HackPGH’s welding bench is a vibrant hub where sparks fly and skills are forged!
Welding for a wide range of projects
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 educational
and creative needs. We understand the diverse needs of our community, and our accessible
equipment ensures you have the right tools for every welding challenge.
Welders & Plasma Cutter
Miller Millermatic 255 MIG Welder (“MIGuel”)
Model: 907627
MIGuel is an advanced 230-amp, all-in-one MIG and Pulsed MIG inverter welder designed for light manufacturing, fabrication, and repair. It delivers high portability and power, capable of welding mild steel and aluminum up to ½” thick.
Capabilities
MIG, pulsed MIG, and flux-cored welding
Features
7” color LCD display
USB port
Auto-Set Elite program
Design type
DC inverter
Input voltage
240V
Duty cycle
40% at 260A/27V
Materials
Up to 0.5” mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
Gas type
Argon/carbon dioxide mix (Ar 75%/CO2 25%)
Miller Diversion 180 TIG Welder
This machine is our most approachable TIG welder, as it takes away the guesswork of setup by TIG options; power on, select your material and thickness, and go. Amps are adjustable from 10 to 180 with the foot pedal for on-the-fly adjustments. With its portability and intuitive interface, it’s perfect for hobbyists, light fabricators, and auto enthusiasts alike.
Capabilities
TIG
Features
Digital display
Foot pedal
Advanced Squarewave AC gives faster-freezing weld puddles and deeper penetration when welding aluminum
Delivers non-contact arc ignition to stop tungsten and weld material from getting contaminated
Fan-On-Demand runs the cooling fan only when necessary to cut down on noise, energy use, and dust inside the unit
Design type
AC/DC inverter
Input voltage
MVP allows switching between 120V or 240V
Duty cycle
20% at 150A/16V
Materials
Up to 3/16” (4.8mm) mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
Gas type
Argon (Ar 100%)
Vulcan OMNIPRO 220 Multiprocess Welder
Our portable fancy “multiprocess” machine, this welder is capable of MIG, Flux-Core, DC Stick, and DC TIG welding. It has a smaller gun than our larger welders if you need to get into a tight space, and it’s very easy to use; the digital screen tells you how to proceed with each step.
Capabilities
MIG, flux-core, DC Stick (SMAW), and DC TIG (GTAW). Does not support AC TIG for aluminum. Currently, HackPGH only has the Vulcan set up for MIG and Stick.
Features
4.3” LCD display
Memory feature
132 pre-loaded synergetic settings
Direct-connect accessory capabilities, including spool guns
Design type
DC inverter
Input voltage
Dual 120V or 240V (with included cords)
Duty cycle
MIG: 40% at 100A (120V), 25% at 200A (240V); Stick: 40% at 80A (120V), 25% at 175A (240V)
Materials
240V: 3/8” (9.5mm) mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum; 120V: 1/8” (3.1mm) mild steel, stainless steel, and aluminum
Gas type
Varies according to process
Everlast PowerTIG 210EXT
Model: PT-210EXT
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 the 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.
Capabilities
TIG (AC/DC) and Stick (DC) welding
Features
Digital readout
Programmable memory
Waveform control
Pulse feature for AC/DC
Advanced pulse for AC for welding thin material
Design type
AC/DC IGBT digital inverter
Input voltage
240V
Duty cycle
TIG: 60% at 210A/18.4V; Stick: 60% at 160A/26.4V
Materials
240V: up to 5/16” mild/stainless steel and ¼” aluminum; 120V: up to 3/16” mild/stainless steel and 1/8” aluminum
Gas type
Argon (Ar 100%)
BX1+ 100B AC Welder
Model: BX1 travel “buzzbox” Stick Welder
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.
Capabilities
Arc Stick (AC)
Features
Portable
Fan-cooled stick electrode
Variable amperage control
Design type
AC
Input voltage
120V
Duty cycle
55% at 100A
Materials
Mild steel
Gas type
None; no shielding gas needed
Zeny Cut 50 DC Inverter Plasma Cutter
Model: 60974
It has one purpose – it passes butter. Er, we mean that it’s a reliable plasma cutter.
Capabilities
Plasma cutting
Features
Piloting arc system
Under 25lbs for maximum portability
Design type
DC PWM inverter
Input voltage
240V
Duty cycle
60% at 36A, 30% at 50A
Materials
Up to 12mm mild steel, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, and brass
Gas type
Compressed air
Small Forging Equipment
Atlas Plus Knife Forge
We wish we had space for more blacksmithing equipment! For now, we manage quite a lot with the Atlas Plus, our single-burner gas forge that’s both portable and fuel-efficient. From knives to hammers to jewelry, you’ll be surprised what can be made with this little forge!
Capabilities
Knife, hammer, and other types of forging; hot enough to forge weld, but you need a fluxless method
Features
Dedicated cart with makeshift oven
Maximum temperature
2300°F
Exterior dimensions
13” × 13” × 7”
Chamber
3.25” diameter × 10.5” length (2.5” rear opening)
Weight
22lbs
Gas type
Propane
Use requirements: 18+ (adults only). Buddy required. Must be trained or checked off before independent use with permission from Ben Kranking.
Grizzly Knife Grinder, Sander, and Buffer
Model: G1015
A heavy-duty tool made for bladesmiths, knife-makers, and woodworkers. It combines a belt sander with an auxiliary buffing arbor, operating at a fast single speed.
Note: On permanent loan from Benjamin Kranking.
Capabilities
Stock removal, shaping, and final polishing
Features
Dual orientation – can be positioned horizontally or vertically
Use requirements: 18+ (adults only). Buddy required. Must be trained or checked off before independent use with permission from Ben Kranking.
Tanks & Sharpening Tools
Welding & Forge Tanks
Two “K”-sized industrial welding cylinders: 9” diameter, 244 ft³, with BOW 9” tank caddy
Two “S”-sized industrial welding cylinders: 7.37” diameter, 120 ft³, with BOW 7” tank caddy
Two 20lb propane tanks with Victor Medalist 250 Medium Duty Propane Outfit, 540/510LP G-250 regulators
Sharpening Tools
Soft Arkansas Stone in wooden box (8” × 3” × ½”)
Hard Arkansas Stone in wooden box (8” × 3” × ½”)
Hard Black Arkansas Stone in wooden box (8” × 3” × ½”)
Norton Sharpening Stone Oil
Norton India Gouge Sharpening Stone
Norton Three-Stone IM313 System
Naniwa Rust Eraser
Work Sharp Knife & Tool Sharpener with Blade Grinding Attachments and Assorted Belt Kit
Welding Safety & General Maintenance
Clothing and PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)
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 sparks 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
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 material 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.
