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:

Items in this video:

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

[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!

[jf]

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!

[cthew]

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

[charlieboutin]

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! ⚡️

[erlpen]

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

[ryan]

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

[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.

[-DIYPRO-]

Awesome video! Both tables turned out great! 😉

[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!

[cchemmes-seeseeart]

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

[austinmiller]

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+.

[donaldhalls]

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

[volvogt]

Just the sort of video I need. Thank you

[SilverTreasures]

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

[bbl]

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 👍🙂

[MrJosh]

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.

[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.

[AJ-qvyo]

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.