Welder question
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 22
From: Lacey, WA
Welder question
Hi,
Would someone please explain to me to the different applications of a wire welder verses a MIG? As you can tell I know little about welders. I am considering buying a welder for sheetmetal work(floor pans). Will a wire welder work or pay the extra and get a MIG?
Thanks,
Lee
Would someone please explain to me to the different applications of a wire welder verses a MIG? As you can tell I know little about welders. I am considering buying a welder for sheetmetal work(floor pans). Will a wire welder work or pay the extra and get a MIG?
Thanks,
Lee
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 466
Likes: 10
From: Albuquerque, NM
Welder question
A wire welder (wire feed) is a MIG welder. Maybe you are thinking of a stick welder? A MIG welder (Metal Inert Gas), is a good welder for fender and panel work on your vehicle. The wire is either flux core (no gas needed) or solid core (gas type-usually a mixture of Co2 and Argon). I paid about $250.00 for mine at Sears. It uses 112V which works well for me. If you use the gas it cost me about $100.00 for the bottle and about $25.00 to refill.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,475
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Welder question
Hi, the MIG is the way to go when doing body and fender repairs it will also weld heavy stuff if the other welder you are talking about is a stick welder they usually burn holes in body panels. they are just not really set up to weld light stuff like floors or fenders and they create alot of heat which will distort body panels. John
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 22
From: Lacey, WA
Welder question
Thanks for the responses. Well I may be wrong but I have been looking at welders at Lowes and Home Depot. They have welders that do not come with regulators that they refer to as "Wire welders". They also carry welders they refer to as MIG. Can you weld sheet metal without the gas?
Thanks,
Lee
Thanks,
Lee
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,475
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Welder question
Hi, if it says it is wire feed but doesn't have a regulater then it would be okay for body work it has to have flux core wire. the flux core takes the place of the gas no quite as good but it will do the same thing. John
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2000
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Welder question
I think Lee and I have the same question.What exactly is the difference in performance between a wire feed welder with flux core wire and a wire feed welder with gas?Im looking for a welder that will do a good job on small patch panels and fender repairs and stuff like filling trim holes. will a wire feed with flux core wire do a good job without the bother of gas?
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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Welder question
Hi, it will work but not with the ease of welding with gas it just works a whole lot easier and faster with gas but as long as it is wire feed it will work just takes alittle longer to do it without the gas doesn't weld as smooth so it take patience and time. John
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
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Welder question
I would definitely get the gas if you are at all concerned with the appearance of the finished weld. The gas blows the crud out of the weld, and leaves a smooth, uniform bead. Its really hard to get a smooth flow with the flux wire. Spend the extra, you'll be glad you did.
67 F100 BBF
"Rat Killer"
Welding I did on my truck: Shaved gas filler, welded all body seams (front to back), roll pan, dash pad holes, installed extra stock wheel wells for a factory looking tub-job, flipped handle on tailgate, and the exhaust system. Never welded before this project either!
67 F100 BBF
"Rat Killer"
Welding I did on my truck: Shaved gas filler, welded all body seams (front to back), roll pan, dash pad holes, installed extra stock wheel wells for a factory looking tub-job, flipped handle on tailgate, and the exhaust system. Never welded before this project either!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 1,493
Likes: 346
From: SE Iowa
Welder question
[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON 25-Apr-01 AT 01:41 PM (EST)[/font][p]I would definitely use the gas. Use a mixture of 75% argon/25% CO2. you will get lots of spatter, but it will penetrate the best. Using a gas allows you to weld thinner metal than a flux core. The flux wire pulls more amps,so it best with thicker metals or multiple pass jobs.
If anyone needs any welding advice, I've been a production welder for about 4 years now (2.5 with Vermeer Mfg., 1.5 with John Deere.) Of course Ive been welding of and on since I was 12. Whatever you need brazing, stick, MIG (flux, solid, 110,220,440 3 phase.) I also have some leading experience.
Stryder
If anyone needs any welding advice, I've been a production welder for about 4 years now (2.5 with Vermeer Mfg., 1.5 with John Deere.) Of course Ive been welding of and on since I was 12. Whatever you need brazing, stick, MIG (flux, solid, 110,220,440 3 phase.) I also have some leading experience.
Stryder
