New to welding
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Grove City, Ohio
New to welding
Okay... I have a old 68 project car that needs new floor pans welded in and a couple other minor fixes. An estimate to have the work done is $2000 where half of that was for the floor pans. I don't need the car for transportation (F150 is my daily driver) so I was thinking of purchasing a MIG welder and doing the work myself. I'm not sure how much welding I'll do in the future so I figured I would just get a small one to start out (like the Lincoln electric 135 amp MIG and flux-cored). I'm fairly mechanically inclined but I've read a lot in this forum about how much learning is involved in welding. My question is, where should I start? Should I pick up a book on welding then practice on the old floor pans once their cut out? Are there any good web sites for newbe welders?
Thanks for any insight.
Thanks for any insight.
Last edited by dcordle; Aug 31, 2004 at 07:59 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Ohio
I guess that is why you call it a project. I use to work in a body shop when I was in high school so it no problem for me to pick up on a project like you have mentioned. Are you doing a minor replacement on the floors? To do a nice job the body might have to come off the frame depending on how much you are replacing. I use a Miller welder, the smaller ones are ok to put in panels. Practice is a good way to start on light sheet metal. The floor pans will not be visible if you make a mistake, hanging rear quarters is a different story.
Good Luck on the project, BTW I am just North of Columbus a few hours.
Good Luck on the project, BTW I am just North of Columbus a few hours.
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Grove City, Ohio
Maxium4x4, that was my thought also. As long as the floor pans are secure. Both the passenger side and driver side front to back need replaced. I can buy the pre-formed sheet metal for this car ($70 for each side) but I'll need to cut the old out then weld in the new. I don't think the bode needs to come off for this work.
Thanks and you must be up on the lake if you're a few hours north of Columbus.
Thanks and you must be up on the lake if you're a few hours north of Columbus.
Last edited by dcordle; Aug 31, 2004 at 07:56 AM.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2003
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You asked for a welding site, here is one of the best on the net.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/
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Senior User
Joined: May 2004
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From: Grove City, Ohio
Originally Posted by Sberry27
You asked for a welding site, here is one of the best on the net.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/
http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
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Being new to welding myself, (Lincoln Weld-Pak 155 with the gas kit), definitely get a welder. You'll be suprised at how many other project ideas will come to mind once you're confidence is built up. Regarding floor pans, quarter panels or any other thin sheet work, get in the habit of making lots of well spaced apart spot welds. You said it's a project car so take your time. It took me 2 hours each to weld in quarter panel patches on my pick up, but they're not warped a bit. Good luck
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Joined: Jun 2004
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I recently just finished a welding class for collage, It was a night class and we had a lot a guys in the class just to learn, for home use, the mig welder. I could weld a little before I took the class, but it helps so much when you a teacher would look at your welding bead and tell if your too hot, too cold, to far away and ect. It might not be a bad idea to look into a Community collage to learn the basics of welding
