I thought I would see what you all thought. I am "shopping" around for a welder. I need to replace a few things on the stang, such as the inner fender apron, trunk pieces, and a few other small spots. So far it seems like I should get the Miller 135 or Lincoln 135, with Argon. What do you folks think? Will I need a 135 or will a 110 work? I have never welded before but am looking forward to learning! Any tips would be great! Thanks!
Welder Question
- Thread starter Mark66p
- Start date
brtnstrns
Member
I wouldnt buy one. Best thing to do is rent one. I replaced my floorboards and tail panel. Renting one was great...good places around here to rent them, not sure about where you live though. But that'd be your best bet. Oh and MIG welders are probably the simplest especially since this will be your first time. It was my first time to weld and it was real easy with a MIG welder, i'd go with it
stephen4785
New Member
If your gonna buy a welder then i would highly recomend a MIG.I use a Miller Millamatic 135 all long at work and it works great.Just be sure you practice and clean up the area your welding before you weld anythin.A good 2-3 inches on each side of the weld.Alot of people dont clean anything up at all but every welding manual youll ever read always stresses about the cleaning the material before you weld it.
Buy one. It is the best purchase I ever made. Once you have one you will do things you only dreamed of before and you will fix things you once thought should be scrapped. Either get a Lincoln or Miller small home MIG unit with GAS SHIELD....do not use flux core. Get a 220V version because it is hard to find a 120V circuit in a house these days that can handle the amp load of welding without tripping the breaker all the time.
Once you buy one take scraps and start playing around with your welds. It will not take you long to figure out how to weld well. If you need any help let me know.
Good Luck
Once you buy one take scraps and start playing around with your welds. It will not take you long to figure out how to weld well. If you need any help let me know.
Good Luck
67GTFastback
Founding Member
I too recommend buying one. I use a Lincoln 110 with gas shielding and it is great, like spreading butter. For spot welds, I drill small holes where the original spot welds are and then fill the holes to the part it is welded to. Works great and many shops use this approach if they don't have the spot welder. I have a 120V and it works great with a 20amp circuit, I haven't tripped the breaker yet.
1320stang
Founding Member
Flux core uses no gas, good for welding where its windy, but it sucks to clean up after you've been spoiled with gas shielding. Gas Shielding uses Argon instead of the flux core. They accomplish the same thing, they sheild the molten puddle from normal atmosphere until the weld cools enough to solidify. I have a Miller 130 (the 135 replaced it) and a friend who went in with me on it welded a full size pickup frame he cut in half back together with it and it's a 110v version. I do recommend a 20A circuit for it also. I've used it and never tripped a breaker, but I'm also not welding 10' beads either. For most home shops, a 110v unit is fine. I can't believe how someone can get by without a MIG. Even not on any projects, I probably use it once a month just to fix things or fab up something around the house that I need. I've made a T-post driver out of a Sch. 40 galv. fence post, a piece of 3/8" strap steel, and some rebar. I welded up a chain link gate frame instead of spending the money on those worthless expensive clamps, I've fixed my Snapper Rider countless times. Right now I need to weld a nut to the rounded off oil pan plug on the Isuzu Amigo I recently picked up cheap. Best money I've ever spent on a tool next to probably my Cordless drill.
WORTH
20+ Year Stangneter 
I have a 110 it's great for sheet metal, but lacking in anything else, I'm in the market for a 175.
WORTH said:
I agree. I have a hobart 175 and couldn't be happier. If you don't have a 220v outlet, adding it to the garage from the panel is pretty easy stuff. The 220v welders give you a longer duty cycle also.
http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/mig/
For the average garage welder, a 135amp 110v unit will be fine. The 220v welders are more powerful, but its usually not needed unless you're welding 1/4" thick or more stuff all the time. Getting a gas setup definately helps clean up the welds. Visit your local metal yard and ask for scraps to practice on. You'll get the hang of it pretty quick. Hobart is another name to look at besides Miller and Lincoln. All 3 will serve you fine.
Timmy
Founding Member
I too have a Lincoln (flux core) 110v version. I'm going to buy the gas shielding adapter setup soon.
Spend the extra and go with gas shielding. You can make cleaner welds and it's easier to weld thin stuff using gas. The flux core seems to be hotter and harder to control on thin sheet metal......IMO
Spend the extra and go with gas shielding. You can make cleaner welds and it's easier to weld thin stuff using gas. The flux core seems to be hotter and harder to control on thin sheet metal......IMO
skywalker
Member
Timmy said:
I second that. I welded some stuff w/ my lincoln flux-core welder and the welds looked like CRAP! Strong enough, but horrible looking! Used a mig welder elsewhere...and it is amazing the difference...alot cleaner.
67GTFastback
Founding Member
I third that, buy gas shielded. It isn't fun filling holes on a brand new quarter panel after burning through with flux core.
Timmy
Founding Member
Plan on spending $400 to $450 for a Lincoln Electric Pro Series Pro Mig 135. Lowes has them for $437 plus tax.
You may want to check on a Sears Craftsman version. Might be less or more......
You may want to check on a Sears Craftsman version. Might be less or more......
1320stang
Founding Member
skywalker
Member
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