welder suggestions
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welder suggestions
I've always wanted to learn how to weld and intend to teach myself enough to fix parts of the truck I'm restoring.
Which welder should I start with? I see at Lowes, Sears, Home Depot, Wally World, etc. that there are 115v welders available ($89 - $299). Are these sufficient for fender/floorboard repair/replacement?
Any suggestions as to which would be the best to buy and why?
I realize I'll have to practice on scrap metal for some time before attacking my truck -- no problem there!!!
Regards,
Bob
Which welder should I start with? I see at Lowes, Sears, Home Depot, Wally World, etc. that there are 115v welders available ($89 - $299). Are these sufficient for fender/floorboard repair/replacement?
Any suggestions as to which would be the best to buy and why?
I realize I'll have to practice on scrap metal for some time before attacking my truck -- no problem there!!!
Regards,
Bob
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Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Utah
welder suggestions
The easiest to start with and get good results fast would be a 115v wire feed. Flux cored wire eliminates the need for gas. They don't build up alot of heat either, not too expensive. Good luck.
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Joined: May 2003
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welder suggestions
this is one of those times where you tend to get what you paid for...
I went the cheapo flux core route... the thing laid some UGLY welds, and eventually the box plan crapped out on me!
I bought a gas shielded Miller 135 and haven't looked back... I thought I was bad at welding... nope, I had a crappy welder! a monkey on qualudes could lay a decent bead with this thing!
plan on spending ~$400-500 on welder/regulator/tank/helmet... it's better than spending $200-250 now and then $400-500 later when you have to buy a real welder.
Forrest
I went the cheapo flux core route... the thing laid some UGLY welds, and eventually the box plan crapped out on me!
I bought a gas shielded Miller 135 and haven't looked back... I thought I was bad at welding... nope, I had a crappy welder! a monkey on qualudes could lay a decent bead with this thing!
plan on spending ~$400-500 on welder/regulator/tank/helmet... it's better than spending $200-250 now and then $400-500 later when you have to buy a real welder.
Forrest
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welder suggestions
I am new to all of this restoration stuff but for once I feel that I can offer something helpful. I too bought a cheap welder from Lowes. I t is a Campell Hausfield gas mig 115volt. It came with .035 diameter flux core wire. I was able to weld some 1/8 inch steel ok but not pretty. Bought an argon tank of gas and wire, makes even a better weld, but still not great.
I found a Tech school in Thomasville Ga. that has an instructor that told me to come up and he would give me a few pointers on MIG welding. After a few weeks of using his equipment he told me to bring my welder to class and he would see what it would do, since I was called it a piece of crap comapared to what I was using in his class.
After using my welder for a while the instructor was not happy with my welder. The manufaturer states that it will weld 1/4 inch steel with .035 wire. He welded some steel and placed it in a vise for a stress test, FAILED. He had me go get some .023 wire. After returnung with size wire he gave the welder a passing grade.
To make a long story short, and it was a long story, If I had it all over to do I would by a Lincoln or Miller 230 volt welder. Both run about $600.
Hope this helps.
Greg
I found a Tech school in Thomasville Ga. that has an instructor that told me to come up and he would give me a few pointers on MIG welding. After a few weeks of using his equipment he told me to bring my welder to class and he would see what it would do, since I was called it a piece of crap comapared to what I was using in his class.
After using my welder for a while the instructor was not happy with my welder. The manufaturer states that it will weld 1/4 inch steel with .035 wire. He welded some steel and placed it in a vise for a stress test, FAILED. He had me go get some .023 wire. After returnung with size wire he gave the welder a passing grade.
To make a long story short, and it was a long story, If I had it all over to do I would by a Lincoln or Miller 230 volt welder. Both run about $600.
Hope this helps.
Greg
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Joined: Dec 2002
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From: South Haven, Mi.
welder suggestions
To gbarger in your statement " It is a Campell Hausfield gas mig 115volt. It came with .035 diameter flux core wire." Did you reverse the polarity on your welder?? Sometimes when you purchase a new welder , the polarity needs to be switched. For either gas or flux core wire. Just so you know.
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To walkhaulsey
My welder is labeled on the front on which polarity to use with which type of wire. The polarity for flux core, if I remember correctly it is negative tip, and for using gas it is positive.
The Campbell Huasfield welder is not a bad welder but if I had it all over to do I would have bought a Lincoln or Miller and most definatley it would be a 220 volt model.
My welder is labeled on the front on which polarity to use with which type of wire. The polarity for flux core, if I remember correctly it is negative tip, and for using gas it is positive.
The Campbell Huasfield welder is not a bad welder but if I had it all over to do I would have bought a Lincoln or Miller and most definatley it would be a 220 volt model.
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From: South Haven, Mi.
welder suggestions
I agree with you gbarger. The flux core welders are only good for welding outside where apperance is not an issue. I myself perfer the MillerMatic 250,or the Hobart Ironman 210 both are excellent welders.
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welder suggestions
Originally posted by walkhaulsey
I agree with you gbarger. The flux core welders are only good for welding outside where apperance is not an issue.
I agree with you gbarger. The flux core welders are only good for welding outside where apperance is not an issue.
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welder suggestions
Just another question:
Would brazing be just as effective? I have enough metal to lap the pieces an inch or so easily enough (floor panels, some fender patching).
It sure seems easier than the weld/grind/repeat method.
Bob
Would brazing be just as effective? I have enough metal to lap the pieces an inch or so easily enough (floor panels, some fender patching).
It sure seems easier than the weld/grind/repeat method.
Bob
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welder suggestions
Bob
I am by far no expert, heck for that matter I probably don't anything. From what I have been told brazing would work. But I would be careful overlapping metal . especially on your fenders. You will need to put some type of sealer on the underside to keep moister from getting in between the over lapped joints.
I am sure some of the experts can help out better than my 1.5 cents.
I am by far no expert, heck for that matter I probably don't anything. From what I have been told brazing would work. But I would be careful overlapping metal . especially on your fenders. You will need to put some type of sealer on the underside to keep moister from getting in between the over lapped joints.
I am sure some of the experts can help out better than my 1.5 cents.
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