3 ms·

I buy the cheapest tools I think if I remember right, here's what I got 170 AMP harbor freight welder -- $125 160 AMP Arc welder, amazon $199 CUT-50 Plasma $22

by delbel 8y ago

I buy the cheapest tools I think if I remember right, here's what I got 170 AMP harbor freight welder -- $125 160 AMP Arc welder, amazon $199 CUT-50 Plasma $225 Pizza style air compressor, on sale HF $49 this weekend Angle grinders - I have a bunch $39-59 Anyway I need these tools because I am constantly breaking my farm equipment. Also, instead of diddling around with things I just tack weld things, like my plow blade broke off I couldn't find the bolt so I just welded it in a few spots. The CUT-50 and the cheap AC/DC arc welder are the best tools, but I use the MIG welder as my first go-to I "modified" the arc welder to make small metal molds in a carbon crucible. I use aluminum, but it will melt steel. I can lathe/mill that to what I need. I also have the cheapest HF mini lathe and a nicer mill. So yeah all this stuff cost me $2000-$3000 but I use it. I also have a completely different CNC setup. They made a kit called the Elektor set in the 1940s-50s, my dad gave me, it is the same concept as this post.

kennywinker 8y ago
That sounds like a very useful skill to have. I’d love to learn, but like so many people I live in small apartment - so this kind of garage workshop stuff doesn’t work well for me. I do occasional small woodworking projects on my balcony, but it requires a lot of forethought and planning... e.g. mostly hand tools, and i can’t just buy an extra sheet of plywood in case I need it.
- delbel 8y ago
  First thing I do whenever I move is change my Dryer to a NEMA welder plug and outlet. You can sort of use your dryer as a work bench. They make this mini arc welder that is really small for $140, I've been trying to justify owning two arc welder to just try it. But they all use the same NEMA plug, you just need to switch your dryer over to it and you're good.

3 ms·

I buy the cheapest tools I think if I remember right, here's what I got 170 AMP harbor freight welder -- $125 160 AMP Arc welder, amazon $199 CUT-50 Plasma $22

by delbel 8y ago

kennywinker 8y ago
That sounds like a very useful skill to have. I’d love to learn, but like so many people I live in small apartment - so this kind of garage workshop stuff doesn’t work well for me. I do occasional small woodworking projects on my balcony, but it requires a lot of forethought and planning... e.g. mostly hand tools, and i can’t just buy an extra sheet of plywood in case I need it.
- delbel 8y ago
  First thing I do whenever I move is change my Dryer to a NEMA welder plug and outlet. You can sort of use your dryer as a work bench. They make this mini arc welder that is really small for $140, I've been trying to justify owning two arc welder to just try it. But they all use the same NEMA plug, you just need to switch your dryer over to it and you're good.