Nashville TJ's Build - Continued

[John Cooper]

That’s the 1st place I got ducked. I assume you have yours on your dash now?

Probably has it stuck on top of his antenna for all the world to see.......... he is a proud ducker

 

[Woodrow]

I think Victor @gasiorv has a carnage welder for comparison sake.

That’s another way to approach the question. Since @NashvilleTJ and @gasiorv wheel together not infrequently, if someone breaks and needs a welder, which one is more likely to get used?

 

[Apparition]

Probably has it stuck on top of his antenna for all the world to see.......... he is a proud ducker

I’ve only been sucked once and that was at Suzies roadhouse in Moab. I’ve never ducked anyone.

I did buy ducks for my kids to duck everyone with.

 

[John Cooper]

I’ve only been sucked once and that was at Suzies roadhouse in Moab. I’ve never ducked anyone.

I did buy ducks for my kids to duck everyone with.

I've been ducked a time or 2.

Like you i buy them for my oldest granddaughter.

Then if you chance someone does duck me, she gets that one also.

 

[Apparition]

I've been ducked a time or 2.

Like you i buy them for my oldest granddaughter.

Then if you chance someone does duck me, she gets that one also.

Guess it was in his diaper bag

 

[Wildman]

I used to think eventually I wanted an onboard welder. Over time, however, I’ve watched folks (including you 2) who have them struggle with all sorts of weird issues. So my question is: with the new light weight suitcase welders, if you had to do it again, would you go that route?

The original one I had with my Magnum never gave me any issues...But I also have a Ready Welder... So I can fix things in two different ways...
The new alternator going bad on my Hemi I would say was a fluke & that is what PPW said to me too about it.

The portable welders rely upon batteries which I would say I like the ability to repair something and not have to worry about my battery going dead halfway through a repair.

So to answer your question, I'd take the PPW over the RW. I'd picked up the RW used locally for about 1/2 price of a new one.

 

[srimes]

I’ve only been sucked once and that was at Suzies roadhouse in Moab.

From what I hear that's pretty common once you get married

 

[John Cooper]

From what I hear that's pretty common once you get married

He did kinda lay that out there so someone could knock it out of the park!!!!!!

 

[NashvilleTJ]

I used to think eventually I wanted an onboard welder. Over time, however, I’ve watched folks (including you 2) who have them struggle with all sorts of weird issues. So my question is: with the new light weight suitcase welders, if you had to do it again, would you go that route?

Mike, you may be referring to the issues I had back in Moab, but that was an idle problem with the Jeep. Can’t really blame the welder for that one, but I get your point. Other than that, I’ve never had any problems with my setup.

That said, the premier takes up no space - save for the control unit - but the carnage is a suitcase, so comparatively it takes up a lot of space. The premier also puts out 110, so I can run a drill or a grinder which I carry, and never have to worry about batteries. For my situation, in that regard I much prefer the Premier.

I rarely use it of course, but I also never have to worry about it. If I’m carrying a Carnage, I’ve got to make sure it is charged every time I go out, find a place for it, etc. For me, that’s an unnecessary challenge with which I’d rather not have to deal

You also can’t compare the weld quality. My knowledge may be a bit dated, but I view the portable welders as a good solution for trail repairs, whereas the Premier lays down permenant welds you never have to worry about. Also, if you wanted you can TIG with the premier, although that’s not really a benefit over the Carnage for the stuff I do - just an interesting tid bit.

So to answer your question, Mike, I would not swap my current setup for a portable. And if I were building a rig now, I would still go with the Premier. I’m a big fan.

 

[Apparition]

From what I hear that's pretty common once you get married

Oops, that there was an iPhone problem not a me problem.

 

[rasband]

the premier takes up no space - save for the control unit - but the carnage is a suitcase, so comparatively it takes up a lot of space.

An intangible benefit is also that the on-board cannot easily be stolen out of the back. I could see wanting a suitcase one if you have multiple vehicles you may use it with, but that's not likely super common.

 

[reddvltj]

From what I hear that's pretty common once you get married

I just knew someone else was going to capitalize on that, alleged slip of the iPhone auto correct (yeah right) although more likely fat fingered typo... I was actually surprised it took as long as it did..

 

[rasband]

From what I hear that's pretty common once you get married

I had a few jokes in mind but couldn't think of anything this good so never said it.

 

[reddvltj]

I had a few jokes in mind but couldn't think of anything this good so never said it.

 

[gasiorv]

That’s another way to approach the question. Since @NashvilleTJ and @gasiorv wheel together not infrequently, if someone breaks and needs a welder, which one is more likely to get used?

I haven't read the thread to see if Jeff answered or not yet, but here is my 2 cents (which is all it is probably worth).

As related to the question: I think it would depend on the situation and who was doing the welding. If I was climbing under there to weld it on the side or in the middle of the trail, I would use the Karnage. If Jeff was close by and was able to get up around and close and he was doing the welding then he would probably use his welder.

As far as the Karnage goes:

• I have used mine on the last three wheeling trips. Not once on my Jeep but on other peoples rigs. It not only got them off the trail but had them wheeling the rest of the weekend.
• It welds really good, similar to a 110v flux core.
• I prefer the portability over having it fixed to the rig. If I can get there on my feet, then I can get in there and weld it. Unfortunately, stuff doesn't always break where other vehicles can get close to it in order to do the welding and sometimes it is easier to just weld it right there in lieu of recovering the vehicle to a place where you can get another vehicle close enough to weld.
• I have used it to fix a neighbors gate, a friend borrowed it to weld something on his duck blind (I am not a duck hunter so I am not sure what he was welding but he said it worked great), I have used it to fix a bridge girder on a local mt bike trail. The portability is very handy. None of those locations had ez (or any) access to power and a vehicle couldn't get close by.
• It is heavy to carry and takes up room in the rig, but it is square and flat so you can stack on top of it easily etc...
• It has limited capability (approx 20 min weld time). The last three times it was used, when I got home and plugged it into charge, the batteries were still at full power, so the trails side fixes weren't an issue. You have to remember to charge it if you use it, I usually top it off every time I go on a trip.
• It is a mig torch which sometimes has issues with accessibility, where a stick can normally be stuck just about anywhere.

If you wheel in the rocks like I do I think that one person in the group that you typically wheel with should have some sort of welding capability and know how to use whatever welder they have, it doesn't matter what type they have it can save the day. If you are the one carrying the welder, you most likely are also going to be carrying the grinder, welding goggles, face protection, gloves, wire brush, etc.... and that all takes up space as well. I also think that everyone needs a winch and tree strap with some soft shackles, and they need to be placed somewhere where you can reach them even when on your side, up against a rock/hill, stood straight up, upside down, etc... and that includes winch remote (if you don't have cab controls have your remote handy not in some bag in the back that we can't get to because you are in a spot where it is impossible to get the tailgate open, etc...). With synthetic rope you can pretty much use soft shackles for everything, but if you are still the one guy who is using steel cable make sure you have a snatch block, d-rings, etc... If you are out west and wheeling where there are no trees, you better have a long strap that you can wrap around a boulder, etc..... Everyone needs some basic hand tools and hopefully if everyone brings what they thought they would need that one person may actually have the tool that you need at that time. At least one person in the group needs a hi-lift, yes, they are super handy and we use one just about every wheeling trip. If you are going to be far from truck/camp, one person should have some extra fuel, the one guy who is running propane is on his own and needs to ensure he has enough. If you are wheeling hard stuff, don't go alone. If you are out overlanding or just running forest service roads on your own, just be prepared to deal with situations and be sure you know your route and don't get in over your head. I can go on and on, but I will get off my soap box for now, that is my 2 cents.

 

[Woodrow]

I haven't read the thread to see if Jeff answered or not yet, but here is my 2 cents (which is all it is probably worth).

As related to the question: I think it would depend on the situation and who was doing the welding. If I was climbing under there to weld it on the side or in the middle of the trail, I would use the Karnage. If Jeff was close by and was able to get up around and close and he was doing the welding then he would probably use his welder.

As far as the Karnage goes:

• I have used mine on the last three wheeling trips. Not once on my Jeep but on other peoples rigs. It not only got them off the trail but had them wheeling the rest of the weekend.
• It welds really good, similar to a 110v flux core.
• I prefer the portability over having it fixed to the rig. If I can get there on my feet, then I can get in there and weld it. Unfortunately, stuff doesn't always break where other vehicles can get close to it in order to do the welding and sometimes it is easier to just weld it right there in lieu of recovering the vehicle to a place where you can get another vehicle close enough to weld.
• I have used it to fix a neighbors gate, a friend borrowed it to weld something on his duck blind (I am not a duck hunter so I am not sure what he was welding but he said it worked great), I have used it to fix a bridge girder on a local mt bike trail. The portability is very handy. None of those locations had ez (or any) access to power and a vehicle couldn't get close by.
• It is heavy to carry and takes up room in the rig, but it is square and flat so you can stack on top of it easily etc...
• It has limited capability (approx 20 min weld time). The last three times it was used, when I got home and plugged it into charge, the batteries were still at full power, so the trails side fixes weren't an issue. You have to remember to charge it if you use it, I usually top it off every time I go on a trip.
• It is a mig torch which sometimes has issues with accessibility, where a stick can normally be stuck just about anywhere.

If you wheel in the rocks like I do I think that one person in the group that you typically wheel with should have some sort of welding capability and know how to use whatever welder they have, it doesn't matter what type they have it can save the day. If you are the one carrying the welder, you most likely are also going to be carrying the grinder, welding goggles, face protection, gloves, wire brush, etc.... and that all takes up space as well. I also think that everyone needs a winch and tree strap with some soft shackles, and they need to be placed somewhere where you can reach them even when on your side, up against a rock/hill, stood straight up, upside down, etc... and that includes winch remote (if you don't have cab controls have your remote handy not in some bag in the back that we can't get to because you are in a spot where it is impossible to get the tailgate open, etc...). With synthetic rope you can pretty much use soft shackles for everything, but if you are still the one guy who is using steel cable make sure you have a snatch block, d-rings, etc... If you are out west and wheeling where there are no trees, you better have a long strap that you can wrap around a boulder, etc..... Everyone needs some basic hand tools and hopefully if everyone brings what they thought they would need that one person may actually have the tool that you need at that time. At least one person in the group needs a hi-lift, yes, they are super handy and we use one just about every wheeling trip. If you are going to be far from truck/camp, one person should have some extra fuel, the one guy who is running propane is on his own and needs to ensure he has enough. If you are wheeling hard stuff, don't go alone. If you are out overlanding or just running forest service roads on your own, just be prepared to deal with situations and be sure you know your route and don't get in over your head. I can go on and on, but I will get off my soap box for now, that is my 2 cents.

Well reasoned responses from @Wildman, @NashvilleTJ and @gasiorv. I’m leaning towards a suitcase welder for starters. But I won’t rule out and onboard welder either. Thanks all!

 

[NashvilleTJ]

Well reasoned responses from @Wildman, @NashvilleTJ and @gasiorv. I’m leaning towards a suitcase welder for starters. But I won’t rule out and onboard welder either. Thanks all!

Certainly plusses and minuses to both. Either is better than none…

 

[srimes]

I haven't read the thread to see if Jeff answered or not yet, but here is my 2 cents (which is all it is probably worth).

As related to the question: I think it would depend on the situation and who was doing the welding. If I was climbing under there to weld it on the side or in the middle of the trail, I would use the Karnage. If Jeff was close by and was able to get up around and close and he was doing the welding then he would probably use his welder.

As far as the Karnage goes:

• I have used mine on the last three wheeling trips. Not once on my Jeep but on other peoples rigs. It not only got them off the trail but had them wheeling the rest of the weekend.
• It welds really good, similar to a 110v flux core.
• I prefer the portability over having it fixed to the rig. If I can get there on my feet, then I can get in there and weld it. Unfortunately, stuff doesn't always break where other vehicles can get close to it in order to do the welding and sometimes it is easier to just weld it right there in lieu of recovering the vehicle to a place where you can get another vehicle close enough to weld.
• I have used it to fix a neighbors gate, a friend borrowed it to weld something on his duck blind (I am not a duck hunter so I am not sure what he was welding but he said it worked great), I have used it to fix a bridge girder on a local mt bike trail. The portability is very handy. None of those locations had ez (or any) access to power and a vehicle couldn't get close by.
• It is heavy to carry and takes up room in the rig, but it is square and flat so you can stack on top of it easily etc...
• It has limited capability (approx 20 min weld time). The last three times it was used, when I got home and plugged it into charge, the batteries were still at full power, so the trails side fixes weren't an issue. You have to remember to charge it if you use it, I usually top it off every time I go on a trip.
• It is a mig torch which sometimes has issues with accessibility, where a stick can normally be stuck just about anywhere.

If you wheel in the rocks like I do I think that one person in the group that you typically wheel with should have some sort of welding capability and know how to use whatever welder they have, it doesn't matter what type they have it can save the day. If you are the one carrying the welder, you most likely are also going to be carrying the grinder, welding goggles, face protection, gloves, wire brush, etc.... and that all takes up space as well. I also think that everyone needs a winch and tree strap with some soft shackles, and they need to be placed somewhere where you can reach them even when on your side, up against a rock/hill, stood straight up, upside down, etc... and that includes winch remote (if you don't have cab controls have your remote handy not in some bag in the back that we can't get to because you are in a spot where it is impossible to get the tailgate open, etc...). With synthetic rope you can pretty much use soft shackles for everything, but if you are still the one guy who is using steel cable make sure you have a snatch block, d-rings, etc... If you are out west and wheeling where there are no trees, you better have a long strap that you can wrap around a boulder, etc..... Everyone needs some basic hand tools and hopefully if everyone brings what they thought they would need that one person may actually have the tool that you need at that time. At least one person in the group needs a hi-lift, yes, they are super handy and we use one just about every wheeling trip. If you are going to be far from truck/camp, one person should have some extra fuel, the one guy who is running propane is on his own and needs to ensure he has enough. If you are wheeling hard stuff, don't go alone. If you are out overlanding or just running forest service roads on your own, just be prepared to deal with situations and be sure you know your route and don't get in over your head. I can go on and on, but I will get off my soap box for now, that is my 2 cents.

Is there a way to run gas with the Karnage?

 

[Wildman]

Well reasoned responses from @Wildman, @NashvilleTJ and @gasiorv. I’m leaning towards a suitcase welder for starters. But I won’t rule out and onboard welder either. Thanks all!

One of the nice things about having both is that then you have the choice of stick or Mig. The only stipulation on that is that you cannot us the RW on your own vehicle if using the PPW to power it with unless you remove the part first. I don't know about the Karnage welder but with the RW you can run gas with it.

So far every time I've needed to be able to weld on someone else's rig I've been able to get close enough to use my PPW. I've only used the RW once when using the PPW to power it. I had a 50' extension cable for the RW but it got ruined a few years ago so I need to get a new extension cable set for it
I've got 50' welding cables for the PPW and then 25' comes with the RW standard.

And like Jeff pointed out with the PPW you also get the ability to power 110V items like a drill or grinder or blender...

 

[Apparition]

One of the nice things about having both is that then you have the choice of stick or Mig. The only stipulation on that is that you cannot us the RW on your own vehicle if using the PPW to power it with unless you remove the part first. I don't know about the Karnage welder but with the RW you can run gas with it.

So far every time I've needed to be able to weld on someone else's rig I've been able to get close enough to use my PPW. I've only used the RW once when using the PPW to power it. I had a 50' extension cable for the RW but it got ruined a few years ago so I need to get a new extension cable set for it
I've got 50' welding cables for the PPW and then 25' comes with the RW standard.

And like Jeff pointed out with the PPW you also get the ability to power 110V items like a drill or grinder or blender...

Blender?