JustinOlson Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 I currently have a 110v Lincoln 135 mig welded. It is currently setup gasless with flux core wire. It works OK for some things, but I just can't get nice clean beads with it repeatedly. If I stop and start again I have to clean the surface as the flux core leave behind the slag to protect the molten weld. I priced out converting the welder over to gas, and its about $275-$290 for cylinder, regulator and a spool of wire. Do you guys think it is worthwhile for me to spend the money on this little mig welder? Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSM Posted August 20, 2008 Share Posted August 20, 2008 Nope, I'd look for a whole used setup. This is the one I picked up: http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=132038 I just got my tank last week. I managed to get the tank for $25 in a #2 size at the fleamarket. Went to TSS and for $20 I can switch to their brand and get it refilled. I spent $46 total for the exchange and gas, and of course, they had no #2 size tanks in stock. The guy had no clue what he was doing, and he told me to take what ever I wanted. I didn't want to be greedy and get a #4, so I got a #3 instead! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mikeatrpi Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 I bought a 40 cu ft cylinder on ebay for under $100 shipped from Indiana Oxygen Co a few years ago. You can exchange it locally for the fill, at the price of gas. For the regulator - I'm surprised you can't find one used somewhere. Just to be sure, the rest of your machine is set up to MIG? Edit - regulator http://cgi.ebay.com/HOBART-WELD-IT-BY-SMITH-MIG-ARGON-CO2-WELDING-REGULATOR_W0QQitemZ250283353481QQihZ015QQcategoryZ67055QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem cylinder http://cgi.ebay.com/40CF-WELDING-CYLINDER-NITROGEN-ARGON-ARG-CO2-HELIUM_W0QQitemZ370077744347QQihZ024QQcategoryZ11774QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tannji Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 If any of you are about to buy cylinders, keep this in mind... pricing on cylinders new and used is going up, and not by a little, either. If you come across a deal... take it NOW! My "street" price for new cylinders just increased by about 40%... For instance, an Oxy Acetylene cylinder pair with #3 Acetylene and 125 cubic foot Oxy now goes a little over $600! The price of steel and fuel both is causing this... and it will only get worse. I would religiously shop for a used unit, and sell your flux core welder to a beginner. If you are buying a new regulator, that Hobart (Smith/ITW/Miller) is a decent unit, and that is a great price... but get a receipt, I have been seeing some failures on them lately, especially as packaged with MIG welders. Esab and Profax regulators can be had for $20 to $35 as well... but are fragile. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustinOlson Posted August 22, 2008 Author Share Posted August 22, 2008 I think I'm just going to say screw it and use the tig welder where ever I need nice welds. I'll use the flux core welder for tacking things together and what not. If I find a cylinder and regulator on craigslist I'll go for it I guess. Justin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getZ Posted August 22, 2008 Share Posted August 22, 2008 the price of the gas conversion alone is about $150 with regulator, solenoid and cable liner for a weld pak 100, I think it is the same for the 135, but I'm not positive. The price of the bottle is what it is. Be careful about buying a used one since to fill it some places require a bottle certification. I bought mines a while back for about 80 bucks, it about 3 1/2 feet tall and just do a tank exchange every time I need more gas ($40). The downside is I have to do exchanges with the same company. In my case, this isn't a problems since they are within a mile of my house. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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