Looking at Welders

[fawcett]

Looking at welders. I have no experience with metal whatsoever.
I want to learn though, then tackle the holes in my engine bay and add some sub frame connectors in the stang.
Thinking about taking a class locally if offered.
Prices at Sears were $450-500 for welders.
Im not sure what kind of welder I would want to buy, I guess I may find out when I take that class. Maybe someone on here could help me out a bit?
Also, what else do I need to get? Helmet (duh), and....?
Thanks in advance,
-fawcett

 

[nmcgrawj]

Subscribing....i want to get into the welding game too

 

[fawcett]

not many replies....
what kind of welding is necessary to fill the holes in my engine bay?
what kind of welding is needed to install some serious subframe connectors?
im a talented 23yr old kid, how long should it take me to learn the art of welding so that i can do it on my car and not destroy anything?
-fawcett

 

[loudpedal99]

I would say buy a wire feed (MIG) welder. They are easy to learn, and can tackle all the projects you have suggested. Filling holes with one requires some skill, but then so does filling holes with a TIG, and they are a lot harder to learn all around. There are several articles on Millermatic 135. It is a good quality welder, has infinite voltage control (something many cheaper welders dont have; having only 4 voltage choices is gay), and will weld up to .250 material. It's also reasonably priced (~$600, don't go by the prices on Miller's site, you can find it a lot cheaper). It will run on normal household voltage instead of 220v, so that's a bonus unless you have 220v in your garage.

I learned to weld at Tracker Marine (exclusively aluminum), and all the machines were Miller, so I'm kind of biased. However, Miller is definately a top brand, and you won't regret spending a couple extra bucks on a quality welder.

After buying the welder, you will need a gas tank (may be able to rent one, depending on your local welding supply store), welding hood, gloves, wire, extra tips and cups, and scrap metal to practice on (probably more, but that's all I can think of). Some of this stuff my come with your welder depending on what kind of package you get. It's also nice to have a cart, but I like to think of that as a first project

 

[fawcett]

great thanks for the info,
what kind of gas do i have to get? where do i get it filled up?
i have no experience with welding yet, so please excuse the newbie q's
-fawcett

 

[mo_dingo]

great thanks for the info,
what kind of gas do i have to get? where do i get it filled up?
i have no experience with welding yet, so please excuse the newbie q's
-fawcett

You can use a carbon dioxide/argon mix, as both are inert, and will prevent dirty welds (oxygen is bad when welding).

If you want to work with aluminum, I would recommend a TIG, as you don't need to change wire spools every time you switch metals.

For aluminum, you need pure argon gas.

I don't know where you can get the gas, as I get it free at my work. But if you look around in the phone book, or ask at a local welding supply shop, I am sure they will point you in the right direction.

And as for the welding helmet, an auto darkening one is a must. It makes life so much easier, seriously. It takes a lot of frustration out of working, to flip the visor down/up all the time is annoying. Harbor frieght has them on sale A LOT, just wait for it, and you can pick one up for under $50.
Scott

 

[OrangeMustangGt]

i actually got my lincon from home depot.....it was the "top end" model there......it was around $500. It has a regulator, ect for gas welding, and like i do, you can use it gasless flux core.....its a really nice welder, it impressed me with what it can weld, as far as thickness.