Newbie from Phoenix

Hello everyone. I just purchased a pro 256 after months of reading and research. It's supposed to be shipped on Jan 16th. I was gonna go with 'big blue' for a welder and HT for plasma. However, since this is hobby work, in the end I couldn't justify the 3-4x price difference.

My background is about as far away as you can get from Welding. I'm an Electrical Engineer and I currently work for a large software company. So, I'm sure I'll be asking plenty of questions as a complete newbie.

Why am I getting into welding? Simply, it's just something I wanted to learn for a long time. I like to build things and work on projects when time permits. For example, I have a quad that i'd like to build some skid plates for. However, I think the first project will be a welders table. Anyone know of any good plans or examples? Miller has a nice table to *buy*, but it has a $800-1300 price range depending on options. On the other hand, 3/8" plate steel for a top and bottom shelf is not very cheap.

That brings me to my next question. Where do you all purchase material in the Phoenix, AZ area (plate steel/aluminum, bars, etc)? Home Depot has a good selection of steel round/square steel tubing. However, it's probably way over priced....and, I can't get a big flat piece of steel there (say, 3 ft x 5 ft x 3/8") - not sure, since I'm new... :confused:

Welcome Ozzy,

EE and programmer myself. Try to google for sheetmetal and ironworks, add Phoenix on the search. Might get you some folks that can point you to others locally. An ironworks place might sell drops cheap too.

Welcome Ozzy!

I did a quick search and got this:
Industrial Metal Supply · Website · (602) 454-1500 5150 S 48th St · Phoenix
Central Supply & Metal Co · Website · (602) 258-9601 1425 E Washington St Ste A · Phoenix
General Metals Mfg & Supply Co · Website · (602) 264-4815 2727 W Weldon Ave · Phoenix ·
Far West Supply · Website · (602) 272-0430 3337 W McDowell Rd · Phoenix
American Metals Co · (480) 269-4962 740 W Broadway Rd · Phoenix

... so hopefully there's enough competition to keep retail prices down. Prices change daily and different suppliers have different fees for cuts, must load into a truck, stuff like that.

Good luck with it, let us know what you're working on!

I'm guessing that all the Industrial Metal Supply branches have a similar setup. I've been going to the one out here in Irvine, CA. for many years. It's got a huge variety of materials, tools, etc. in the store area but for me the real gold is out back in the warehouse where they pile up the remnants, cutoffs, etc. I can usually find something that works for my latest project in the rems where they discount it. A time or two I've had to weld two or more lengths together for a long project but it works for me. We've got a couple of guys at the counter that often just charge me a really cheap guesstimated price rather than even bother with the weights. I picked up a nice Nomad portable welding table (on special for $99) and they didn't even charge me for the stainless sheet I'd picked up. Your results may vary on those kind of deals but they happen out here. I especially like to hit them on Saturday mornings before their noon closing where they're much more apt to just give me a nice cheap blanket price for everything I'm dragging home. You should definitely check them out.

The downside is that I always seem to come home with more stuff than I planned. I see a piece of something, get an idea and pick it up for a future project. Now that I've got my 200 DX I'm really getting into aluminum welding projects which has really got me stockpiling materials :^)

I have to be really desperate before considering buying material from Home Depot, way too expensive for my taste.

Have fun...

I know what you mean about the Home Deep- their steel and aluminum prices are way beyond FFR (full effin retail). Altho I admit I caved and bought a chunk of angle iron at about $4 per foot: the steel place nearest to me is open 7 - 5 weekdays and closed weekends, and it's a 40 minute sprint to get there. Now I'm wishing I had something cooler than a hacksaw to cut it with.

For cutting I've been using an older Enco 4x6 horizontal bandsaw (can also be used vertically) that does an amazing job. Quiet as a washing machine, just it up and let it work for most cutoff stuff. With a decent bi-metal blade it does a beautiful job. Nice straight, smooth cuts. I picked up mine as used locally off Craigslist for $70 but Harbor Freight also sells one. My hacksaw or my cheapie abrasive cutoff saw rarely sees any work since I'd picked that bandsaw up.

I use a place called A1 industrial here, they are OK. Less than Home Depot, but over priced still. Hope you have a better place than mine. However, they are open until 1PM Saturdays.

I agree a 4x6 H/V Bandsaw is a must, like grinders and cutoff wheels. And chop saw.

Thanks for all the input. I will look up some of those local sources for metal supplies. Now I just need to go buy a tank. I wired the garage with an extra 120v 20 amp and 240 50 amp circuit (no socket yet, as not sure exactly what I need)

I'm assuming the 256 comes with a bare wire at the end and I need to purchase my own plug? If so, think this combo would be fine?:

plug: http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770024-...ref=pd_cp_hi_2

Socket: http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-5374-R..._bxgy_hi_img_c

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Originally Posted by ozzy

Thanks for all the input. I will look up some of those local sources for metal supplies. Now I just need to go buy a tank. I wired the garage with an extra 120v 20 amp and 240 50 amp circuit (no socket yet, as not sure exactly what I need)

I'm assuming the 256 comes with a bare wire at the end and I need to purchase my own plug? If so, think this combo would be fine?:

plug: http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770024-...ref=pd_cp_hi_2

Socket: http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-5374-R..._bxgy_hi_img_c

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The same plug is $15 at your local Lowes, Home Depot, the socket is $7. Welcome to the forum... join the latest contest... it's very easy, follow the link in my sig ↓

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Originally Posted by ozzy

That brings me to my next question. Where do you all purchase material in the Phoenix, AZ area (plate steel/aluminum, bars, etc)? Home Depot has a good selection of steel round/square steel tubing. However, it's probably way over priced....and, I can't get a big flat piece of steel there (say, 3 ft x 5 ft x 3/8") - not sure, since I'm new... :confused:

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Welcome to the forum.

I would pick up a plate at freeway metals on 19th Av. just north of the I-10 truck route. If you check out my table project I picked up a 5'X4'X3/8" metal table top at Freeway metals for under $200. They have all different sizes in all different thicknesses. They also have good prices for tubing and other things. I typically pick up metal from Industrial Metal Supplies but some times Freeway Metals has better deals and a different selection (better for odd size thick material if needed).

Great, thanks for the info about Freeway Metals....I'll probably stop over there next Sat.

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Originally Posted by DVA

Welcome to the forum.

I would pick up a plate at freeway metals on 19th Av. just north of the I-10 truck route. If you check out my table project I picked up a 5'X4'X3/8" metal table top at Freeway metals for under $200. They have all different sizes in all different thicknesses. They also have good prices for tubing and other things. I typically pick up metal from Industrial Metal Supplies but some times Freeway Metals has better deals and a different selection (better for odd size thick material if needed).

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I haven't been to Freeway Metals, but IMS is a neat place to go look around. Its over on 48th Street, across the street from Diablo Stadium. I'm, like a kid in a candy store in there. I always come back with more stuff than I needed.
- RP (in Gilbert)

Welcome to the forum. This is a great place where you can learn alot from some friendly folks don't hesitate to post even the things you might think are silly.