I'd have to agree about the wire welders for a first timer. Myself I'm running a DC arc welder, a DC welder/generator gas driven, and 175 Mig from Miller. Both plug in models are 220. If you can afford it I would highly recommend the wire machine. There highly versatile and extremely easy to learn to use.

i agree completely i have a lincon electric arc it runs on 220 ,its 19 years old, it was a pain it the <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/butwiggle.gif" alt="" /> to learn on but if you can get that down a mig would be no problem

Don't mean to pirate, but is it legal to carry those small tanks, one of acetylene and one of oxy, on our rigs? If so, does anyone have any experience with the small oxy acet setup that harbor freight sells? Or would it be better to go to a local welding supply.

Good question to ask about..

One thing I have been told by the folks at Tractor Supply that sells welding gases is that the cylinders MUST be securely transported standing upright versus laying down.. There are huge dollar amount fines if you are caught violating..

Guess this is so the valve is not down in liquid contents which would make a huge difference in escape rate if the valve were to leak... or be damaged in an accident..

One thing to keep in mind with CO2 (as in CO2/argon shielding gases or the CO2 bottles people carry to air up tires with) is while is is not flammable, you could easily die from asphyxiation if there was much of a leak in a confined area.. From what I've read, you loose consciousness w/o warning as with carbon monoxide.

Propane for example expands from a liquid to a gas at a volume rate of 270:1.. So a small liquid leak would present a huge gas volume..

I'm familiar with NFPA 58 which is the fire code for propane.. very stringent regulations when dealing with compressed gases in liquid form vs gaseous form..

btw the little propane torch/oxygen bottles (i.e. Bernz-o-matic) have specific exemptions, at least in NFPA58, regarding transport, storing in your house, etc due to their small size.. Any larger cylinder has to meet increased requirements/prohibitions.

Maybe some one else has more specifics on the transportation laws...

Just happens that I'm going to a welding supply store this morning.. I'll see what they have to say...

Thanks, this has been a question i've been thinking of for a long time. Gas welding is more portable, and more capabilities than carying around a mig setup on a rig, with the gas set-up being able to cut, bend, and weld, it just seems like the right choice for the on the trail fix for me anyway having more experience with gas, but the question of laws and transportation always comes up, especially in CA. I'm sure it wouldnt be too difficult to have a hard mount area on the rig to keep it safe, especially in a pickup, no worries of the leaks causing you to loose conciousness.

I talked to the guy at the welding supply today... if you plan to transport any cylinder away from the store inside an enclosed vehicle, you have to sign a release of liability waiver before they will sell you the gas...

Obviously they want it transported in the open outside the vehicle.. so a pickup as you mention would fill the bill..

He gave the impression that the laws and fines are more applicable to larger cylinders and mentioned that they stay away from the larger cylinders for that reason.

btw they had a large poster on the wall with pics of three vehicles blown into an unrecognizble mass from welding cylinder accidents.. None of the vehicles were burned by fire.. just the force of high pressure release....no details of course..

Still would like to hear from someone who's really up on this subject... others??

I suppose that would lead you to your first welding project- a bed rack, with the hardware and tiedowns specific to transporting your cylinders.

I think the magic number is the 100# bottle, as this size propane bottle for the home user is common, esp up here. I'm like you tho', would need to look up 49 CFR on that one.