blight1234
New member
Does anyone have a on board welder on there rig? I am new to welding and dont have any space in my apartment to keep a welder so I thought an on board one would be a good start. Comments/Concerns/Suggestions????
On board welder
- Thread starter blight1234
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BigBluePile
New member
Why do you need one?
BlackWorksInc
New member
Are you planning on running the welder off the vehicle's alternator or just installing it to be portable with an extension cord to power from a nearby wall socket?
blight1234
New member
I would like to run it off the alternator. My buddys and I are gettting more and more into welding and I dont have a garage to keep a big welder. So I guess my real question would be, would a welder that powered off the alternator be enough for me? If so what brands can I look at?
BigBluePile
New member
...sigh....
So, why EXACTLY do you need an on-board welder? If you need a welder to weld then buy a welder to weld. If your wanting a fancy accessory under the hood to weld trail damage just incase it might happen then plan for that. Here's what RB did: On-Board Welder
So, why EXACTLY do you need an on-board welder? If you need a welder to weld then buy a welder to weld. If your wanting a fancy accessory under the hood to weld trail damage just incase it might happen then plan for that. Here's what RB did: On-Board Welder
blight1234
New member
Again, like I said before I do not have room for a welder in my apartment. Nor do I have a garage to keep a welder in. So I guess I need to ask my question again. Would a on board welder be enough for what i will need it for. It is not just for trail damage, it will be my one and only welder for any day use. Not trying to weld up a roll cage, just for small things. ..Sigh..
KidVermicious
New member
Don't be throwing around snippy dramatic sighs, he's trying to help you. What "small things" are you needing to weld? Do you know how to use a stick welder? How about MIG, do you know what you're doing with it? If you don't have room in your closet for a little 100v hobby welder, then you don't have room for a welding helmet or gloves or slag hammer or clamps or angle grinder or the fifty other things you need to properly weld.
I think you haven't thought this through. To answer your question though, a setup like the Ready Welder running off 12 volts will only do thin sheet metal - you really need 24 to 36 volts in order to get penetration on 1/8th or thicker stock. I have chained two 12v batteries together and was able to make decent welds, and with three batteries you approach "blow holes in 3/16th plate" territory, but just one battery doesn't really cut it.
May I suggest a $10/month storage unit and a proper welding machine?
blight1234
New member
I am new to welding so I do not know much. Wasnt tring to come off like a a** but I guess I did. Sorry about that.
So from what you posted I guess an on board welder isnt going to be strong enough for some of the stuff I will be wanting to do. Thanks
KidVermicious
New member
A skilled welder can make magic happen with the crappiest machines, but a great machine won't make up for lack of skill. I don't think an onboard welder would be a good primary machine for somebody that doesn't have a lot of experience.
BigBluePile
New member
Agreed.
I can weld. For the most part......only after reading books and lots of practicing and video watching and googling. By no means am I a certified welder. Just like what Kid mentioned, there's A LOT more involved than just the welding unit.
You wanna onboard welder? How about two car batteries, a pair of jumper cables and some rod?
Not to keep dragging this on but what kind of "stuff" do you want to weld/fabricate....? Then maybe you can get a more resolved answer to your question.
blight1234
New member
Ive made light bar mounts, fixed a few broken metal lawn chairs, and made a metal box frame for someone. Thats my welding "career". hahah
like this weekend im going to a buddys so he can weld me up a mount for my control box for my winch. Id rather not have to go to his place everytime I need to do something small like this.
like this weekend im going to a buddys so he can weld me up a mount for my control box for my winch. Id rather not have to go to his place everytime I need to do something small like this.
nevada
Senior Member
just got buy a small hobby mig welder. they don't take up that much space, and will do everything you're wanting to do.
BlackWorksInc
New member
Here's the deal, you're not gonna get a very good set-up with a 12v power supply like the 4Runner's. There's a reason almost all on-vehicle welders are on vehicle either running 24volts or with heavy duty converters, because you need juice!
If you're just using the 4Runner to mount/store it and plugging it into the wall when you get to where ever you need to weld; that's cool. You can get a little extension reel, some tie downs, sliding drawer, how ever crazy you want. But you'll need to take into account things like ventilation and fire danger as well as bottle placement and plumbing (depending on what rig you're using.)
If you're just using the 4Runner to mount/store it and plugging it into the wall when you get to where ever you need to weld; that's cool. You can get a little extension reel, some tie downs, sliding drawer, how ever crazy you want. But you'll need to take into account things like ventilation and fire danger as well as bottle placement and plumbing (depending on what rig you're using.)
blight1234
New member
Thanks guys. Im going to look into a small MIG welder.
nevada
Senior Member
ideally, its best welders are not ran on extension cords.
I suppose if it was a heavy duty line, it may work....
good choice.
BigBluePile
New member
Well good luck NOT using an extension cord.
nevada
Senior Member
I understand, and have used them on my welder before also.
but, it does not perform anywhere near what its rated at. it would have to be a pretty badass cord to work correctly.
