went and got the welder today. I think it was a good deal!

[jorgensensc]

Thanks to everyone that helped me out yesterday with the welder questions. I ended up buying the Lincoln 135 Pro Mig welder that was on ebay. It was brand new in the box still sealed, and I paid 376.00 for it. When i went to get it (Thank goodness no shipping!) I opened the box to make sure it was all right and there. Everything was perfectly wrapped from the factory and it was not refurbished! I don't know if it is an older unit or what, but it actually came with a fullface helmet, not just a handheld face sheild. Also I had read somewhere that the Lincoln spool holders (rod) were plastic and less desirable because they were more prone to breaking. Supposedly the Millers have a metal rod. Well I looked at the Lincoln I just bought and it has a metal rod, very weird. It also came with the gauges and hoses for the gas setup. I am very plaesed with the purchase. Is this an older unit, or a very new unit, does anyone know. Whichever it is I am happy and can't wait to start welding!!
Shawn

[Tx Firefighter]

Shawn, please trust me on this.

Stop by a welding shop and buy a bottle. It will cost about a hundred bucks for a "40" full of CO2/ Argon mix.

Yes, you can flux core weld and get the job done, but trust me, get the bottle and start off right with true MIG welding. The 40 will last a long time around the garage welding and cost about 12-15 to get it refilled when needed.

This is the most bestest advice I've ever offered on this board in my 2200 odd posts. I've been there and done that, so have a lot of my friends (yes, I have friends).

Your wife's MG deserves it, and besides, a weld with gas will make you look like a hero. The flux core welds looks marginal at best, even by a real experienced welder.

[Zumo]

Cool. What welder is the next one up? The one that requires 220v?

[jorgensensc]

Tx,
I will take your advice! I just have to try and find a good deal on a bottle. I will practice on a scratch piece of metal with the flux core, just to get the hang of it. I will wait to start welding on the MG until I get the bottle. Thank you for all of your advice and input. It makes me more confident that I can do a good job welding.
Zumo,
I'm not sure what the next one up is , I think it's a 175. I only have breakers left for a 115, ( my Air compressor took the 220 I had for the dryer(We are using a gas dryer))so I couldn't get the 220volt welder. I bought the best I could get on 115Volt, which was the 135, unless someone corrects me.

[Tx Firefighter]

Shawn, just remember, when you do convert to gas welding, you have to change the wire, reverse the polarity inside the side of the machine, a likely change the liner depending on what size wire you use, change the tip, and the shield nozzle on the gun as well as install the bottle.

By the way, I'd start running about 2 to 4 miles per day, at least 4 or 5 days a week.

[jorgensensc]

Tx,
I'll be sure and do that for the welder, as for the running, I started up again yesterday, and ran about 3 miles. It took be about 26 min. A little longer than I used to (In the Marines my best time was 3 miles at 21 min, and I was considered slow). I haven't ran since the PAT I had to take for the qualification process, and then I ran 1.5 miles in 11:45 min. i haven't really PT'd since January, but I will get on the ball again.

[Tx Firefighter]

The reason I recomend starting now is that you're going to have enough on your mind in rookie school without having to worry about being the slow guy in class.

Believe me, there will be some slobs show up totally unprepared and get the hiney handed to them by the instructors. You want to be underneath that radar.

You've got both fire and EMT classes ahead of you, so anything you can do to be more prepared than the next guy helps. The fire service is very tough and close knit. The instructors will know who is good and who gets by. Little things like that can help you get assigned to a good house early in your career. Believe me, the stupid slobs will get bad houses and the top notch guys will get on the best trucks at the best houses.