1:49 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline
I'm planning at some point in the future to have some type of on board welding. After the breakage last summer I want to be prepared for the worst. I would also like to have something that can be used at home on occasion.
Here's are the options I can think of. I am no expert on this and that is why I am posting.
1. Jumper cables and welding rods - Price: cheap; Power: requires at least 2 disconnected car batteries; Other: difficult for home use
2. ReadyWelder - Price: moderate; Power: requires at least 2 disconnected car batteries; Other: compete kit but difficult for home use
3. Premier Power Welder - Price: expensive; Power: alternator driven; Other: compete kit, easier for home use but requires running vehicle
4. Zena Welder - Price: expensive; Power: alternator driven; Other: can be mounted separately, would require custom mounting bracket if not replacing alternator, easier for home use but requires running vehicle
5. Compact Electric Welder and 2000W+ inverter - Price: moderate to expensive; Power: inverter on vehicle, electricity at home; Other: time limit with inverter unknown (need more research), easiest for home use
6. Electric Welder for home, #1 for trail.
Are there other options that I am missing or anything above to steer clear of?
Yes, it would be awesome to have a $2K onboard system AND a $2K home system, but that's a lot of $K!
Thanks!
4:15 pm
Club Member
January 19, 2011
Offline Did you ping Fred to see if his portable welder is still for sale? Maybe he will give you the former Posse deal.
Semper Fi
5:22 pm
Club Member
February 26, 2014
Offline I think its still for sale he reposted recently
5:34 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline 
I'm weighing all of my options. Not looking to buy just yet.
Looking for info. 
9:52 pm
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline I have a ready welder. I just don't carry it because I don't break (on fordyce)!
10:16 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline BKGM Jeepers said
I have a ready welder. I just don't carry it because I don't break (on fordyce)!
I hope you didn't jinx yourself. 
Wait, didn't I tow you off of Fordyce once?! 
10:21 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline I think I'm leaning towards option #6. Get myself a decent home unit and put together my own trail kit for emergencies. Need to practice my stick welding! 🙂
I'm still open to any ideas as I won't be making a purchase in the near future.
10:32 am
Club President
April 2, 2003
Offline Those were drivelines. Who needs those!
12:04 pm
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline I dont think I would try and do both home and trail use with one unit. As good as mobile welders are they will never have the capacity and control of a nice home welder. I say a variation on #6.
-Since you mentioned a $2k budget the Millermatic 211 is $1,179, ESAB MigMaster 215 pro is $1,646, and the Millermatic 212 is $1,999. All are nice welders with the latter 2 being full size machines and the first being semi-portable and 120/240 volt compatible. (you could also get one of the combo machines that will also stick and tig but these dont support AC tig so you cant do aluminum. I would rather have a separate TIG that can do aluminum due to the extra price on the combo rigs) http://store.cyberweld.com/mig.....lders.html
-Get the roughstuff trail welding kit or copy it OR just buy Fred's. http://www.ruffstuffspecialtie.....R2189.html https://posse4x4.org/forum/for-.....ii/#p82261
-Then go on craigslist and get a Lincoln "buzz box" or AC-225 to practice stick welding. (They are only worth about $100 used and sell for ~$300 new) https://sfbay.craigslist.org/e.....53843.html
12:44 pm
Club Member
January 20, 2009
Offline kris_olof said
I dont think I would try and do both home and trail use with one unit. As good as mobile welders are they will never have the capacity and control of a nice home welder. I say a variation on #6.-Since you mentioned a $2k budget the Millermatic 211 is $1,179, ESAB MigMaster 215 pro is $1,646, and the Millermatic 212 is $1,999. All are nice welders with the latter 2 being full size machines and the first being semi-portable and 120/240 volt compatible. (you could also get one of the combo machines that will also stick and tig but these dont support AC tig so you cant do aluminum. I would rather have a separate TIG that can do aluminum due to the extra price on the combo rigs) http://store.cyberweld.com/mig.....lders.html
-Get the roughstuff trail welding kit or copy it OR just buy Fred's. http://www.ruffstuffspecialtie.....R2189.html https://posse4x4.org/forum/for-.....ii/#p82261
-Then go on craigslist and get a Lincoln "buzz box" or AC-225 to practice stick welding. (They are only worth about $100 used and sell for ~$300 new) https://sfbay.craigslist.org/e.....3.html
Thanks Kris! That's the type of info I was looking for. 🙂
8:09 pm
Club Member
September 3, 2008
Offline Personally, I think the best welder is the one you can use comfortably in trail conditions. I have seen a few times were people spend hours making a repair to only drive 10 feet and have it break again.
Having it out on the trail is one thing but knowing how to use it is another.
Um...what?
8:32 pm
April 10, 2015
Offline
Gregulator said
Personally, I think the best welder is the one you can use comfortably in trail conditions. I have seen a few times were people spend hours making a repair to only drive 10 feet and have it break again.Having it out on the trail is one thing but knowing how to use it is another.
Good point, it takes a lot of practice to be a mediocre welder!
8:35 pm
Club Member
July 14, 2016
Offline Gregulator said
Personally, I think the best welder is the one you can use comfortably in trail conditions. I have seen a few times were people spend hours making a repair to only drive 10 feet and have it break again.Having it out on the trail is one thing but knowing how to use it is another.
One of my sons is a welder. He complains about welding at my house because I don’t have a 220 volt outlet in my garage. He says you need 220 to make quality welds, especially on thicker steel. I’m not knowledgeable about welding but from what I have gathered from my son, if you make a trail repair it is just to get you home so that it can be redone properly later. So a trail welder and home welder are two different things. If your priority is to be able to make trail repairs, then I suggest you focus on a trail welder and consider a good home welder in the future. I can probably get my son to do some welding instruction if anyone's interested.
8:49 pm
April 10, 2015
Offline I'm
Jeff_R said
One of my sons is a welder. He complains about welding at my house because I don’t have a 220 volt outlet in my garage. He says you need 220 to make quality welds, especially on thicker steel. I’m not knowledgeable about welding but from what I have gathered from my son, if you make a trail repair it is just to get you home so that it can be redone properly later. So a trail welder and home welder are two different things. If your priority is to be able to make trail repairs, then I suggest you focus on a trail welder and consider a good home welder in the future. I can probably get my son to do some welding instruction if anyone's interested.
well I don't know about that, I built a massive pipe rack for a Ford f 350 stake bed with a Miller 180 that we use for work. I'll show you pictures the next time I see you!
10:42 am
July 14, 2016
Offline Jeff_R said
I can probably get my son to do some welding instruction if anyone's interested.
I'm in especially if it's later this year when we'll finally be home. I have been thinking of taking some welding classes at Sierra college when we get out of here. I know how to weld but can always use more info on it cause I am no pro welder
11:21 am
Club Trailmaster
March 13, 2015
Offline Darrell and Jill said
well I don't know about that, I built a massive pipe rack for a Ford f 350 stake bed with a Miller 180 that we use for work. I'll show you pictures the next time I see you!
Miller 180 is a 220 welder, ask me how I know. 
(technically the US uses 240 volts but old vernacular is hard to erase)
5:04 pm
Club Member
August 17, 2014
Offline Jeff_R said
One of my sons is a welder. He complains about welding at my house because I don’t have a 220 volt outlet in my garage. He says you need 220 to make quality welds, especially on thicker steel. I’m not knowledgeable about welding but from what I have gathered from my son, if you make a trail repair it is just to get you home so that it can be redone properly later. So a trail welder and home welder are two different things. If your priority is to be able to make trail repairs, then I suggest you focus on a trail welder and consider a good home welder in the future. I can probably get my son to do some welding instruction if anyone's interested.
I would love to learn how to weld!! I will never do it on a trail or be a pro but I love learning that skill!
6:41 am
May 4, 2004
Offline Josh said
Did you ping Fred to see if his portable welder is still for sale? Maybe he will give you the former Posse deal.
If you decide to go the Ready Welder route, mine's still available.
8:16 pm
June 11, 2015
Offline Check out the battery operated welder from fronius. It would be more than enough power for trail repairs. And you can plug it in to 110 and use it at home. It's not cheep but very capable.
8:31 pm
June 11, 2015
Offline Bretjk07 said
Check out the battery operated welder from fronius. It would be more than enough power for trail repairs. And you can plug it in to 110 and use it at home. It's not cheep but very capable.
Just a pint of clarification 220 is always the way to go if you have it. However this varies depending on what process you are doing. Ex. You can weld 1/4 inch plate (single pass) at around 120ish to 140. amps with a stick welder. To make the same weld with mig you would need around a 180 to 200 amp machine and be cranking it up. Obviously mig is much easier to learn, and I love it on thin and non critical stuff. It's not always the best option. Especially in a trail repair situation. They say mig stands for "Maybee It's Good" hahaha
If anybody wants to learn or has questions hit me up. I'm currently training to be a pipe welder, everything that we do gets x-ray and hydro testing, so while I'm not at the pro level yet I will be soon
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