OT - Welder recommendations
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 794
Likes: 120
From: Behind the wheel, IN
OT - Welder recommendations
It's high time I looked into purchasing a welder. I need to replace the floor pans, weld in my shoulder belt mounts, and fix a few other things.
Since I've never owned a welder, I'm asking you guys for your advice. What have you used/owned and what would you recommend?
Since I've never owned a welder, I'm asking you guys for your advice. What have you used/owned and what would you recommend?
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,222
Likes: 6
From: Houston
Ax does a great job with his welding thread. I have been welding for many years and have learned a few things from it myself.
I have a Lincoln mig welder (had it for years) that I like, but have heard great things about many others such as Miller and even Eastwood. I have an Eastwood plasma cutter that I love, just a 40A one, great for sheet metal and up to 1/4" steel.
Good luck with your welding.
I have a Lincoln mig welder (had it for years) that I like, but have heard great things about many others such as Miller and even Eastwood. I have an Eastwood plasma cutter that I love, just a 40A one, great for sheet metal and up to 1/4" steel.
Good luck with your welding.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 806
Likes: 95
From: Madera Ranchos
The welder I have been using for the past 20 years for the jobs you have described is the lincoln 155 w/argon co2 mix gas, .023 wire. This welder has served me well and has been very dependable, besides the consumable parts I have only had to replace the fan. I believe the replacement for this model is the 185 not positive on that.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 387
Likes: 1
From: Arizona
I have a 110v Lincoln 100 HD and a 220v Lincoln 180 and never had a problem with them..I like having the little flux core welder because its so portable and i can use it on all sorts of things around the house and I like my 220v for anything car related. Eastwood stuff is all Chinese copies if that makes a difference to you. Longevity is another chinese welder but is supposed to have some pretty good reviews.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 934
Likes: 2
From: Sterling, Virginia
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
From: Cary, NC
Most of the modern offerings by Lincoln, Miller, or Hobart, are quality machines and even the 110 volt models will handle everything on our trucks.
I would recommend getting a machine capable of using shielding gas vs. fluxcore only. You'll get cleaner looking welds.
I've been using a Hobart 175, for years with average results. After reading AXracer's thread, I switched to the wire and shielding gas that he recommended, and it really improved my results dramatically. Lots of other good advice on his article, so it's worth your time to read.
I would recommend getting a machine capable of using shielding gas vs. fluxcore only. You'll get cleaner looking welds.
I've been using a Hobart 175, for years with average results. After reading AXracer's thread, I switched to the wire and shielding gas that he recommended, and it really improved my results dramatically. Lots of other good advice on his article, so it's worth your time to read.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Thanks for all the plaudits!
For the money, the Eastwood offerings are high quality industrial grade, the best buy IMHO. The 115V 135A will weld anything you need on your truck, plugs into a standard outlet (I use a Hobart 140 115V bought before Eastwood started selling theirs) Their 175A 220V unit is a good choice also for a little more money if you have 220V outlet(s) available in your shop (DON'T use an extension cord, have another outlet added, or buy the 115V machine!) since it also comes with a spool gun for welding aluminum. Both Eastwood machine's guns use standard Tweeco expendables available at any welding supply or even your favorite big box DIY store. Spend the money you saved on a self darkening helmet (I recommend Harbor Freight's low end model) the right filler wire (see article), bottle of Ar-CO2 shielding gas, steel topped welding table/bench.
MIG is sometimes referred to as "semi-automatic" welding. it's easy to learn with a few day's practice. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM, email or ask them here.
For the money, the Eastwood offerings are high quality industrial grade, the best buy IMHO. The 115V 135A will weld anything you need on your truck, plugs into a standard outlet (I use a Hobart 140 115V bought before Eastwood started selling theirs) Their 175A 220V unit is a good choice also for a little more money if you have 220V outlet(s) available in your shop (DON'T use an extension cord, have another outlet added, or buy the 115V machine!) since it also comes with a spool gun for welding aluminum. Both Eastwood machine's guns use standard Tweeco expendables available at any welding supply or even your favorite big box DIY store. Spend the money you saved on a self darkening helmet (I recommend Harbor Freight's low end model) the right filler wire (see article), bottle of Ar-CO2 shielding gas, steel topped welding table/bench.
MIG is sometimes referred to as "semi-automatic" welding. it's easy to learn with a few day's practice. If you have any other questions, feel free to PM, email or ask them here.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Psiclone
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
6
Oct 6, 2004 10:24 AM