Recent content by SIO

Don't know what your budget is, but you can get a used 250 amp DC welder for under $300 easily, FWIW. This is mine. Bought it for $200 at an industrial surplus place. Works perfectly. A couple weeks later they had another one just like it for $150.

Forks are really useful to have around. Is there a way you could do it without cutting them off?

Thanks for this. Hadn't heard of this place before. Good prices on non Chinese products. My order is on it's way. (y)

:unsure:Umm... the Benchmark Abrasives discs are Chinese made.

That is incorrect. With AC, your polarity is constantly switching back and forth, (hence the "alternating current" nomenclature), which is the reason that it's not as smooth as DC.

If they're unit bearings, (and I assume they are, given your description), you don't actually need an axle. I built an off road trailer and used some old unit bearings off a Dana 60 axle from a Dodge 3500. I used a piece of 3/8"x4x6 angle, reinforced with gussets. Cut a big hole with four small...

For light use like that you could get away with just using a tube inside a tube rather than a bearing, although if you can find an old trailer axle or free float truck axle like I used it'd be smoother. Really nice to have this thing. Saved me having to load up and haul the loader to a couple...

I only have a tiny amount of experience with flux core, but those who do have more experience would probably be better able to answer your question if you gave more details about what you're welding. For the types of things that normally come to mind when someone mentions "farm welder" I think a...

Cut it up into as long of pieces as is practical. You'll be able to tell while doing that if the steel is too compromised to use.

I don't have experience with one like that but you should be aware that you can buy a good used Lincoln, Miller or Hobart machine for the same price. No one really knows for sure how long those machines can last. I had a Lincoln AC/DC tombstone buzzbox that I recently sold to a buddy that ran...

My mistake. Yes, the first example you posted was what I was talking about. I tried the 4.5 inch version in an angle grinder. Was really surprised at how poorly it performed since I've had such good luck with other Diablo products. I might give that carbide tooth blade a try.

Not even remotely close. The Diablo diamond blade that I tried was garbage. Lasted maybe as long as two or three Weiler abrasive blades and costs ten times as much.

Angle grinder with a good cutoff wheel can be plenty accurate in the right hands. FYI, not all cutting wheels are created equal. I've found Weiler or Diablo to be the best. Don't waste your money. You can get abrasive blades for wood cutting circular saws, but they're dangerous, hard on the saw...

I bought my Lincoln Idealarc 250 at an industrial surplus place for $200. Welds beautifully. Quite common to find machines like that for under $400.

You should definitely check into that before fighting with it. Lots of sprockets for old McCulloch saws on Ebay.