Welding info
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Florida
Welding info
Ok so if I end up with this rust bucket 74 as I am planning too. I'm thinking about getting a welder and learning since it will first of all need some new floorpans welded in + other random body work+ I could then do my own custom exhaust system. Wondering what would be a recommended type welder. I'm poor so I'm looking at this 325$ Lincoln Mig welder that we have at Home Depot where I work and I think it can do up to like 1/4 inch but I'm not sure. Would this allow me to do body work as well as exhaust work? Easy enough to use? Are the Arc welders even much good or useful? We have one going for 220 I think. I know very little about welding and me and my buddy are both wanting to learn to work on our projects.
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,557
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From: Texas
That welder would be excellent for sheetmetal. Just make sure and hook up the gas and use solid wire. Check out my work in the patch panel post at the top. I just started learning when I did those so if I can do it, anyone can.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
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From: Northwest Fl
I wouldn't even consider it without gas. Granted they are cheaper w/o the gas option, but the gas makes all the difference when doing sheet metal. Even if you want to try it without gas, using a flux core wire, at least buy a welder with the option of running gas, you'll be glad you did latter.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Florida
Well technically the only thing the gas does is let you see what you are doing better is that right? And don't most exhaust shops do it unshielded as well? I could understand if it made it look cleaner but lets say for the sake of welding in floorpans that would not be visible there would not be a big difference? The biggest thing to me is the extra cost...Also I believe the higher end 400+ model that has the gas connections also has the ability to use some kit for doing aluminum as well but I've heard aluminum is really difficult to do and I doubt I could think of any aluminum applications short of welding on an intake manifold. So I should def get with gas option? Is there any kind of standard for non-industrial use welders as far as thickness of metal you can weld or anything like that?
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: Willamette Valley Oregon
<cr>
First off, my qualifications.
Struck my first arc in 1966. Certified for welding ocean going ships and oil drill rigs. Welded a number of different metals with stick, mig, and tig. My home welder is a 185 amp Miller gas mig (a gas-shielded wire feeder). 185 amps is overkill for 3/8" plate steel. My partner has a 125 amp mig for auto restoration work. When necessary, I can use it on just about any of his farm equipment, by applying multiple passes of weld.
The cheap gasless migs use a flux-cored wire. During the welding process, the flux burns and produces the necessary shielding to the hot metal. Gasless migs have a limited range of applications.
The easiest welding to learn is with a gas mig. They also have a wider range of applications since your can change the type of wire and gas being used. In your case, you will find it a lot easier to weld sheetmetal with a gas mig.
Huntsman gave you some great advise.
First off, my qualifications.
Struck my first arc in 1966. Certified for welding ocean going ships and oil drill rigs. Welded a number of different metals with stick, mig, and tig. My home welder is a 185 amp Miller gas mig (a gas-shielded wire feeder). 185 amps is overkill for 3/8" plate steel. My partner has a 125 amp mig for auto restoration work. When necessary, I can use it on just about any of his farm equipment, by applying multiple passes of weld.
The cheap gasless migs use a flux-cored wire. During the welding process, the flux burns and produces the necessary shielding to the hot metal. Gasless migs have a limited range of applications.
The easiest welding to learn is with a gas mig. They also have a wider range of applications since your can change the type of wire and gas being used. In your case, you will find it a lot easier to weld sheetmetal with a gas mig.
Huntsman gave you some great advise.
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,848
Likes: 1
From: Kentucky
Sorry, not a welder here, but for more good welding info, the guys over at the Garage/Workshop Forum have a lot of welding topics going on, good luck
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NJ where fun comes to die
Aluminum is a special operation. The problem is to get the aluminum wire through the cable. They make an attachment that fits on the end of the cable that has it's own coil of aluminum wire. That way it won't jamb inside. But aluminum welding is still hard to do. Buy a machine that will use gas. It will be better in the long run.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Eastern Shore, Md.
Definitely get the gas option. An aluminum spoolgun is an expensive option and probably not worth it if your not going to use it much. In welding, it's what you're used to... Meaning I think Tig welding Aluminum is easy
, I've welded it everyday for the last 25 years. To me stick welding boiler pipe is hard. Personally I have a Snap-On 149 amp mig/ dc tig for my at home body/home project use. just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.
, I've welded it everyday for the last 25 years. To me stick welding boiler pipe is hard. Personally I have a Snap-On 149 amp mig/ dc tig for my at home body/home project use. just thought I'd throw my 2 cents in.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Florida
Ok sounds like the best thing to do is get the gas mig....since it would be close to my price range. Sure wish it was a bit cheaper though. Anyhow not really worried about aluminum...could always come back to that if there was a need but i doubt I'd put the money down to get the kit to use on like one thing. Heres a question...what do you mean by stick welder vs wire...wire feeds through the gun right? But with stick what is it? Sounds like it would be like using a really powerful soldering iron. Basically for sheetmetal and exhaust wirefeed is the one right? Just curious. I've tried reading a little in welding books but none of it makes any sense because I can't picture the words in my head because I don't know what they are.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,671
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From: Eastern Shore, Md.
Stick welding is another term for shielded metal arc welding, like what you would use on farm eqmnt, or I-beams or something. And has nothing to do with mig vs. flux core. Your on the right track on buying a mig. especially if your wanting to weld sheetmetal and lighter gauge matl.
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Junior User
Joined: Jun 2004
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From: Florida
I took a look again today and the non gas one for 325 only does up to 1/8 inch and the gas one for 425 is up to 5/16 so that right there seems kind of important to me but I hate to pay so much. Home depot sucks because you dont get discounts like at any other dang store. Every once in a while though they give us 10% off coupons so maybe I'll wait till I get my hands on one
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,495
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From: Northwest Fl
Check these links, I think there in your price range and some can be used with gas.
http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=FQMW
http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=AEM
http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=FQMW
http://autobodystore.net/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=AEM