Author	[Modern View]
dave2 07-02-2012 13:36:56 139.139.35.69 Report to Moderator	Hey folks... I have a little buzzbox and can weld enough to get by for some tinkering and small repairs.... Not real good with thin stuff tho.... Next "project" is an old galvanized water tank that froze and split about 6ft along the top seam. I sucked it together with cargo straps and spotted it a couple places, but need to seal it up... 230 volt inverter welders are on sale at a local shop. Will an inverter box be easier to use than the traditional arc welder for a guy with minimal skills??? I like the idea because they are smaller and more portable. And thinking (??) that they will take less power so I could use them with a portable generator to put a couple portable feeders/shelters on pastures.. Are they that good??? Thanks, Dave [Reply]   [No Email]
eastexan 07-03-2012 15:09:10 98.134.176.233 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to rlp in co., 07-02-2012 13:36:56   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see I'm old school, but IMO the easiest way to weld that thin metal is with a plain ox/acet torch and brazing rod. I've brazed cracks on very thin stuff that way. If you're concerned about breathing the fumes, wait for a day that there is a breeze to blow it away from you. [Reply]  [No Email]
bg/mo 07-03-2012 14:53:11 204.54.154.68 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 13:36:56   Throw that rusted thing away and buy a new one !By the time you get done welding that thing together you will have aquired a new vocab of curse words, and yes withe everyone else galvanized is dangerous to weld cause of the gas [Reply]  [No Email]
BFO 07-03-2012 03:00:42 184.151.61.219 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 13:36:56   Yes the inverter would use less power, and if portability is important, then great, go for it. As for welding galvanized, put a flap disc on your grinder and take the coating off, about 1 inch either side of the seam. Make sure the tank is vented, and wear a proper mask. I would probably back-step weld the seam, so the heat will less likely distort the tank. hth [Reply]  [No Email]
david G 07-02-2012 19:58:07 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 13:36:56   I would agree with the others on the fumes. You could cut a strip on inner tube and make a plate and gasket for it. Drill enough holes to hold it tight. [Reply]  [No Email]
rufus80 07-02-2012 19:12:28 174.253.19.100 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 13:36:56   You don't want to weld galvanized metal unless you have proper safety equipment. Gives off toxic fumes and will make you sick. Google welding galvanized metal and you can read the side effects. [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 07-02-2012 20:42:57 139.139.35.69 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to rufus80, 07-02-2012 19:12:28   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see This thing is 50 +/- (???) years old... Think it is still dangerous? It's not THAT important to weld it... [Reply]  [No Email]
satsop 07-02-2012 18:59:57 216.223.16.51 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 13:36:56   Dave Welding galvanised can be bad. Some pro welders won't touch it. Maybe some of the real welders will chime in. JIM [Reply]  [No Email]
Puddles 07-03-2012 02:21:40 24.113.77.208 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to satsop, 07-02-2012 18:59:57   I spent the majority of my life in marine construction, building bridges and container ship, ferry docks. I've been galvanized poisoned at least a dozen times. Sure the first 24-hours can be miserable! But studies show there is no long term effects. Don't believe me? Call the Poison Control Center in Atlanta GA. Maybe someone can explain to me how in this case an inverter welder would be better? I'm new to this welding hobby, but I own several inverters, transformer, and generator welders, in this case I just don't see the advantage of one over the other. I think it gets down to the proper choice of process. [Reply]  [No Email]
Stick welding 07-03-2012 20:44:14 96.53.210.246 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to Puddles, 07-03-2012 02:21:40   I think the inverter would be easier to use just cause it would be DC current but that just might make you burn holes a lot faster because you could actually hold an arc. LoL [Reply]  [No Email]
Puddles 07-02-2012 18:02:47 24.113.77.208 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 13:36:56   Something this thin, you better be a dam good stick weldor! I suggest you borrow a Mig welder. [Reply]  [No Email]
david G 07-02-2012 15:54:59 205.215.206.18 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 13:36:56   Is that an unpressurized water tank? [Reply]  [No Email]
dave2 07-02-2012 15:56:18 139.139.35.69 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to david G, 07-02-2012 15:54:59   Yea, just a 400 or so gallon tank on a wagon that I fill for the pasture.. [Reply]  [No Email]
504 07-02-2012 20:48:44 64.111.61.44 Report to Moderator	Re: inverter welder??? in reply to dave2, 07-02-2012 15:56:18   Inverters are the way to go. A 115v unit you can carry in a large lunch box,the 220v are suite case size. [Reply]  [No Email]