Can I Start Welding With Only $200?

Welding tools don't have to break the bank, but did we take it too far?
See Jeff's $200 kit on Mech Master:
• $200 Welder Challenge ...
Learn to weld with my affordable online course: courses.timwelds.com
Items in this video:
Welding Machine: amzn.to/3Q4Rmy4
Welding Helmet: amzn.to/3P0ZSwD
Welding Gloves: amzn.to/3BG7Zf6
Grinder Kit: amzn.to/3Q1EiJQ
Square: www.harborfreight.com/4-in-1-...
Magnet Squares: www.harborfreight.com/4-3-4-q...
Tape Measure: www.harborfreight.com/16-ft-x...
Chipping Hammer: www.harborfreight.com/welding...
7018 Electrodes: www.harborfreight.com/332-in-...
6011 Electrodes: www.harborfreight.com/332-in-...
Drill Press Vise: www.harborfreight.com/4-inch-...
Some of the above links provide a small commission to support the making of these videos at no cost to you.

[@giovanniorengo]

I have that same welding machine and it works 100% I have already done several welding jobs whoever wants to buy it I recommend it

[@dykeinator2.015]

I actually bought that same exact welder and watched his videos and I learned how to weld with that welder in a day between that cheap welder and his videos I just found my brand new hobby

[@RichBeRanting]

@DYKEINATOR 2.0 how much would i have to pay to get started from 0?

[@shTree]

@@RichBeRanting 200$

[@RichBeRanting]

@@shTree any idea where i could start?

[@shTree]

@@RichBeRanting I mean the video shows a pretty comprehensive setup. This entire channel is a fantastic resource if you want to get into welding

[@MadGunner]

Tim - this is one of your best videos! Quick, concise, and incredibly useful on many levels - for new welders, for low-budget kits, and for a straightforward project generating real value from the investment in tools, material and time. Maybe next time include acetone to clean the metal, add a bit of paint to finish the metal, and some Minwax to seal and protect the wood (avoiding stains from placing drinks on the table, etc.). Another useful tool - add a wire wheel for the grinder to clean welds, better than a chipping hammer. Please do more project-based videos! Your comfortable manner is very approachable and easy to watch. Much appreciated!!! Keep up the great work!

[@jf7393]

200k! Great video. The idea of empowering people to fabricate and "make" on a tight budget is dear to my heart. It's a shame that materials themselves are so costly these days. I just paid $100 for 20' of 2x2 .125 wall square tube. I'm trying to work with scrap and repurpose things as much as possible these days. Keep up the good work.

[@PoorRoleModel]

Just ordered my own set up, based off this list, with my own kind of preferences, off Amazon. Got the 100 dollar hone welder at "full price," got a face cover, 4 pack magnet set, etc. So I definitely varied a little bit, but used this as a basic guide.. 282 after taxes, to include consumables. This video was pretty much the last straw. I got all the things, now I got no excuses. Im a fairly clever fella, so if I'm not welding by this time next year from your videos, I'm going to have some complaints. Haha Thanks for the videos!

[@c2thew]

Really really well done video. You’re opening up a huge market for hobby welders

[@a.r1832]

Absolutely! He is a God send.

[@charlieboutin3341]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge on welding! Really helps us beginners out a lot. Just got the Harbor Freight table and thinking about building my own also.🙂 I’m going to get some of those magnet squares and a drill press vice and a few extra clamps today.👍👍 Have a great weekend Tim! ⚡️

[@Tubeagrutis]

Great stuff, Tim!!! This is just a great concept for a video. I'm going to be sending it to my buddies who've shown interest in welding and ask what it takes to get started for a home/hobby welder.

[@ryan0150]

Dude you really put here helping future welders man thank you.

[@austinmiller6634]

Just wanted to say I appreciate your videos! I've wanted to dip my toe into the world of welding for a while now, and after this video I think I'm going to pull the trigger finally! Might stretch the budget a bit past $200, but I'm glad to know that I can get started without dropping $500+.

[@cchemmes-seeseeart3948]

Wow. This video was a gold mine of help for me in desiring to begin welding for my art projects. Yall are awesome! Thanks.

[@-DIYPRO-]

Awesome video! Both tables turned out great! 😉

[@philoalethia]

This was just an awesome video and example of how someone (like me) could get started welding without spending thousands of dollars. Thank you for making this.

[@donaldhalls2189]

Thanks for the information again, all the best to yous and your loved ones

[@AJ-qv9yo]

Super informative. I bought the same welder, and shield (langer window) because I just want to learn some basics and play around. Never welded before and always wanted to try. A 40-year dream comes true. :) The welder can obviously do the basic things and that is enough for me. I had wished for some more dos-and don'ts and what the little wonder toy cannot do. The table project is great. I'll try the same.

[@SilverTreasures]

Best “how to weld in 10 minutes” video I could find. Thank you! Buying supplies today.

[@modestextreme]

Man those Vulcan electrodes burn nicely! After you get started the Vulcan hood at harbour freight is a fantastic investment for $150. Worth every penny!

[@neogx148]

I'll have to give those Vulcans a try

[@volvogt21]

Just the sort of video I need. Thank you

[@ajoshmiller]

This was a great video, thanks Tim!

[@neogx148]

I'm a newbie and been slowly been getting piece by piece from ur recommendations. So I could have a good set up thanks for this video saw a couple more stuff to get ! And nice tip with the razer blade. Should do a video with just buying accessories not including the welder

[@bb4l881]

Tim.. I'm not sure if I should be singing your praises here or slagging you off right now. Why? Because some time ago, I asked you a question about what welding machine you thought I might be able to pick up on my very limited budget of around £250. You (and someone else in the comments section) pretty much laughed in my face. And here you are today promoting the fact that one can get into welding on said limited budget. I have to tell you, I did get into welding on my £250 welding machine budget and I'm so glad that I did. My 200a machine (bought from Midlands based company "Static Arc" here in the UK) was purchased for £250. It's a mig, tig and stick +/- polarity with 60% duty cycle, and I could not be happier with its performance. I found your comment answer to my question to you a little hurtful, but as my late father always used to say to me... Don't let anyone tell you "it can't be done", and closely followed by "Where there's a Will, There's a Way". And so Tim, I think I'm going to finish off by saying, thank you. Because it's thanks to your negative comments that I've been spurred on, so thanks Chum, or should I say Chump 👍🙂

[@dc0413]

is was an cellent VIDEO! tHANK YOU both SO MUCH FOR THIS! I am just starting to expore an interest in welding, trying to justify the costs with whether this may be a good second-career type option so seeing your video and this project was definitely something ti help not just inspire but motivate. Again, great video and thank you!

[@erlpen2016]

This is so far the best video on how to start welding…thank you for making it…

[@jackr2287]

I appreciate how concise this is. Few thoughts, as someone who isn't as crunched for cash: 1. I wouldn't skimp on a welding hood, if only to ensure I get something that protects my eyes. 2. If I have an existing fleet of tools... I'd get a corresponding one of that set, for an angle grinder. Maybe. Depends I suppose on if I elected corded or cordless. Maybe a cheap corded would do the job just fine. Or maybe a better quality if you have other projects (like sharpening tools) could justify a better grinder. And just to be clear, I don't have any experience. I clicked to learn, but am still foggy on basics, but would like to pickup a skill or trade I could explore an interest in, and maintain my own stuff. Will probably go out and pick some of these tools up from HF tomorrow.

[@AdrianHeinUY]

Great review!

[@DisTYM]

Im interested in welding as a 21 year old now, just found you video and since your a fellow Tim I gotta subscribe.

[@Shifty_Cent]

i have the arc205ds very similar. It works pretty good. I had the advantage of working at a fab shop so i scored a grinder and some solid material to make a good table.

[@SEXYTECH1000]

ANOTHER GREAT VIDEO TIM.

[@chadbrown354]

Super helpful video. Thank you guys

[@juniorlewis9173]

I really like this tutorial. Thank you, my gang.

[@calimesacox]

Just ordered my Yeswelder. And can't wait to it in my hands.. I am put it to work

[@desb9639]

Super video Tim, thank you.

[@khurramehsan5265]

Hi! Tim, your way of explaining is very good. Thanks from sialkot pakistan

[@oldschool8432]

Terrific video. Had no idea a small welder can be bought for so little money. For many years i used a mig at midas muffler shop

[@MrJosh1282]

This whole video has a slight feel of, "So easy you are obviously lazy or stupid if you cant make money with this $200 entry into a legitimate trade". I love it.

[@jimlebiedz5723]

Good job the both of you!

[@IRV707]

Very instructive, I appreciate it. I want to get into welding. Maybe you can make another video of how to actually use the machine and how to weld? Id appreciate it. Thanks

[@davewheeler5850]

Awesome video, really enjoyable 🇦🇺

[@rogertaylor8615]

That's pretty cool and it'll work for learning

[@brianpite0893]

That was excellent!

[@codyway7424]

Hi Tim, I enjoy your videos geared to help the hobbyist. I have a video idea that you may be interested in. Low budget carbon arc gouging. Most hobbyists have a basic 160 ampish inverter stick and an air compressor. I have thought about picking up a cheap amazon $50 carbon arc torch and giving it a go. Could be a useful tool

[@AkosLukacs42]

❤ For telling the dimensions in metric as well! 👍

[@butchvandyk1051]

very inspirational video thanx for showing a bit on leveling and squaring your project i still work on a concrete floor lol

[@melgross]

Dangerous. I wish you luck, but concrete can spall and shoot concrete bits at your face from the instantaneous high heat boiling the water out of the surface of the concrete.

[@zacharysmith6417]

I too use the same welder. Been having a hard time restriking; it's nice to know from a pro that it isn't just me, it's partially the machine. Other than that it works pretty well for me, but yeah a MIG machine would be way easier for thin stuff.

[@Trippyrips556]

Do you think it would be good for making a go kart?

[@projetsterna]

Thank you so much for this video! I'm planning to learn welding very soon and your channel is very helpful. Do you have an idea of the cost if to start with mig? Again a big thank you!

[@m.o.f8720]

Just seconding and joining with earlier comments complimenting your channel. New to the channel. Really like the content and presentation. 👍👍

[@n9wox]

"I can still see. That's good news." 😎

[@jvazquez53]

Good video!

[@ricksolari9570]

Great video!

[@rcs0296]

great video

[@mattwarrensocal]

Looks like you used the better ground clamp from HF which costs $8. BUSTED! Very educational on building a table too - thanks!

[@Daniel_D_King]

in the uk we can get cheap parkside arc and fluxcore welders from aldi, they are low power, but cheap and cheerful.

[@markwoten6679]

Pretty good video. I recently got a Mig machine to work on my 79 F150. I got time on my hands to do some much needed metal work. Any other recommendations of basic tools?

[@chefboythc]

I bought that same machine a few months ago...pretty solid, better than the 65 dollar amazon welder by far

[@alfeldeguadalajara....7012]

" I can still see" hahahaha 😂 saludos desde Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico

[@jvmiller1995]

I think if you have any kind of confidence you can do this and will like it you will be monety ahead to buy at least a small mig. You can always start out with flux core but for a few bucks later on you can add a bottle of 75/25 and really enjoy. After a welder and grinder I would consider a chop saw and maybe a second & better grinder. I have a really good grinder for removing metal and a far less powerful few and cheaper ones I use a cut off wheel on or a flap wheel of wire wheel. I have 4 little ones and one big one. Then after that various clamps and a good bench vise if you do not own one. Then I would look at a possible oxy cutting/welding reg. I run my with a propane tip and use a BBQ bottle to fuel it and only need to buy oxygen. This is a somewhat expensive investment and perhaps if you have good compressed air a small plasma makes good sense to a person instead. But a good oxy/gas rig is priceless when you really need to cut something thick fast or need to put a lot of good heat down to bend or move metal. Nothing else compares. I have so many more tools and fixture tabes I want to get. A lot depends on what you are building and why you bought your welding machine.

[@rocketstovesrock365]

Liked this one!

[@SkinnyWaterVibes]

Well done. You covered all of the trolls nonsense with using a concrete floor. 😂

[@YoKeymari]

I wanna practice welding do i have to get a specific table? Or how does grounding work?

[@apexcustomsmokers]

Good video Tim, I would just like to play the Nervous Nelly and suggest a passive hood at that price point, eyesight is WAY TOO IMPORTANT to leave up to a cheap auto darkening hood that may crap out during a weld and sunburn your retinas. Even here in 🇨🇦 a good passive weld hood goes for $24.99. Would be even cheaper south of the border. Just my 2 cents....

[@jvazquez53]

I just gave away a cheap auto darkening helmet that is about 5 years old and never failed. Only bad thing about this helmet: it as not true color.

[@MrOldclunker]

Passive helmet lenses fail over time and people don't realize this. Make sure t replace your lens with a "fresh" lens and not one laying around on a shelf. The auto darkening helmets are not without fault, but neither are the old passive helmets when you have accidental touches and arc flashes.

[@BeaucheminPNW]

I’m looking to ad longer leads for my 200amp stick machine would a 1/0 wire be ok to use 15ft. ?

[@domsvlog8697]

Thanks for sharing sir. I hope my channel grows like yours, watching from 🇵🇭

[@Djfktngkvkfrr]

i want to weld in some patch panels on my vehicles in my driveway, will this work or should i buy something better,

[@andystansbury8576]

going to upgrade a little need to stay under $300 the 2 machines I have been looking at are the vevor 270a multi function and the azzuno 200a multi function which would you recommend or is there another multi function you would recommend.

[@SlingerBob]

Is this welder 240V? or can you use it with a normal 120

[@reloadnorth7722]

The U.S. is lucky to have so many price friendly options. We get a free rectal reaming here in Canada on everything.

[@miszced]

Huh? Don't like shopping at Princess Auto? Would be the closest match to harbor freight, eh!

[@williamsl798]

I concur; I just finished price matching on Amzn Canada and Princess Auto, the only products I couldn't get exact matches for were the grinder kit (I picked the "MANUSAGE" brand) and the 7018s (only available in 2kg packs at PA for 3/32), and with ON taxes at both sites--as well as shipping from PA, since the subtotal was under $100--I ended up with a grand total of $392.85CAD ($303.66USD), where Tim spent $248.40CAD. It would be even worse for the Québécois with their 14.975% taxes, and that's for mostly identical products!

[@timothyrouse2853]

come to australia and see how we are ripped off

[@williamsl798]

@@timothyrouse2853 Ouch, you're not wrong; your dollar is worth even less than ours, and if you want to buy any welder on Amazon, the only one available is $2044.72AUS ($1842.11CAD or 1424.51USD), but that same welder would only cost me $1299CAD. On the upside, you could actually use it on any outlet in your home, whereas I'd have to unplug either my oven or my clothes dryer, since those are the only 220V outlets in my home. Looks like you pay 10% GST across the country, as well, which doesn't seem too bad to me in Onterrible (13%) but would be twice Alberta's rate.

[@miszced]

@@williamsl798 quite the exchange rate $392.85cn VS $303.66us. But dang, your provincial sales tax of 12% for Ontario. What I don't get how on lottery wins, ZERO taxes. Difficult to imagine the loss of an easy winfall income tax for the Federal Gov.

[@mrdddeeezzzweldor5039]

Although this bargain basement equipment exercise has practical application when money is tight and maybe someone is not sure welding is something to pursue long term, I always suggest that going strait to an entry level (or better) MIG or multi-process machine is the best approach. Flexibility, quality and ease of welding will pay off in the long run.

[@MrOldclunker]

Don't knock them until you have tried them. You may just be spending more for your pride and a name.

[@PoorRoleModel]

Can 100% say that as someone who has never tried it before, but wanting to... Cheap stick is absolutely something I will more easily be talked into compared against more cost. If I hate it, and I'm only down 200 bucks, I'll feel less screwed than if just the machine itself cost 200 bucks. If I love it, then upgrading is all another part of the fun and adventure.

[@terryleonard8639]

Do have to have a welding table? Can you do it on the ground/cement?

[@Ed19601]

I started for 61 euro's 30 for the stickwelder and 30 for the helmet. 1 euro for the magnetic angle in a recycle store. Already had an angle grinder

[@rexmann1984]

Would it be possible for you to make a playlist of all your videos concerning aluminum welding?

[@TimWelds]

That’s a great suggestion! I usually just group them by process. Thanks!

[@ezazulhaque5816]

TIG welding or mig welding is mostly used in ship construction ?

[@jackr2287]

Oh, and something I've seen someone do to get cleaner welds, is use masking tape or other materials, to prevent splash. Advoko Makes is the fellow I saw it from.

[@samsquid9138]

welding👏jacket👏

[@basilwatson1]

I bought the cheapest mig welder i could find ...only thing i requested was it had to use gas... Hitbox .... Mig ... I didnt expect much.....😅. But damn it works fine .. for how long i dont know ..... But i use it for all those " glue two bits of metal together". Jobs around the house .. i even ran it of my generator at 22 amp ..to glue a gate hinge on .. ...

[@jackhodges310]

I was surprised, having watched some of your other videos, that part of this $200 challenge wasn't some protective clothing. It makes me wonder whether you consider it important.

[@tonyduarte9503]

I watched a safety video on angle grinders and learned that people have had wheels break and do serious damage - lodging fragments inside their body and requiring surgery. Definitely need full face shield and leather protective wear.

[@nelsonglass3497]

You pick good ..

[@guntergliben3851]

Tim, Aircaptain Mig 200 or ? Thanks

[@stylez7207]

Does it matter if i use a wooden table ?

[@favianaguayo7337]

Cool video man. Why is the 6011 rod better for tacking?

[@TimWelds]

Thanks! 6011 is easier to restart, leaves a smaller deep penetrating weld, and has a really light slag.

[@saintjohn7641]

Am in Ghana I need the set How can get it

[@woods-garage]

Nice video. I bet chipping with that cheap hammer was the most painful for you. I bought the Estwing chipping hammer after your recommendation in another video, and I can’t imagine going back to a cheap one again. I’d use any of the other bits in this video except the chipping hammer and the welding helmet. I had a cheap auto-darkening helmet fail before and it was unpleasant.

[@dennisyoung4631]

How good does it work? I’m thinking to get one.

[@TimWelds]

Thanks! I do like that Estwing chipping hammer. It has enough mass to it that you don’t really have to strike very hard.

[@MadGunner]

A wire wheel for that grinder can make quick work of cleaning those welds, with a better end-result than banging with a hammer.

[@woods-garage]

@@dennisyoung4631 , I love the Estwing hammer more than I would have expected. There something about the weight, quality of the metal, and sharp ends that just makes it work like magic. I don’t usually need to smack the weld - it’s usually enough to drag across it and maybe lightly tap. I’ve had one of those cheap chipping hammers with a ‘spring’ like handle for a long time, and sharpening the ends on a grinder just makes it sharp, not effective. If Estwing went to a show and let people use one of these, they sell to everyone that picked it up. It’s expensive, but most good tools are.

[@Iknowvfx]

Never cheap out on a hood. Lincoln Viking 3350 for $300 is about the cheapest I would go. Optrel Crystal 2.0 PAPR is what you should strive for.

[@a.r1832]

Oh man. Tim, you are a real pundit.

[@Weldinginlove]

Very interesting. . I Am welder from 🇮🇩🔥

[@caramidacaramida3959]

I love the video. Very informative America hase God prices, even cheape prices in me country that welder is 100$ atleast

[@carpy1970]

You forgot the cost of a welding rod oven for storing those 7018 welding rods…….

[@seancsnm]

I got a used 200 amp arc welder for $100, protective gear + electrodes off craigslist for $75, and a ton of rusty old angle steel for $90. The angle grinder + sanding wheels and brushes would be another $50-$75 used if I didn't already have them. So just buy used. This doesn't factor in the $100k doctor bill you will have 10 years down the road from the cancer that comes from endlessly grinding down rust and paint without a mask.

[@joselofarias2088]

That was more then 200. Haha cool video

[@adamm1072]

cool little project. for $200 bucks.

[@hsanstephhsansteph1536]

When using glasses 🤓 or a magnifying glass how much difference does it make for SAFETY GOOGLES?

[@ItsJusHP]

🔥🔥🔥

[@nkronert]

Great video! Question: can these auto-darkening helmets really be trusted? Can an LCD shutter block enough IR, visible, UV radiation to protect your eyes? Or are there some "fakes" around that would fail to do so?

[@TimWelds]

Thanks! I have wondered the same thing. I don’t have a way to test it and don’t have any reason to believe that they aren’t effective. Because of the amount of welding I do, I use a $500 name brand hood on a daily basis.

[@nkronert]

@@TimWelds thanks for your insights!

[@Alex-mj7km]

You would know if helmet is not working by having arc-eye and sleepless night after that.

[@nkronert]

@@Alex-mj7km that's what I'm trying to prevent 😵

[@Alex-mj7km]

@@nkronert Well. I know one thing for sure, cheap fixed shade non-autodarkening hood will protect from UV and IR 100%. As for autodarkening - I don't really know, in theory they all should protect against UV and IR even if it doesn't go dark.

[@2035jim]

I’m not a fan of the auto darkening helmets I guess all those years of the fixed shade lenses I can’t get used to auto darkening

[@dennisyoung4631]

Ah! He tries the toaster. (I have one - AHP 160).

[@Alex-mj7km]

Those cheap welders struggle with 7018 and 6010 because they have low OCV. So 6013 would have been a better choice I think. And bead appearance is very similar to 7018.

[@MrOldclunker]

Ever use one?

[@Alex-mj7km]

@@MrOldclunker yes, I recently bought a $50 welder (for a project, I want to turn it into lab-bench power supply) but I decided to give it a try as welder. OCV is 65V and it barely run 6010 and 7018, you have to hold a really tight arc. 6011 and 6013 ran pretty good, because they are AC rods and they have stabilizers in flux which makes arc more stable on AC, or like in this case, low OCV DC. All rods I tried were 3/32, because welder is 120A (even though it claims to be 200A).

[@TimWelds]

That’s a great point, Harbor Freight 7018 is actually 7018AC, which has arc stabilizers and runs pretty good on little inverters.

[@Anang_Munawar]

Indonesia hadir

[@JustinDavidow]

Angle grinder, but no hearing protection? That feels like a bad idea.

[@TimWelds]

Great point! I did wear earplugs, which I intended to mention, but I forgot. 😬

[@user-rt9vs3lb4f]

👍👍👍

[@HalkerVeil]

Only thing I disagree with is buying that cheap angle grinder. That is the most dangerous tool there is in the average garage.

[@vmantech8957]

Only dangerous if you don't know how to use it.

[@melgross]

I’m very skeptical about the UV protection and the numbers of darkening these really cheap helmets claim. They may be ok, but my experience with really cheap Chinese equipment is that they don’t meet their specs and some are dangerously designed and built. Two cheap Chinese welders I’ve tested have no line grounded cord. Instead they have a small ground screw on the back. Usually either people don’t use it, or put some light gauge wire for a ground - very dangerous. Even worse, one had the work connector connected to that ground screw internally!!! I’ve tested cheap TIG torches that were heating up, and I found they were copper plated zinc rather than solid copper. I don’t know how someone who has no knowledge or experience with this being able to figure out what’s safe or even workable.

[@HappyHarryHardon]

Scratch weld tig.