Getting Ready For Welder and Torch????
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Freshman User
Joined: Aug 2007
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Getting Ready For Welder and Torch????
Ok I do alittle bit of vehicle work on my own vehicles.
I have been thinking That I could have saved ALot of money on vehicles and other things just because the parts needed welded. I haven't welded ever in my entire life but Im pretty good at figuring things out. I know when you weld it is H-O-T. I have a few friends and family members that could easily help me out with it. But I do have a few questions though.
For a begginer what type of welder should I get? Mig, Tig, Stick, ***?
I don't like the idea of using gas but I could get used to it.
I would be welding small things all the way up to car parts.
I was also thinking about a torch....one to cut rusted bolts exhaust and the sort. I Figure I would have to use the gas torch, and Im pretty sure Butane and Propane won't cut it(pun intended).
So what are your guy's suggestions on Welders and torches?
I have been thinking That I could have saved ALot of money on vehicles and other things just because the parts needed welded. I haven't welded ever in my entire life but Im pretty good at figuring things out. I know when you weld it is H-O-T. I have a few friends and family members that could easily help me out with it. But I do have a few questions though.
For a begginer what type of welder should I get? Mig, Tig, Stick, ***?
I don't like the idea of using gas but I could get used to it.
I would be welding small things all the way up to car parts.
I was also thinking about a torch....one to cut rusted bolts exhaust and the sort. I Figure I would have to use the gas torch, and Im pretty sure Butane and Propane won't cut it(pun intended).
So what are your guy's suggestions on Welders and torches?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 563
Likes: 0
From: Llano and Huntsville, TX
most people start out with a mig welder, me I learned with a stick welder then i went to others.
Mig (wire welder) is the beginner
Stick is easy but takes a bit more effort than a mig cause of the burning rod needs to be in constant motion vertically and horizontally.
Tig is one of the hardest and most expensive to get going and for 95% of people will never need a use for a tig welder.
when using a mig a CO2 gas (cheapest), CO2 and argon mix, or argon (alunimum) will provide a better weld bead vs the flux core wire, but for a beginner use the flux core wire till you get the hang of the motions of the welding gun, funtion of the machine, etc...
torches use a mix of oxygen and acetylene. we use victor torches I believe or something like that, i'll look monday when I get to the shop. But you just turn the acetylene valve a 1/4 turn then light the gas with a striker and then turn the oxygen valve till the feather is almost gone and the flame is quiet.
but all the stuff is trial and error. got to learn up close and personal with this type of stuff. hands on work is the key
Mig (wire welder) is the beginner
Stick is easy but takes a bit more effort than a mig cause of the burning rod needs to be in constant motion vertically and horizontally.
Tig is one of the hardest and most expensive to get going and for 95% of people will never need a use for a tig welder.
when using a mig a CO2 gas (cheapest), CO2 and argon mix, or argon (alunimum) will provide a better weld bead vs the flux core wire, but for a beginner use the flux core wire till you get the hang of the motions of the welding gun, funtion of the machine, etc...
torches use a mix of oxygen and acetylene. we use victor torches I believe or something like that, i'll look monday when I get to the shop. But you just turn the acetylene valve a 1/4 turn then light the gas with a striker and then turn the oxygen valve till the feather is almost gone and the flame is quiet.
but all the stuff is trial and error. got to learn up close and personal with this type of stuff. hands on work is the key
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
My suggestion is to get a bunch of scrap garbage and put it together. Try all kinds of different welds- butt, lap, tee, vertical, horizontal, overhead, etc. Get good at out of position welds, and get to whee you're comfortable with your technique before doing anything important. Take classes if they are available.
Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
I like Stick. You can weld outside without having to worry about your shielding gas being blown away from the wind (MIG), because stick welders don't use gas. You just set your amperage and go!
In a pinch, you can turn up the amperage and use the 6010 electrode to cut with. It won't be pretty...but it will work.
In a pinch, you can turn up the amperage and use the 6010 electrode to cut with. It won't be pretty...but it will work.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
I don't think an arc welder (stick) would do you much good on an auto. Unless you are real good at it, you can't weld sheet metal. You can use it to cut though. I have cut 1/4 inch steel with my lincoln 225.
If you mainly plan on doing frame welding, the arc welder is fine. That is what I bought mine for.
A shop wanted $500 to fix my cracked frame.
Bought the welder for $225 and fixed it myself.
If you mainly plan on doing frame welding, the arc welder is fine. That is what I bought mine for.
A shop wanted $500 to fix my cracked frame.
Bought the welder for $225 and fixed it myself.
FTE Legend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 54,000
Likes: 2,399
From: NY and VA
For general use go for a MIG with gas. For an oxy-acetylene outfit there are many good ones out there (Smith,ARCO, etc) I would get one that you can also use propane with-requires a different cutting tip and approved hose. I use mine a lot (with propane)for heating and cutting. Acetylene for welding and brazing. Most of the welding I do is stick (set in my ways) I do have have a MIG but it's set up for bodywork, which I haven't done much of lately. Sometimes you can find good deals in swap sheets, or craigslist. Picked up a Lincoln 225 for $100 last month.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 12,343
Likes: 4,368
From: SW VA
Originally Posted by Super Steve
I don't think an arc welder (stick) would do you much good on an auto. Unless you are real good at it, you can't weld sheet metal.
Small electrode and low amps. Move fast. But seriously...I have a torch that is great for thin stuff. I just gotta get some gas for it...
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
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From: North Dakota
I would recomend getting a 125v mig welder to start with if you have not welded alot then get a stick welder for the heavier material. I pretty much use a stick welder (personal preference) for almost everything except sheet metal where there is a big gap. You would be amazed what you can weld with a 3/32 7018 my favorite size and type.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
My favorite is 3/16 7018 on 3 inch thick steel. Don't have to worry too much about blowing through unless I crank it to 400.
Just make sure you avoid those cheepo flux core mig welders at wal-mart. The welds look crappy.
Just make sure you avoid those cheepo flux core mig welders at wal-mart. The welds look crappy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
Oh, and most important, get an auto darkening hood. It makes it so much easier to be able to see what you are doing before you strike an arc.
I used to use a $50 one from harbor freight and it worked good.
Now I have a $200+ one that work bought.
I used to use a $50 one from harbor freight and it worked good.
Now I have a $200+ one that work bought.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 904
Likes: 0
From: PHOENIX
Torches are great.
Come in very handy when you need to cut through thick stuff.
I wouldn't consider it necessary though unless you are planning on cutting alot of weird shaped metals.
I have a chop saw, jigsaw, sawzall, and bandsaw, and haven't had the need for a torch yet.
They are usefull for non precision stuff. Chopping off junk, lopping off frame sections and bracket, cutting scrap, etc.
Come in very handy when you need to cut through thick stuff.
I wouldn't consider it necessary though unless you are planning on cutting alot of weird shaped metals.
I have a chop saw, jigsaw, sawzall, and bandsaw, and haven't had the need for a torch yet.
They are usefull for non precision stuff. Chopping off junk, lopping off frame sections and bracket, cutting scrap, etc.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 18,488
Likes: 22
From: The Big, Oregon
Pretty much any name-brand torch is ok, I do like and own Harris equipment since there is such a large range of tips available.
Torches aren't just for cutting, I've done a bunch of oxy/acetylene welding, heat bending, blown bolts out of cast iron without damage, and so on, but that all takes practice.
Torches aren't just for cutting, I've done a bunch of oxy/acetylene welding, heat bending, blown bolts out of cast iron without damage, and so on, but that all takes practice.
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