welder question

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Oct 8, 2002 | 07:55 AM

jwtaylor

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welder question

I saw an arc welder in jcwhitney for $99 sounds like a deal to me. Would this take care of my body work aspirations. I would opt for the mig but I can save 300 dollars on something I will use every once in a while. And buying the arc welder would save me a lot of money rather than having someone else do it. I have done arc welding a couple of times and did a good job of making the weld look like a roll of laid over quarters which I think is what is supposed to happen. So am I on the right track? All input appreciated

Oct 8, 2002 | 07:41 PM

Huntsman

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From: Northwest Fl

welder question

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 08-Oct-02 AT 08:43 PM (EST)]

The stick welders, which I am assuming you are referring to, even with the 1/16 rod was too difficult for me to use without burning holes (with a Lincoln welder).The only welder I have had success with has been a mig welder with the argon/co2? combination gas, and then I still had to have patience and practice.

Unless you have a little skill and practice on simalar weight sheetmetal you stand a very good chance of making a mess of things. Been there, done that!

Oct 8, 2002 | 10:07 PM

41Clay

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From: McAlester, OK

welder question

stick welders are good for thicker metals. I like to refer to them as "farm welders" because they can fill in big gaps for jobs that will "get the job done" but not in a pretty manner. I recommend a tig for body welding but they are VERY exspencive. I get by with a mig. They are cheap and good for for all kinds of jobs, although you can not weld metal that is too thin or too thick, but gas hook ups and thicker wire are availible. :-)

Oct 9, 2002 | 12:21 AM

oldroady

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welder question

a stick welder that sells for $99 has got to be a ac only machine. very little use for sheet metal, if any. cheap flux core migs are going for about $200-$300. true migs, "gmaw" are $550 bottom line without a gas bottle, which is required. miller 135 is a great little mig, very easy to use, a bodymans dream. it also gives you the ability to do stainless, and if you get a spooler, aluminum. you will never be sorry about the money spent on good equipment, and they are all going up at the first of the year.
roady

Oct 9, 2002 | 10:46 PM

welder man

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welder question

The best thing I can tell you is you get what you
pay for.
If you get the cheaper welder you wont be happy in the
long run.
Millers,Lincon,hobart,Esab they all make good small
migs.
Any one of them will make a good home welder I have a
Lincon 155weldpak that works great I got it used for 200.00
you dont need gas to use them you can used flux core wire.
good luck with what you pick out.

welder man

Oct 10, 2002 | 08:43 AM

jwtaylor

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welder question

Well appreciate the responses, I was afraid that a mig was the way I would have to go. I agree you get what you pay for. Appreciate it

Oct 13, 2002 | 05:51 PM

theonlybull

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From: clementsport canada

welder question

i weld every day for a living, and stick is great for larger, fab work (not just farm welding, pass an exray test and then tell me it farm welding) the mig is great for body work, i use our 200 amp millermatic with c02/argon mix and .035" wire, and do all our body work on our 70's era fords. biggest thing is to make short welds, to keep the heat from warping the material.
a small mig with the gas kit will be all you need for body work, and the thinner the wire, the easier it will be