Welder for Bike Builds

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tonygameboy

tonygameboy

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What do you guys use? Would a sub $100 Harbor Freight welder be good enough for builds? I'm not talking built from scratch but say like joining two bike frames.


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I haven't pulled the trigger on this yet, but I've been doing the research for some time now and I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with a TIG set-up, when the time comes. That being said, a lot of ppl do just fine with MIG set-ups; you're just not as likely to get as clean of a bead, and it'd be more of a problem if you're working with very thin-walled tubes (like, on a high end road or mountain bike) than it would with the dookie-fat mild steel tubes most folks on RRB are working with....

HTH. If you search, I know this has come up a few times, Luke the Joker has used a variety of set-ups, and he gave pros/cons for each as far as the home-builder perspective goes. I think he said, with all factors considered, he preferred the MIG set up.

(As far as Harbor Frieght $100 welders--- I have no direct experience, but those rigs are often maligned on mtbr.com, and I generally do believe you get what you pay for....)
 
Sub $100 wire feed welders are usually flux core (no shielding gas). Which means more splatter and more cleanup grinding. They sell anti-splatter spray which helps with splatter.

Shielding gas set-ups are a little more and you have to lease a tank of argon. Little less grind but some.

I use a tig welder at my work during break time for my projects.

Wire is more forgiving as far as actual welding. Tig is a cleaner weld and once you get good at using the foot pedal you will never use anything else.

Just my 2 cents worth.
 
Id hold off and get a little better than HF I bought from these guys about 5 years ago paid more than this for a similar rig runs great! I can do fun things now! http://www.longevity-inc.com/tig-welders/tigweld-160sx

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I had a HF flux core welder. I used it for tacking, and you could even run a bead, but it was so finicky, it was very difficult. Plus, half the material left was flux that is very difficult to clean off. It's very stubborn. It's very worth it to wait, and buy a step up from that. A Miller 140, or something equivalent.
 
I have a lincoln weld pack 100 because it had the gas available. I am not sure it is any better than the HF but the gas is how you get clean welds. I would also look at the eastwood.
 
if you are looking for a wire feeder, you want to use gas. flux core works great, it has its purpose, but for bikes you should use something else. you need multiple voltage settings, not just a high and low. wire speed settings for 110v machine you should have about 5 settings if it has taps, if not infinite adjustable. Lincoln, miller, and Hobart are good, but there are some others that are decent too. I wouldn't spend any cash on a HF welder. eastwood welders are cheap, im not sure what the deal is, if they just take some other brand machine and have it knocked off over seas or what. I am a welder, personally I wouldn't buy one from them, but im sure they work fine. they do have what you are looking for.
 
My main issue is space and possibly down the road we will find something with a true work space. My interest in building has been building over the years but I'm very limited on space.


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I'll just throw this out since no one has mentioned it. If you are working OUTSIDE and it is windy then a gas welder doesn't work as well. I know, you can up the volume but if I'm welding on the bush-hog and its windy I swap over to fluxcore. It's a small thing but it makes a difference.

Rg
 
I use the mig on my cars most of the time, and I almost always work outside. I try to only tig inside my garage. I have way too much stuff to lose in a fire. the wind is only an issue when its really blowing outside.
 
I could use the welder even if I end up hating bike building. I welded in college for sculpture class and I have tons of yard ornaments I'd like to make.


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Months ago I bought the Eastwood that is $300 on ebay. I got sick shortly after and was unable to use it. But now I have been using it, and it is a huge step up from the Century I have. The Century is the Walmart one. I bought it years ago, and was able to weld frames and just about anything else. But the amps were not adjustable, just selectable LO/HI (60/90 respectively). It is similar to the HF ones. My friend has the HF, and it works fine, but like my Century, requires more cleanup. So far, the Eastwood with infinite heat adjustment has worked great. I can weld frames, but turn the heat a little lower and I can weld fenders. $300 is a big initial investment, but I'm happy with it. Hopefully I can set it up for gas soon, but the flux core is doing well right now.
 

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