm shutting you down but welding up receivers is not something a newbie should be trying, at least not with out some experienced help

[nick]

And never, ever attempt doing it until you at least have an MS in welding. Don't do what these guys did:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=320409

[nick]

With that said, there are dangers in welding that you might want to learn about before you start learning welding. One thing I agree with the poster above on is that you do need to find someone experienced to help you, be it at a community college class, workshop, or if you have a friend with a lot of experience.

[kcstott]

Well experience is the key. As proven many times anyone can build an AK with proper help. Same goes for a receiver reweld. My comment was intended to be a Don't try it by yourself until you know what you are doing

[wellfedirishman]

Thanks folks for the input, it is appreciated. And no worries about sounding harsh, I came to ask advise and received it. If someone came to me asking how to write a contract, I'd give a similar response

I think a class at the local evening school would be a good starting point for learning myself, in the meantime I can seek assistance of more experienced welders.

[1lowluv]

You're also gonna find that with those cheaper harbor freight welders it is more difficult to weld. The ground clamps aren't as good, the neck on the gun is at a funny angle, and the 90amp is flux core only. Rewelds can be done with flux core but you would defiantly need some practice. Flux core burns super hot and will melt through a lot of stuff under 3/16 thick. You literally will have to use that thing turned all the way up.

[kcstott]

Yeah if you were closer I say drive down I'll give you a crash course.
Someone on here will help you out though.

[Peter.Steele]

You're also gonna find that with those cheaper harbor freight welders it is more difficult to weld. The ground clamps aren't as good, the neck on the gun is at a funny angle, and the 90amp is flux core only. Rewelds can be done with flux core but you would defiantly need some practice. Flux core burns super hot and will melt through a lot of stuff under 3/16 thick. You literally will have to use that thing turned all the way up.

I've actually got one of those HF flux wire welders. One of the big keys to success with it is to use high quality wire. The wire that they sell at HF is utter ****. I can't remember what brand I've got in mine right now, but it works VERY well. I can usually weld up stuff down to ~16-18ga with no real problems with burn-through.

Now, that said, it ain't gonna look pretty ... flux core has more splatter than a Tarantino film.

[osis32]

You can use one of those to weld the extractor on a bent AK though right? That's what I was gonna do. Weld it Nico style with a mig.

[kcstott]

I wouldn't use flux core for that.

Stick welding is never an option.

MIG or tig only as a plan B compared to spot welding as plan A

[osis32]

Isn't mig welding stronger than spot welding? I know spot welding is way easier.

[Dan FS71]

It isn't really as bad as that. A 90amp mig will do receivers just fine. The cheaper the machine the more skill is required vs. an expensive machine. Everyone starts from zero. A class can be a good guide but the key is practice.

With the internet it is easy to see people making good welds. It will take some time to learn. The sooner you start & more you practice the quicker you will atain your goal.

[kcstott]

Spot welding done properly is one cleaner and two just as strong as the base metal as there is no filler used.
The way mig welding is stronger is because it adds material to the weld. Bigger weld = more surface area = high strength.

Now that said I'd drill holes through the side of the receiver and rosette weld it in place

[kendog4570]

This is going to sound very harsh.
You stated

And then you point out a 90 amp wire feed welder that isn't much better then welding tin foil.
And two stick welders which are no where near what you need.

So based on that here's what you need to do. Find a community college and take a basic welding class. About a years worth of practice should do the trick.

Then if you still insist on trying to weld up a receiver get a 140 amp Miller wire feed welder minimum. and better yet would be the 180 version that is 220 VAC.

The welders you suggested and the skill level you state is ideal for making scrap. You need some practice and a good machine. Welding is not something you can learn over night or even a few weeks of practice. it's going to take some time.

Now that said Anything else I can help you with feel free to ask. I'sorry if it sounds like I'm shutting you down but welding up receivers is not something a newbie should be trying, at least not with out some experienced help

This is sound advice. About the only thing I would add is, after the classes, after the lab practice, weld for wages for at least 2 or 3 years minimum. That will give you a pretty good foundation in the skill.
I have welded professionally for 20+ years with "big wire" (LN-8 with NS120 wire, 600 amps at 40 volts) and could cut a pile of AK's in half with one pass. I once ran 4 50lb rolls of wire in one 10 hour shift. We were "racing" on a high-rise. I consider myself a pretty good welder, but I still dont know tig. Not good enough to weld on somebody's gun. Each process has a skillset and a learning curve.