Any Welders on BARF?

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dagle

Well-known member
Looking at getting into the hobby since it's so goddamn fun to make things and I figured when I got decent I'd save a ton on the stuff I'd need to get fabbed up. I'm mainly talking about TIG welding on stainless, aluminum and automotive-grade materials.

Anyone know where to start? I'm in the process of looking at how to get into it and I'm still on the fence about what to buy. It'll either be a welder, or i'll finally be building my non-evil AR :laughing.

My main focus is to be able to make my own parts because I feel that even with the super name-brand stuff, there are improvements that can be made on the original design. Namely for me and my honders, I want the flushest frame-hugging exhaust possible, and to date I haven't seen an off-the-shelf unit that has that. Then there's the fabbing/design/obsession over ELTM (Equal Length Turbo Manifolds) :ride, roll bars/roll cages, chassis stiffening, etc.

I know the price won't be cheap, but I feel that it'll be worth the experience and it may later turn into an alternative source of income if I get good enough. (I hear industrial welding pays well and is contracted by job and not at a rate). Any suggestions where to start? :p
 
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dagle

Well-known member
loving the link, but even his broken down explanations escape me lol. any book/media/website that has the super newbie information explaining all the different components, their functions, and techniques by chance? :p
 
Hubbard 0

Hubbard 0

Midwesterner
Community college is the best way to learn. You'll have to take prerequisite classes probably to get into a TIG class, but those are equally important for technique and it's just practical to know it all.

I wish I could afford a TIG machine to make some stuff. It sounds like we are in the same boat, I love tube manifolds and the idea of doing some trick exhaust stuff. In my TIG class I was able to make a custom external wastegate setup on my downpipe for my DSM. Turned out great, hadn't cracked in over a year, and looked good.
 
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dagle

Well-known member
I guess we're in the total opposite situations, if you do end up in SF soon (as your location states), you could use mine when I get one with your own consumables (or reimbursement). I'd certainly be able to learn better watching someone else haha.

Any recommendations on machines from you guys? I'm looking at buying a used Miller Dynasty 200dx as I have read many people rave about it's capabilities for welding automotive-related stuff.
 
Wicked4Racin

Wicked4Racin

MOJO Motorsports
Im a fellow BARF welder! I do all of it at my house in san jose and can do most metals but I currently have my gas and gun setup for steal, but can do alum also if I get a different mix in my tank. Its alot of fun and migging is pretty easy to learn how to do. Its like anything, the more you do it the better you get
 
gnstalodz

gnstalodz

Well-known member
My father was self taught, nothing but books to help him learn. He does it for a hobby now and I'll be learning soon. I plan on going to las po or something to learn though...
 
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dagle

Well-known member
Is the Miller Dynasty 200DX a noob-friendly machine that'll get all the automotive-grade welding done? (I don't remember anything automotive that's any thicker than 1/8" stainless lol..
 
57x

57x

Outside the box
dagle said:
Is the Miller Dynasty 200DX a noob-friendly machine that'll get all the automotive-grade welding done? (I don't remember anything automotive that's any thicker than 1/8" stainless lol..
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Yes. I have played with one with sheet metal and I suck at welding. Made me look pretty damn good. The high frequency really helps. The guy that owns the one I used welds aluminum often with mig to give you an idea of the versatility of the machine. His old machine was the size of a Buick and this one can be carried like a briefcase. Sometimes new stuff IS better than the 'good ole days'.
 
57x

57x

Outside the box
What problems are you having? Got a good ground and good, dry air? Are you getting any arc? What model?
 
NorCalAthlete

NorCalAthlete

O_o
57x said:
What problems are you having? Got a good ground and good, dry air? Are you getting any arc? What model?
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Good ground, good air, absolutely nothing when you turn it on. I think a circuit board or something inside is fried. ESAB PCM 875.
 
C

CoorsLight

Well-known member
Hubbard 0 said:
Community college is the best way to learn. You'll have to take prerequisite classes probably to get into a TIG class, but those are equally important for technique and it's just practical to know it all.
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+1 This is the way to go if you can find the time. You'll have access to a variety of different tools and materials at a price you can't beat anywhere. When I took welding at CCSF, we actually got to start TIG welding right away, and I got to spend most of the semester TIG welding Al and stainless. But even if you have to do some prerequisite stick welding and MIG, you'll really benefit from it. Both methods, but particularly stick welding, will make your TIG welds way cleaner.

gnstalodz said:
My father was self taught, nothing but books to help him learn. He does it for a hobby now and I'll be learning soon. I plan on going to las po or something to learn though...
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Some talented folks can definitely teach themselves. I had a classmate in machining class who fabricated his own Ti bicycle frame and he taught himself TIG! Crazy challenging project, but he pulled it off. :thumbup
 
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fuldog

Well-known member
Community College classes are definetly the way to go. In addition to learning proper technique, you'll learn what machines and set-ups are best for your situation.
 
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dagle

Well-known member
i spoke with my machine shop (he does primarily MIG welding) and he advised that if i am to attempt a home-rig setup that I make sure my house is setup for it. He said that most modern houses can barely support the draw of 100% duty cycle on a modern welder, and for any houses built before 2000, it's very doubtful the circuits would support it.

i'll have to doublecheck first, but I do plan to get my owner TIG setup (something that's run of the mill, or if I get a deal on a dynasty machine I'll hop on it) regardless of if I enroll in a CC course. :)
 
57x

57x

Outside the box
NorCalAthlete said:
Good ground, good air, absolutely nothing when you turn it on. I think a circuit board or something inside is fried. ESAB PCM 875.
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That is the typical failure on the plasma cutter. Unfortunately, nothing most can do without the diagnostic tools for it. Many of the dealers have them, just how much to check out plus the new board. You can hit google for the error code and see where that get you.

The primary failures are around not having dry air. Do you have an air dryer on yours? Worth their weight (price) to blow stuff up. I was lucky and found one cheap on CL for my Miller 2050.
 
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