DIY Welding – Setups, Tips & Tricks

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Hey guys,

Just picked up my first welder – Lincoln SP170 MIG. Comes with three spools of wire (two gasless), spare tips, original manual, gas hose and regulator. Got it for $300, has only been used a few times, I’ve been wanting a welder for a while now and jumped on this when I found out about it. I’ve never welded before, a mate is a boilermaker and is gonna be showing me the ropes. Keen to fins out what setups you guys have, and some tips and tricks you’ve learnt over the years. First project will be building a trolley for it, followed by a decent bench for the garage. Ultimate goal is to build a car trailer, but there will lots of practice first.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

Awesome, nice score.  Imo forget the gasless, it just doesn’t produce a nice weld.  But play around, great skill to have

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

Yeah my mate said the same thing. He’s gonna grab a small bottle for me that should last me a while.

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Far better off getting a full size G cylinder, much cheaper in the long run.

[VRSenator065Participant Adelaide SAVR Senator LSx454 1960 Kombi (project) 1921 Nash Hot Rod (future project) View build HERE Member since: February 17, 2015 Posts: 5 777]

And I am anal about shutting off the cylinder all the time when not using it.  Even during the day.  That way you absolutely minimize the use/wastage of gas.  I have a larger cylinder too, not sure what size, but you chew through the tiny one very quickly.

[Heron SSVParticipant Central Coast NSW2009 Pajero Exceed 84 VK SL LS3 View build HERE Member since: May 5, 2015 Posts: 585]

My mate can get me free refills at his work, I’ll get myself started with the small one and see how I go. Will take a fair bit of practice, I’ll grab some pics to put up of my journey to weld porn haha

[Anonymous View build HERE Member since: January 1, 1970 Posts: 0]

Practice practice practice… someone can “teach” the basic settings and what they do but it’s something you learn by doing, buy a couple of meters of 50x3mm flat strap cut it up and just play around, Mig is really easy to get to grips with then it’s just trying different techniques.

[exec24Participant 2004 VY S2 Berlina 1996 VS 5L Sedan View build HERE Member since: April 8, 2015 Posts: 435]

Ive got a Lincoln 180c, great welder had it 5 years or so with no issues,  very portable which is why i bought it (also a downfall as it get borrowed alot)

I’ve welded both gas and gasless with it, but as Gary mentioned above, Gas welds up much neater.

i have a E size Cylinder (middle size) which normally lasts me 6-12 months, Depending on the job. I also turn off the cylinder valve off, just in case.

 

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