Welding

At HackPGH, our welding shop...

is a vibrant hub where sparks fly and skills are forged! Equipped with top-of-the-line MIG, TIG, and Stick welding machines, we provide Pittsburgh makers with the versatility to tackle a wide range of projects, from light gauge fabrication to heavy-duty structural work. Whether you’re looking to effortlessly join metals with MIG, achieve intricate and pristine welds with TIG, or master the robust and adaptable technique of Stick welding, our facilities are designed to support your learning and creation. We understand the diverse needs of our community, and our accessible equipment ensures you have the right tools for every welding challenge.

Welding Equipment

Model #: 907627

Capabilities: TIG
Design type: AC/DC inverter
Input voltage: 240V
Duty cycle(s): 20% at 150A/16V
Highlights and accessories: Digital display, inverter-based AC/DC power source, foot pedal.

Use requirements: 16+, Buddy required, must be trained or checked off before independent use

Weldable materials: Up to ½” mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum

Gas type: Argon (Ar – 100%)

Overall:This machine is our most approachable TIG welder, as it takes away the guesswork of machine setup by literally taking away most of the adjustability of most TIG options. Miller has distilled the controls on the Diversion down to only what is absolutely necessary so you can focus on your welding.  Amps are adjustable from 10 to 180 with the foot pedal for on the fly adjustments.  The Diversion has a high frequency start for easy arc initiation. AC TIG is set to 72% electrode negative and 120Hz, no adjustments.

Model #: 951766

Capabilities: MIG, pulsed MIG, and flux-cored welding

Design type: DC Inverter

Input voltage: 240V

Duty cycle: 40% at 260A/27V (240V)

Highlights and accessories: 7” color LCD display, usb port, auto-set elite program mode

Weldable materials: up to ½” mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum

Gas type: Argon & Carbon Dioxide combo (Ar 75% + CO2 25%)

Use requirements: 16+, Buddy required, must be trained or checked off before independent use

Overview: With Miller’s Auto-Set, “MIG”uel is our easiest to setup and most powerful MIG welder.

Model #: 57812

Capabilities: MIG, DC Stick, & Flux-core

Design type: DC Inverter

Input voltage: Dual 120/240V

Duty cycle(s):

  • MIG: 40% at 100A (120V), 25% at 200A (240V)
  • Stick: 40% at 80A (120V), 25% at 175A (240V)

Highlights and accessories: 4.3” LC display, memory feature for programmed settings, spool gun-ready, 132 pre-loaded welding programs

Weldable materials:

  • MIG: Mild Steel & Stainless Steel
  • Stick: Mild Steel & Stainless steel

Gas type(s): 

  • MIG: Argon & Carbon Dioxide combo (Ar 75% + CO2 25%)

Use requirements: 16+, Buddy required, must be trained or checked off before independent use

Overview: This is a fancy “multi-process” machine that we only have setup for MIG and stick welding. It has a smaller gun than the larger MIGuel if you need to get into a tight space. Easy to use, as its digital screen tells you how to proceed with each step. 

Model #: PT-210EXT

Capabilities: TIG (AC/DC) and Stick (DC) welding
Design type: AC/DC IGBT digital inverter

Input voltage: 240V

Duty cycles: 

  • TIG:  60% at 210A/18.4V
  • Stick: 60% at 160A/26.4V

Highlights and accessories: Digital readout, programmable memory, waveform control, pulse feature for AC and DC & advanced pulse for AC for welding thin material

Weldable materials: mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and titanium

Gas type: Argon (Ar 100%)

Use requirements: 16+, Buddy required, must be trained or checked off before independent use

Overview: The opposite of our Miller Diversion, the Everlast allows every detail of TIG welding to be adjusted independently by the operator.  Amps are adjustable from 10 to 180 with foot pedal for on the fly adjustments. The Everlast has a high frequency start for easy arc initiation. AC TIG is adjustable from 10%-90% electrode negative and 30-180Hz.

Model: BX1 travel “buzzbox” Stick Welder

Capabilities: Arc Stick (AC)

Design type: AC

Input voltage: 120V

Duty cycle: 55% at 100A

Highlights and accessories: portable, fan-cooled stick electrode, variable amperage control

Weldable materials: Mild steel

Use requirements: 16+, Buddy required, must be trained or checked off before independent use

Overview: At just 15lbs and with no requirement for gas coverage, this welder is much more easily taken out into a field for a quick repair than anything else in the shop.

Model #: 60974

Design type: DC PWM inverter

Input voltage: 240V

Capabilities: Plasma cutting

Duty cycle(s): 60% at 36A, 30% at 50A

Highlights and accessories: Piloting arc system, 12mm max cutting thickness, <25 lbs with handle for portability

Cuttable materials: Mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass

Gas type: Compressed air

Use requirements: 16+, Buddy required, must be trained or checked off before independent use

Overview: It has one purpose – it passes butter. Er, we mean that it’s a reliable plasma cutter. 

Welding Safety & General Maintenance

At HackPGH we take safety very seriously

Our shop provides a large array of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for the safety of our Members and Non-Member Students. 

When welding is in progress at HackPGH our “Welding in Progress” sign is hung on the double doors leading into the Industrial Side of Hack as a precaution for people with pacemakers (as electromagnetism can stop a pacemaker).

Our Welding Shop Rules – 

  • “Welding In Progress” sign must be put on double door as a precaution to people with pacemakers (electromagnetism can stop a pacemaker)
  • Always wear proper clothing and PPE before entering the welding area, even if you don’t plan to use the machines! See PPE & Clothing for more information
  • Do not leave hose pressurized as it must be “bled” to protect the machine when turned off.
  • Inform a Shop Lead or Board Member if any of the gas tanks get below 500psi
  • CLOTHING: Wear natural fabrics such as cotton and denim. Pants or long coverings are required. Button all cuffs and secure loose items. 
  • FOOTWEAR: Leather boots are highly recommended, with steel-toes a plus. Athletic shoes are discouraged as they can catch spark and melt depending on the material. Canvas shoes and sandals are inadequate and thus prohibited. 
  • WELDING JACKET: When welding, one must be covered from the neck down to the waist, and from the to the shoulder down to the upper wrist. HackPGH has a range of unisex flame-resistant (FR) cotton welding jackets available in sizes small to 3XL. We wash the jackets as needed (all are well-under the wash limit); please place any dirty jackets in the Lincoln Electric gear bag for washing. Members can wear their own cotton, leather, or hybrid welding jackets, as long as they pass the ASTM D6413 test for flame resistance in textiles. 
  • HELMETS & EYE PROTECTION: Helmets are required when using any of the welding machines, while Face Shields are required when operating the grinder and plasma cutter. HackPGH has seven adjustable auto-darkening welding helmets. 
  • GLOVES: Protective gloves are required during welding, cutting, and grinding to protect the hands from heat, flames and electric shock. A glove that is too big or small can decrease performance and increase the risk of injury. The types of gloves vary by the welding process:
    • MIG WELDING: MIG welding generates high amounts of heat and spatter, which is why MIG gloves are made to be thicker with many layers.  MIG welding gloves are always made of thick leather. 
    • STICK WELDING: Gloves for stick welding need to be thick and protective, since the process gives off high heat and sparks.Since stick welding processes are simple, the user does not need a flexible glove. MIG and Stick welding gloves are often sold together. 
    • TIG WELDING: TIG welding gloves are thinner because TIG welding has lower temperatures and creates fewer spatters. Moreover, thinner materials allows for more movement and dexterity, a requirement for TIG’s precise welds. 
    • HACKPGH has a collection of thick leather MIG/Stick gloves as well as thinner TIG gloves in sizes small to 2XL.