New tools are always AWESOME!!

[mugenhatchie]

Well finally bit the bullet. I have ben in the market for a Tig of my own. I initially was going to get a transformer machine like a syncrowave or a Lincoln 185 because it was what was in my price range but then I ran across this little guy:
http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/9391/1000946g.jpg
http://img193.imageshack.us/img193/1224/1000948xw.jpg

Bought it from one of the old owners of strictly diesel for a steal of 2500 bucks with the tig kit. Best of all it has 0 arc time. Now I am going to have to get my skills up to compliment the machine! Will post pics of work as I learn to use this thing....

[all_motor_mike]

jealousy owns me right now, also did u find this guy on craigslist by any chance? and is there an issue with the high freq board on that thing?


mike

[mugenhatchie]

Yeah It was an old CL ad that had expired but I wrote down the number. HF start seems to work fine but I am sure it will have an issue later because it is an early model. Serial number says its a 2006 machine so who knows. One thing I can say is this thing freaked me out when I first wired it up. It definately sounds different that the SW 175 I use at work.

[all_motor_mike]

hmm, a guy i work with just called a guy last week about one of those, the guy was looking for trades for off road shit for his truck or something instead of cash.


mike

[mugenhatchie]

Yeah I saw that one. Has some kind of faux wooden case or something. Kind of weird. He says the machine is acting weird with HF starts. Apparently from what I read though, the machines that were affected with that problem had bad boards and would show right out of the box. I guess if was on machines with serials starting with LF to LG. I was kind of nervous with this one being it could be one of them, but got home wired and fired and it is fine. You should call on it and get the serial for it. Hell miller might even fix it for free. If the serial starts with a LJ, LK, or MA it might be worth it. If it is a late model machine he might just have some of the arc start settings wrong.

Spent 2 hours reading the manual and playing with the settings. I have now put a total of 14 minutes of time on the machine and then ran out of gas :pissed:. Tommorow I am gonna mig a table together and get some more gas so I can finally finish my car. If you ever want to use the machine Mike, LMK. Your more than welcome to. Maybe you could even show mw what some of these settings do :thumbup:

Here was my makeshift table last night lol. Definately need a new one. Wife is probably like WTF WHERE IS MY OUTDOOR COFEE TABLE!!!
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/3135/1000949x.jpg

[honduh_head]

man i'm jealous right now.

[mugenhatchie]

Well clocked off work today and went to work making a welding station for the Dynasty. I still need to make a top, torch holder, curtains, mount the vise as well as the grinder, and filler rod holders for it but a lot better than a cafe table...
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/5063/1000961y.jpg
http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/3288/1000960h.jpg
Grounding cable location
http://img602.imageshack.us/img602/9820/1000958.jpg

I will finish the rest tommorow and get a bottle hopefully. What size bottle would you advise I get? I really don't want to take it to get filled a lot and I plan on using it quite a bit. Any ideas on how much a decent sized bottle of argon is going to cost if you guys don't mind. Just trying to get my ducks in a row. Thanks!

[all_motor_mike]

ill be damned, take 1ft off ur tables width and thats the same thing i made 3 years ago (and still use today to weld on), same square tubing too. i didnt make a nifty holder for my welder and cables though, mine sits on the ground right below where ur sits. ive got a 60 cubic footer (for mobile us) and a 200 cubic footer that stays in the garage. the 60 costs me 25.00 to get filled and lasts about 3 weeks with moderate use and the 200 costs me 55.00 to get filled and will last anywhere from 1.5 to 3 months or so depending on how often i weld. i need to get my seld a little mig welder now.


mike

[pplh8r]

Nice find bro !!
Keep us updated on your progress.

[ChrisIsYoung]

that set up is the shit... nice job

[mugenhatchie]

Thanks for the compliments! Well I finally got a top for the table and a bottle of gas. I do have a question though. The top I got is 1/4 hot rolled steel. Unfortunately it has that nasty mill scale on it. Are you guys cleaning/grinding that off or are you just leaving it and welding on top of it. I just want to make sure I can get a good ground off of it and that it wont contaminate anything. I will post pictures when I get home.

[mugenhatchie]

Well here it is. I still need to clear the mill scale from the top but it works for now.
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2193/1000962h.jpg
I finally can start working on practicing. Here is some tube I was practicing joining and welding near the edges...
http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3097/1000965x.jpg
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/2277/1000966m.jpg
http://img576.imageshack.us/img576/4387/1000967i.jpg
And here is a battery tray breather tank I am working on. The diamond plate is kind of tacky but it is all i had that size lol:
http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/8301/1000976.jpg
http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/4572/1000968e.jpg

[mugenhatchie]

Nothing major but here is a catchcan I am making for my hatch...
http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/3263/1000979rf.jpg
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1397/1000981w.jpg
This is starting to become addicting lol...

[all_motor_mike]

looking good sir.


mike

[mugenhatchie]

Well been a while since I updated this. Just been busy at work and spending time playing with my now 5 month old son. I've also still been playing around with the welder more. Here is some of the stuff I have done since then:

I finally finished that diamond plate catch can for my buddy:
http://img8.imageshack.us/img8/3466/fab157.jpg
http://img707.imageshack.us/img707/6881/fab159.jpg

made some coolant reservoirs for some 240's. This was made from a piece of square tube and a cap from a harbor freight flashlight lol.
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6466/fab143.jpg
http://img163.imageshack.us/img163/7956/fab148.jpg
http://img845.imageshack.us/img845/1219/fab129.jpg

Made a test pipe for my s13
http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/3478/fab38.jpg
http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/87/fab39.jpg

Fixed a set of volks with some curb rash
http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/6162/fab55.jpg
http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/4213/fab57.jpg
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4838/fab59.jpg

Made some vented valve covers
http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/2783/fab115.jpg
http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/8008/fab114.jpg

Modified a radiator for a turbo water outlet
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/6584/fab118.jpg

Fabbed up a fuel cell for my buddies 1951 Plymouth along with some webb door handle trim pieces
http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/2706/fab120.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/9476/fab119.jpg

Made a axle plate mount for my bike
http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4115/fab166.jpg
http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/7532/fab164.jpg
and a high mount
http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/7254/fab167.jpg

Welded a cracked manifold for a friend of mine:
http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/9274/fab140.jpg

And made my own boxed in power brace for my s13.
http://img838.imageshack.us/img838/2020/fab130.jpg

Been busy lol.

[turbo4dr]

Great work man!
I would like my radiator tapped like that.

[Rufus]

I wish I owned a welder...

[mugenhatchie]

Great work man!
I would like my radiator tapped like that.
Thanks! Makes it nice man. The waterline is nice and short. The other line comes from the coolant plug on the front of the block I welded a AN fitting on. Really clean setup.

I wish I owned a welder...
I said the same thing for the longest time. Figured instead of buying another project at the time, a TIG was a better investment. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one again!

[I Hate Import Cars]

Dude, I have the same welder (assuming that's the Dynasty 200) and I fucking LOVE that machine. It's funny how many things you finally get around to fixing/building when you buy a new machine, huh? :) And for $2500, that's a fucking STEAL. I paid $3500 for mine, but that was with 6 hours on it, a full argon bottle, 3 of the 100 count or whatever boxes of filler (aluminum, steel, and stainless), plus a $400 tungsten sharpener. Keep up the work, that's looking like it's getting put to good use! :)

[CTD-FAB]

Now thats an update!!!

Your work is looking great! Love the aluminum weld shot on the rim. And both you guys got yours for a steal, I think I have 4k+ into mine. Such a capable little machine though, paid for itself in a year easy.

[jghiurau]

dang keep up the good work

[honduh_head]

looking good man! nice meeting you last night!

[mugenhatchie]

Now thats an update!!!

Your work is looking great! Love the aluminum weld shot on the rim. And both you guys got yours for a steal, I think I have 4k+ into mine. Such a capable little machine though, paid for itself in a year easy.

Thanks man. Getting there. Still drawing inspiration from guys like yourself man!

dang keep up the good work

Thanks buddy!

looking good man! nice meeting you last night!

You to man! Really awesome group of people last night. Awesome meeting all of you in person!

[AFFIRace]

Great to meet you as well. Hope you get those 90* edge welds down.

[mugenhatchie]

Thank you tons man. I spent 2hrs just welding 90's today lol. Probably do the same tonight. I'm going to have a lot of random sized aluminum boxes around the house now haha.

[AFFIRace]

Haha. You could turn em into piggy banks and toothbrush holders.

[CTD-FAB]

Metal piggy banks!!!!

[LS-S DA9]

Hey Nate i have a valve cover that needs some welding ;) might be out your way this weekend if your available.

[mugenhatchie]

For sure. I can always use the practice, only thing is my bottle ran out tonight lol. Sooo, chip in to fill it and I'm down. Send me a text bud. I like the piggy bank & tooth brush holder ideas. I know what my family is getting for Christmas this year! Perfect!

[honduh_head]

pics of the metal piggy banks please!!! haha