quick questions for the welding experts

[1975Mustang]

220 outlet

no...I disagree, get the biggest MIG you can afford, this will pay off in the end, I have a stupid little 110v mig that is worthless for anything but sheet metal....its almost worthless for that too...most of my welding(sheet metal or not) I end up using an arc welder for, I'm not an expert in welding by any means, but I have learned you dont cheap out, its a waste of money...and a 220v welder is preferrable over a 110 anyway, I'm sure you have a 220 outlet somewhere in the house available...its easy enough to make an extension cord

Took your advice and bought the 200v welder but Bullit was also right about the extension cord overheating. So, I end up installing a 220 outlet in the garage. Worked out perfectly!

So, Thanks! to both of you!

 

[EP429]

The most important thing to maintain a good quality weld starts long before you fire up your machine, prep work!
Fear not the wire wheel (unless you can't find gloves), clean up the weld area with a vengance. Make sure any gaps are even for good penetration without blowing through. Grab some scrap metal as previously mentioned, make some lap welds, butt welds, plugs, anything you think you might run into.
Welding is fun once you get the hang of it. Make sure you use proper safety equipment or it becomes not fun, and very quickly at that.

 

[hungrymonkey]

wearing leather boots is advised as well. I burned a hole through the nail of my big toe the other day.

Needless to say, that smarted a bit.

 

[KStang65B]

A long sleeve shirt is good too. I got a bad sunburn on my biceps and shoulders after about 15 minutes of welding with no shirt on. It was about 95 in the garage so I figured I'd be fine...wrong!