Greetings from the central coast!

[breakneckmot]

Hi all, I run a small moto shop out of my garage just fixing/parting out motorcycles. I do other odd-jobs when I can find them as well. I work as an automation specialist full time for the Superior court system here in California. Growing up my grandpa had a shop and did a lot of dirt track racing. He taught me to weld, but around the time I turned 15 I lost interest and hadn't held a torch for almost 11 years. I picked up a cheapo Harbor freight FCAW welder and got hooked again. I'm pinching my pennies right now for a Powertig 225LX, I'm hoping to have enough for one in a couple months.

[johnnymg]

Big greets to you and good luck with the penny pinching. Hanging out here will get you more addicted than ever!

FWIW, we passed through Los Osos when my wife and I biked down the coast a few years ago. I remember it being a nice little community. We found a big pile of coins (in the middle of an intersection) in Lompoc so maybe you should head down there for some prospecting!

cheers
JohnG

[Mr120]

Hi all, I run a small moto shop out of my garage just fixing/parting out motorcycles. I do other odd-jobs when I can find them as well. I work as an automation specialist full time for the Superior court system here in California. Growing up my grandpa had a shop and did a lot of dirt track racing. He taught me to weld, but around the time I turned 15 I lost interest and hadn't held a torch for almost 11 years. I picked up a cheapo Harbor freight FCAW welder and got hooked again. I'm pinching my pennies right now for a Powertig 225LX, I'm hoping to have enough for one in a couple months.

Welcome to the forum. It's pretty easy getting hooked on welding. Even when life intervenes and you don't do it for a long while, once you strike an arc it is hard not to want more.

[breakneckmot]

Big greets to you and good luck with the penny pinching. Hanging out here will get you more addicted than ever!

FWIW, we passed through Los Osos when my wife and I biked down the coast a few years ago. I remember it being a nice little community. We found a big pile of coins (in the middle of an intersection) in Lompoc so maybe you should head down there for some prospecting!

cheers
JohnG

Haha, we actually own a metal detector and go treasure hunting occasionally. My wife loves to work on bikes and is pretty much my right hand. She wants to learn to weld too, what a woman! We're both going to attend a class at the local community college next year.

Welcome to the forum. It's pretty easy getting hooked on welding. Even when life intervenes and you don't do it for a long while, once you strike an arc it is hard not to want more.

I probably never would have quit but after a few accidents my mom wouldn't let me race anymore. It was no fun building go fast machines for other people. Now I'm older with my own shop and live 2500 miles away from my mom... Go fast machines are my bread and butter!

[zoama]

Welcome to the forum... feel free to post some projects when you get the time.

[redbeard]

Greetings! Hope you can post up some project pics. We'd all love to see 'em.

[everlastsupport]

Good pick on the machine. The 200DX and 250EX are nice as well. All of the Everlast AC/DC lineup will meet your needs I'm sure.

I normally cover my wrecks with a cat ran across the road, etc. But if she knew you were at a track, well. She know where it happen. I had a number of skate board accidents when I raced. Looking forward to you work, hope you get the funds together soon.

As I get older I find going fast it not good for my health (or will not be one day).

My youngest is thinking about the local CC for extra credits (he's been welding for 5-6 years). The price for the consumables here are quite reasonable at the local CC.

[everlastsupport]

Breakneckmot,

Not sure if you saw this or the Cali footprint. We do not get a lot of used units for sale, but saw this one.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...00-dx-for-sale!!

[breakneckmot]

Good pick on the machine. The 200DX and 250EX are nice as well. All of the Everlast AC/DC lineup will meet your needs I'm sure.

I normally cover my wrecks with a cat ran across the road, etc. But if she knew you were at a track, well. She know where it happen. I had a number of skate board accidents when I raced. Looking forward to you work, hope you get the funds together soon.

As I get older I find going fast it not good for my health (or will not be one day).

My youngest is thinking about the local CC for extra credits (he's been welding for 5-6 years). The price for the consumables here are quite reasonable at the local CC.

Yeah, mom was there when I wrecked... She'd never attended a race before and watching me low side doing 80mph ended my motorcycle racing career. I'm looking into possibly building a dirt-track car or a rally-cross vehicle. I only ride bikes for fun now. Either way I have to finish restoring my wife's 1963 Tbird before I'm allowed to have my own project. I've always wanted to be a better welder and I think the local CC also offers certifications. I'll have to see about consumables, I think the LWS is an Airgas dealer and I haven't tried pricing consumables through them yet.

Breakneckmot,

Not sure if you saw this or the Cali footprint. We do not get a lot of used units for sale, but saw this one.

http://www.everlastgenerators.com/fo...00-dx-for-sale!!

Thanks for the heads up. I think the 225 is about the lowest I want to go. I really wanted the 250 but I just can't justify the extra cost.

[everlastsupport]

Yeah, mom was there when I wrecked... She'd never attended a race before and watching me low side doing 80mph ended my motorcycle racing career. I'm looking into possibly building a dirt-track car or a rally-cross vehicle. I only ride bikes for fun now. Either way I have to finish restoring my wife's 1963 Tbird before I'm allowed to have my own project. I've always wanted to be a better welder and I think the local CC also offers certifications. I'll have to see about consumables, I think the LWS is an Airgas dealer and I haven't tried pricing consumables through them yet.

Thanks for the heads up. I think the 225 is about the lowest I want to go. I really wanted the 250 but I just can't justify the extra cost.

Air gas here is a joke, but I hear other swear by them, so the luck of the draw. Check with Oleg, we sell some consumables too.

Best to talk to Oleg, he can make a deal (on a 250 probably).

Weldingcity and river-weld.com are great places if we don't have what you are looking for and willing to wait. The LWS is "I need it now and will pay". Then online is for the deals. Might want to get yours with a WP-9 if you are waiting on a cooler for later or get a stubby and gas kit. It will get you in tighter places and better gas spread. Normally $70 or less.

Never take your Mom to a race. hahahaha.. Mine would have freaked. Funny, my Dad would cover for me too. But four wheels for me these days...

[breakneckmot]

Air gas here is a joke, but I hear other swear by them, so the luck of the draw. Check with Oleg, we sell some consumables too.

Best to talk to Oleg, he can make a deal (on a 250 probably).

Weldingcity and river-weld.com are great places if we don't have what you are looking for and willing to wait. The LWS is "I need it now and will pay". Then online is for the deals. Might want to get yours with a WP-9 if you are waiting on a cooler for later or get a stubby and gas kit. It will get you in tighter places and better gas spread. Normally $70 or less.

Never take your Mom to a race. hahahaha.. Mine would have freaked. Funny, my Dad would cover for me too. But four wheels for me these days...

Awesome info! I'm definitely going to give Oleg a call when I have all my ducks in a row. I just don't want to waste his time until I'm ready to buy. I'm definitely planning to buy a cooler with the welder and I wanted to get the smaller size torch. I was considering a CK but I wanted to wait until I spoke with Oleg before I made any serious plans. It's nice to see you guys are so active and easy to contact. Most of the whining I read online about Everlast was the whole it's not from 'Murica bit and how you wouldn't be easy to get in touch with. I'm glad to see that customer service is something I can definitely count on.

[everlastsupport]

We are here everyday on the forum. So getting help is not an issue. It is Saturday 8:40 EST

[youngnstudly]

Welcome to the forum! I've been welding since I was around 14 as well, and it's funny to think that even all those years when I didn't have access to a welder, I still thought about welding and all the projects I had dreamed of building as a teenager. Welding is a skill (much like painting or drawing) which lets your imagination run wild! If I recall correctly, someone on here (Oleg, Mark, or Mike) mentioned that Everlast would be discontinuing the 225LX, so that may push you into the 250 instead ( OH NOOOO! Not more power!!!!).

I fully agree with Airgas being a joke! When it comes time for you to purchase an Argon cylinder, CALL AROUND! I did after making my initial purchase of supplies at Airgas, and I wished I had investigated further the first time! As Mike mentioned, Welding City and river-weld are good suppliers, and I had good luck buying some select items from Arc-zone as well. Good luck on getting your new welder, and post pics of your welding projects when you begin welding again. Always happy to see the forum growing, especially when it involves racing or vintage cars. Never take your mother to a race, and never drive reckless with your GF or wife in the car! Women never forget ANYTHING.....EVER! And the worst part is that they never let you forget that they still remember everything stupid you've ever done!

Andy

[redbeard]

Awesome info! I'm definitely going to give Oleg a call when I have all my ducks in a row. I just don't want to waste his time until I'm ready to buy.

Same here, he's a great guy to talk to, I don't know how he finds enough hours in the day. One tip I've picked up is that early in the week is the best time to call.

[breakneckmot]

Welcome to the forum! I've been welding since I was around 14 as well, and it's funny to think that even all those years when I didn't have access to a welder, I still thought about welding and all the projects I had dreamed of building as a teenager. Welding is a skill (much like painting or drawing) which lets your imagination run wild! If I recall correctly, someone on here (Oleg, Mark, or Mike) mentioned that Everlast would be discontinuing the 225LX, so that may push you into the 250 instead ( OH NOOOO! Not more power!!!!).

I fully agree with Airgas being a joke! When it comes time for you to purchase an Argon cylinder, CALL AROUND! I did after making my initial purchase of supplies at Airgas, and I wished I had investigated further the first time! As Mike mentioned, Welding City and river-weld are good suppliers, and I had good luck buying some select items from Arc-zone as well. Good luck on getting your new welder, and post pics of your welding projects when you begin welding again. Always happy to see the forum growing, especially when it involves racing or vintage cars. Never take your mother to a race, and never drive reckless with your GF or wife in the car! Women never forget ANYTHING.....EVER! And the worst part is that they never let you forget that they still remember everything stupid you've ever done!

Andy

I know what you mean, I can't tell you how many times I've said, " IF I had a welder I could fix that!" Now I've got 2 and a list of things to fix/make longer than my arm! I'm hoping to start building a welding table tomorrow, I'll make sure I post lots of pics. Good info on Airgas, the only other welding supply place near me is Praxair. I'm going to make some calls next Tuesday on my day off and shop around for a good deal.

My wife is awesome when it comes to cars/motorcycles/racing. We're actually restoring a 1963 Thunderbird for her together. When I get some free time I'll try and start a thread for it. It's not all welding, but there will definitely be some involved.

Same here, he's a great guy to talk to, I don't know how he finds enough hours in the day. One tip I've picked up is that early in the week is the best time to call.

I could do with about 8 more hours in the day myself! I figured he was a pretty busy guy but I'm definitely going to give him a hollar when I've got all my ducks in a row.

[youngnstudly]

I know what you mean, I can't tell you how many times I've said, " IF I had a welder I could fix that!" Now I've got 2 and a list of things to fix/make longer than my arm! I'm hoping to start building a welding table tomorrow, I'll make sure I post lots of pics. Good info on Airgas, the only other welding supply place near me is Praxair. I'm going to make some calls next Tuesday on my day off and shop around for a good deal.

My wife is awesome when it comes to cars/motorcycles/racing. We're actually restoring a 1963 Thunderbird for her together. When I get some free time I'll try and start a thread for it. It's not all welding, but there will definitely be some involved.

The problem with the longer list of things to fix or make is that you need a longer list of tools to fix or make them with! Pretty soon you're building your own tools just so you can finish your next project without buying tooling you can't afford. Definitely take pics of your welding table! I like seeing how others accomplish the same task after starting with a blank slate. Gets my creative juices going. Praxair might be a good place to deal with. I've never used them personally, but anything has to be better than Airgas....At least I'd hope so. Do your homework and hopefully you will get taken to the cleaners that the nice Ma and Pa run, not the one high on the hill that the rich snobs run!