I am looking for opinions on the size and model of air compressor and gas/gasless welders. I have been told that if the air compressor isn't two stage you don't want it. I have no idea. These will be for a simple home shop. Ima looking at the sears professional model 60 gallon 2 stage for about 500 bucks. The only other brand that tells me its 2 stage is a $900 Ingersol rand.
The welder img looking at is a 105 amp gas/gasless form Campbell Hausfeld for $240. I know Miller or Lincoln is the standard but for just use once in a while is this decent. Let me know if you have experience with these or what you are using.
Your help is appreciated before I throw cash down the tubes.

Your compressor choice sounds good, but if you plan on doing any painting or air tools for body work make sure the CFM rating is high enough.
As for the CH welder I personally don't like thier performance, compared to my Lincoln the wire feed is not as stable and the welding is more difficult. The flux core wire is ok but if you get a combination machine the mig will be easier/better to use for sheet metal and you can still use the less expensive flux core process on angle iron, plate, etc..

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I use a Campbell Haus 6hp single stage compressor. I got the 60 gal tank but could have gone with 30. The 2 stage is heavy duty for most compressors not sure with the Sears. Compare specs. Like "cfm output" and "duty cycle".
The only way you will most likely overwork the compressor is if you are going to do alot of sandblasting or air-grinding. Take my advise blast the small items yourself and send out the big items. I learned this when my wife shoved the electric bill in my face and wondered where I saved all the $ doing it myself. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif

My mig welder is a Miller with a co gas upgrade. I think the upgrade to the gas was worth every penny. Especially when welding sheetmetal. You don't need to go heavy duty here either I got the one they use to call the "Cricket". Runs on 110 volts. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

FastSS396man

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69' SS396 Chevelle
L78 396/375hp
M-21 Close Ratio
Cortez Silver
10 year Resto
It's brand new again!

[This message has been edited by fastss396man (edited 11-21-2001).]

Check your amp rating on the C-H. When I was looking a welder I remember the C-H model number being 105? but the actual amp rating was 85 (or 88?). I wouldn't go under 100-125 amps (and definitely gas capable) and I haven't seen one for that cheap. As far as the air compressor I have a Porter Cable 7hp peak/60gal single stage ($379) and that has gotten me through alot of sandblasting but it runs to keep up. Do a little and give it a break and it's been fine. If you plan on running it hard make sure to run the piping properly and include a filter/regulator to keep the condensate from entering the tools. Have fun!!

Definitely pay the couple extra bucks for a quality welder. I just got the cheap Lincoln weldpac 100 for $300 on sale at home depot. I'm beyond pleased with it, however converting it to mig cost some more cash. I think it was $100 for the kit and $160 for the tank. Worth every penny though, I'd still do it if it cost twice as much. If your doing anything sheetmetal related, be prepared to convert. Compressor sounds up to task.

Good Luck,
Brandon

What size tank did you get for $160?The place where i get my gas wanted about $200 for a small bottle and to fill it.I got a bottle from Harbour frieght for $80,and its about $20 to fill it.Your better off buying your own bottle.

Consider Welder's Direct when buying welding equipment, I did. http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv
Their prices are at least as good as other places but with NO TAX and NO SHIPPING COSTS.
I bought the Lincoln 135T for $409. The gas bottle I got at the local welding place for $175 filled with 75% Argon, 25% CO2 which I would recommend over the 100% CO2.

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Bob McCormick
69 Malibu project

I have the Campbell Hausfield 115 gas/gasless welder and it works great. it was about 300 on sale. the small bottle (45lb) cost me 75 and to fill it with argon co2 mix is about 15- 20. i recommend using it as a mig welder instead of the flux core because it is way smoother. the flux core throws a lot of slag.

i run repair and custom shop out of my garage so i would be happy to help any and all with any questions they might have.

buddha

72 buick gs (i know its not a chevelle)

I believe Sears compressors are all "oil free".

These things had terrible reliability a few years ago, and I bet they aren't field servicable even now.

I have a 6.5 hp, 60 gallon "off brand" compressor, and it never stops pumping when I use a hand held die grinder. I'd be scared to even try to sandblast with it. Yes, it is a HUGE improvement over the 4 hp/20 gallon portable it replaced.

Spend the extra for a two stage, 80 gallon unit!

I have a Century gas/gasless welder from Sam's Club. Said to weld 3/16 steel in one pass.

Nope, also too small. Again, spend more, do it once, instead of trying to cheap out like I did. Now I get to buy a bigger welder, too.

Chris,

I have not had the chance to get my welder to date but recently picked up a compressor. I purchased the Sears professional portable 30 gallon 2 stage compressor with 175 psi. I can't remember off the top of my head what the CFM was but it hads plenty for any car resto stuff etc. I was able to purchase the compressor for 372.00 with a recent sale and discount coupon. I also liked the idea of a 120 vs 230 outlet. Happy shopping.

Dwaine
66SS

oops

[This message has been edited by hoffman7476 (edited 11-26-2001).]

oops again

[This message has been edited by hoffman7476 (edited 11-26-2001).]

Hey Chris,
I know where you're coming from I was there a few months ago. I ended up with a porter cable jetstream 7hp/60 gal. And a Hobart 135 mig. Both work really great. I use the c25 gas with the welder and lease a big tank.It was only $50 and $5 a month. You can go to our website to see some of the stuff we've done with this equipment. I have friends who have the less expensive mig welders like the Lincolns and campbell housefields and they like them a lot. The only complaint I've heard is that the leads are short.
Oh yea, I was gonna go crazy and hard plumb a bunch of air outlets all over the shop. I just bought one of those 100 ft hose reels (the cheap one) at Northern and mounted it with the reg/drier beside the compressor. Works great!
just my 2c Just think of the fun you'll have!

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http://www.motorhead.iwarp.com

For the money, the Hobart 135 MIG welder is the best you can buy. They sell for around $450 dollars and are set up for gas. The bottle is sold seperately.
The air compressor I would go with would be the 60 gallon Husky from Home Depot, which is really a Campbell Hausfield that's painted red. They sell for around $400 by the time you get it out the door.

The above is the exact setup i have,for about $900 you have a welder and compressor that lets you do just about anything you will need to do on your car.Also not all Craftsman air compressors are oiless.just the cheaper ones,the more expensive ones have real motors and are damn tough.

[This message has been edited by 70isfine (edited 11-26-2001).]

If you don't want to sandblast, you can make do with a single stage compressor. Just know that it will run all the time and may be a little down on power with some high volume tools. This is because it will hold steady at only 75 or 80psi. If you plan on more intermittent use, then it's no problem at all, the tank will re-fill between uses.

I just looked at Sears compressors. I think the one you describe is oiless. Personally, I think oiless compressors are useless. There was a Craftman 5hp, 60 gallon, 2-stage for about 800 or a 7hp, 80 gallon, 2-stage for about 850 that were both oil lubricated and both look promising. For 300 more than a single stage there's a huge difference in air volume. Check out Sears.com. Go to Tools and then Compressors & Air Tools and pick the Stationary Compressors link.


I just wish I could get a good 2-stage in Canada for that price. I had my 60 gallon single stage (C-H just like the last one in the Sears.com list) running so long that I could just touch the bottom of the tank. That was stripping an outside wall of my house with a D/A sander, of all things. Other than this, I usually can't (or won't ;) keep anything running long enough to overwork it. The 60 gallon tank is what makes it work for me.

Peter

As it has been said before, dont get an oiless compressor.

I have a Miller 130(or is it 135???) XP(they used to be called the cricket) It dont run on 220 so I can take it any were. Get the co2/argon mix. I love my miller, lincoln and hobart aint bad, but I like miller migs. I would stay away from a centry and spend the extra $$$ on a Miller.

Philip

Other than the fact you're using it at home, your not providing much to go on. I have a DeVilbiss 5hp 25Gal, yes it's small (compared to what others have) but it's worked fine so far. Use it with impact tools, a grinder (yes they love air), paint guns (using HVLP you don't need as big a tank, etc.) and various other air tools.

I don't have a shop, and have no plans to, but I also don't like removing 2" and longer bolts with a wrench! So, while I don't have the "power" to keep up with others, it sure beats the hell out of NOT having air!

Francis

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1967 El Camino
1970 El Camino SS/396

Other than the fact you're using it at home, your not providing much to go on. I have a DeVilbiss 5hp 25Gal, yes it's small (compared to what others have) but it's worked fine so far. Use it with impact tools, a grinder (yes they love air), paint guns (using HVLP you don't need as big a tank, etc.) and various other air tools.

I don't have a shop, and have no plans to, but I also don't like removing 2" and longer bolts with a wrench! So, while I don't have the "power" to keep up with others, it sure beats the hell out of NOT having air! Oh, it's over 3 years old and still working fine.

Francis

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1967 El Camino
1970 El Camino SS/396