Welding Tips and Tricks

I'm about to order a first arc welder and am wondering if the difference between the two is worth the extra price. Planning to use Amazon gift cards for the purchase which narrows down the options somewhat, but I'm trying to decide between the

Forney Easy Weld 298 100 ST which is 110volts or the Forney Easy Weld 291 180 ST which can be run at 110 or 220.

Mostly will be doing farm repairs, building pig traps and other odds and ends, doubt that I would ever weld anything over 1/4". Do plan on learning to tig and adding the tig torch later as i build wood pirogues and would like to try some out of aluminum.

Based upon what I'm planning to use it for is there that much advantage to the 220 volt that I would actually realize?

I'm not familiar with either of those welders, but I've burned plenty Fourney rods and like them. I believe those welders are made in Italy.

To me it was worth it to buy a dual voltage machine. I use 110V when I have no choice only. The extra power is noticable and the starts seem easier. My vote would be for a dual voltage machine unless you are convinced you will be running on just 110V. You would likely not regret having the bigger machine.

Good luck.

Of you think you might later want to TIG, and TIG aluminum make sure you get the 220v machine and that it has High Frequency and AC. Aluminum requires that. And you’d want a 200 amp machine to be practical with aluminum TIG.

KellyWK wrote:
Forney Easy Weld 298 100 ST which is 110volts or the Forney Easy Weld 291 180 ST which can be run at 110 or 220.

Mostly will be doing farm repairs, building pig traps and other odds and ends, doubt that I would ever weld anything over 1/4". Do plan on learning to tig and adding the tig torch later as i build wood pirogues and would like to try some out of aluminum.

Based upon what I'm planning to use it for is there that much advantage to the 220 volt that I would actually realize?

get the Forney Easy Weld 291 180 ST.
one of the advantages is it can be run off a generator which is really usefull for farm work.
the 120v is only 90 amps which is a big limitation.
remember that you need a bigger machine than what amps you weld at. so a 90 amp machine your only going to be welding at 70amps or so.

for tig, if your wanting to do aluminium i would get a ac/dc tig machine later on.

KellyWK wrote:would like to try some out of aluminum.

Based upon what I'm planning to use it for is there that much advantage to the 220 volt that I would actually realize?

You're asking the wrong question, for you cannot weld TIG aluminum with a DC Stick TIG welder (save for a very exclusive process that you will likely not be embarking on as a beginner).

You can, however, weld aluminum with aluminum stick rods, but that's more for down-n-dirty repairs as opposed to brand new fabrications. Not saying you can't do new fabrications, but it's a lot trickier with aluminum stick rods, but it can be done. Although, at $20/lb for aluminum stick rods, you will probably have lock-jaw at that price.

The 240V capable unit will be much better since you will be able to run 1/8" E7018 electrodes, which are great, strong electrodes for both repair and new fabrication. Regardless if you stick to steel or venture into aluminum stick rods as well, you will have to burn many many pounds to 'get the hang of it'. I wish I knew 10yrs ago what I know now; had I, I would have burnt a lot more rods back then.

Not to derail, but can't you use helium to dc tig weld aluminum?

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bplayer405 wrote:Not to derail, but can't you use helium to dc tig weld aluminum?

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Yes, that was my disclaimer in disguise, whereby stated, "(save for a very exclusive process that you will likely not be embarking on as a beginner)."

bplayer405 wrote:Not to derail, but can't you use helium to dc tig weld aluminum?

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And you’ll still need above 200 amps to do any serious welding on ally. I’ve Been in the shop all weekend welding up a toolbox for a trailer using 1/4” plate. Borrowed my pals 280 Dynasty. 235 amps, 60Hz, 72 on balance, with 25% He. Drilling it! Full pen welds and I’m stuffing 1/8” filler in there like bread crumbs inside a turkey in November. I could’ve gotten it done with my 200 Dynasty, but puddle speed and full pen welds are saving me tons of time and filler (instead of beveling and double-sides welds.

bplayer405 wrote:Not to derail, but can't you use helium to dc tig weld aluminum?

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you can. i think crummy has a thread on it here.
however helium is expensive and requires certain setup and techniques. its really more of a specialist process.

cj737 wrote: And you’ll still need above 200 amps to do any serious welding on ally.

i disagree a bit.
its all down to how thick the metal is you want to weld.
trouble with aluminium is it does require a lot of amps and its easy to go past the limit of the machine.
its a right nuisance if you only do really thin stuff.

Guaranteed...you will want to weld aluminum. make sure you get plenty of amps,,,you can always cut back but you can't stretch "em out. there's a couple fellas in here that are running the primewelds. look up the forum in here, I believe under tig welding and get hooked up with them.
gramps.