welding up engine bay
- Thread starter no_slo_5.0
- Start date
Blown331LX
Member
Welding with a Mig without gas is like cutting steak with a spoon compared to a gas mig. I highly recommend a Miller Matic welder, they are the most consistant and most reliable on the planet. You should look into the 175 or 185 model. The 175 is good up to 3/16" plate but the 185 is good up through 1/4" especially when you know what your doing it can even tackle 1/2". The 185 series is the biggest 110 volt welder you can buy, and works flawlessly. If you bay looks decent without gas, wait until you finally have it you will be amazed. Just make sure your welds penetrate the metal, If not they will chip and flake off like a bad paint job. This is the most common mistake by a novice welder, even more so when using non gas, is the lack of heat and a good penetrating weld that will hold.
Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter 
Those little Wire Feed Welders are pretty cool for practice and welds you dont want to be seen. Northern has some good deals on the Hobart Handlers, the Handler 140 with free shipping and a free cart is $449!
88mouse
New Member
The bad thing about the cheap welders are that the handle comes off and you can't but a replacement lead for them. If your looking in to upgrading to a better welder I would go with a miller or a lincoln.
Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter
88mouse
New Member
I was talking more about the welder that northern tool sales. They sell some good one and some bad ones. Such as clark. I have used hobarts, millers and lincoln. I have had the best welds with the miller.
Shakerhood
20+ Year Stangneter
Thats probably my bad for the way I wrote that Post from Northern, I was trying to say that Northern Tool has a Deal on Hobart Welders and that you can snag a Hobart Handler 140 with a Free Cart and Free Shipping for $449.
88mouse
New Member
Its cool. I have used the clarks and they are junk IMO so I say stay away from them.
Make sure the metal is clean and free of paint. You get a stronger and a better looking weld with metal to metal stuff. It makes less work later when grinding them smooth. Be prepared for hours and hours of work. I hope you have lots of time and patience.
