Alt-BEAM Archive

Message #10098



To: beam@sgiblab.sgi.com
From: Richard Piotter richfile@rconnect.com
Date: Fri, 11 Feb 2000 19:13:49 -0600
Subject: [alt-beam] Re: Light Duty Electric Welder


I've used larger welders before. My dad and I built a 52 foot wide, 8
seat spot sprayer (for non farmers, it's a big thing with seats and
spray guns to spray herbicide on weeds). I know about the UV and
protection and stuff. I also know I can't use that big machine for small
stuff. Right now I'm looking for something that can weld VERY thin
material to things like motor shafts or frame work.

I've seen joints where two metal objects are "melted through" at points
to hold it together. This is what I am interested in doing primarily.

I'm also not familiar with some terms.

MIG

Brazing

Also, what's the purpose of the argon gas? Is it the equivalent of the
flux, or is it for heat generation purposes?

I'd like to learn more on th subject.


Bruce Robinson wrote:
>
> Richard Piotter wrote:
> >
> > Hello. I am interested in purchasing or building a small electric welder
> > that would opperate off of a 120 volt line and use fairly thin welding
> > rod for point or light duty arc welding of light metals of low
> > thickneses (brass, iron, steel, copper sheet and rod primarily).
>
> Richard, there are a number of small wire-feed MIG welders on the market
> these days. They are small, sort-of portable (40 - 80 lb), and plug into
> a conventional 110 VAC / 15A circuit. You'll find them in a conventional
> style, which require external argon gas bottles, or in a flux-core
> gas-less version.
>
> Price wise, typical flux-core units are as low as $350 CDN (say $250
> US). Gas units are triple the price (and you have to buy the argon
> separately). On the other hand, flux-core wire is 3 times the price of
> solid core wire. I've seen these units on sale for as little as $150 US,
> so shop around.
>
> For casual work, the flux core is the way to go. However, it's pretty
> much limited to working with steel & iron.
>
> The gas version can be used on aluminum and stainless as well (with
> appropriate wire). I doubt you could use them on brass or copper --
> brazing is better for that.
>
> Don't forget, you are getting way up in temperature with these units.
> You have to worry about sparks, high temperature, high levels of UV and
> related hazards to your eyes. Protective gear is definitely a
> requirement. Not for use in a wood-frame house :) Ventilation is
> absolutely essential (the flux is toxic, and the argon will asphixiate
> you.
>
> I have also seen a very small "stick" arc welder that uses special 1/16
> welding rods. Price was about $130 US. Stick welders, however, produce
> more welding heat than the wire feed units.
>
> Brand names are Lincoln, Miller (the two biggies in the field), Century,
> and Campbell-Hausfeld.
>
> Shop around a bit. These units can only weld up to 3/16" plate. You may
> find a good second-hand one that the owner outgrew.
>
> Good luck,
> Bruce

--


Richard Piotter The Richfiles Robotics & TI web page:
richfile@rconnect.com http://richfiles.calc.org

-- Make Money by Simply Surfing the Net or responding to E-Mail!!!
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10099 Fri, 11 Feb 2000 20:12:52 -0500 [alt-beam] Re: legs beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Pete McCarthy HA! HA!
The jokes on you! Some people in the list are from Canada :)

Richard Caudle wrote:
>
> > Does anyone know what Tilden uses for his robot legs?
> >
> > Steve
>
> Your tax money! :)
>
> Richard

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10100 Fri, 11 Feb 2000 20:14:50 -0500 [alt-beam] Re: Found beam@sgiblab.sgi.com Bob Shannon I hadn't known anyone was looking for my site!

I really need to add schematics for my bots. Just yesterday I found an old
notebook I lost recently, with the schematics for LEM. I'd thought I lost
them.

TurtleTek@aol.com wrote:

> Oops, do I feel silly.
>
> I just realized that just yesterday Bob posted the URL to his site in the
> "Symet Question" thread. hehe. 8)
>
> >Take a look at LEM at:
> >
> >http://www.the-nest.com/bshannon
>
> -Brien the TurtleTek

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