welder suggestions

[cbarr300]

well, since I'm taking my engine and trans out the car I figured I'd touch up my engine bay and repaint it. I also wanted to fill in those fender holes...plus a huge hole I made for my fender well intake

I was just wondering what a good welder would be for a beginner. I realize there is a decent learning curve and it takes experience...but I have plenty of scrap to practice on.

thanks for any suggestions

oh yeah, I would pretty much only be using it on the car for a good couple years. I'm not planning on welding anything super thick.

 

[reddy351]

Hobart, Hobart or Hobart. Either a "Handler 125 MIG" or the "Handler 140" will work. Both run on 115vac and will do what you want to do. $400-$600. You will never wear it out, though. Great machines.

 

[cbarr300]

yeah, I've heard really good things about hobart and, if I'm not mistaken, I can get one at home depot.

I've heard a MIG was a good all-around welder and that its a lil easier to learn. Is that true?

Thanks for the info, I've always wanted to start messing around with metal working and figured now is a better time than ever

 

[Iggyshane]

I would highly recommend taking a welding class. I did it this semester and its helped me out tons. I've only learned Oxy-Acetylene and stick so far but from where i started its quite a change

 

[cbarr300]

I'm taking a class either this summer or fall. There's been too many time where I've said, "Man, if I had a welder I wouldn't have to do things the ghetto way."

sooo.....taking initiative I guess lol

 

[Black Stampede]

Miller is what we are using for my turbo.

 

[illwood]

Miller is what we are using for my turbo.

+1 on the Miller

I go to my parents' house when I need to weld because my dad has a Synchrowave 200 TIG (GTAW) welder. It was great for making an aluminum brace to keep my Magnaflow exhaust in position.

You probably only need a MIG (GMAW) welder for what your going to do. It will handle the thin stuff and will run on 110VAC. A stick welder (SMAW) won't be convenient for sheetmetal and you'll probably burn through.

I would highly reccomend buying an auto-darkening helmet, even an entry level one. That way you won't have to worry about flipping your helmet down and losing your position.

 

[blksn955.o]

Buddy of mine has a miller and an oxy torch setup as well. My brother is a cert. welder but I dont know what he has. Get a tank setup it is night and day better.

 

[mo_dingo]

Yeah, a miller MIG with one tank w/ CO & argon mix and you are set. If you plan on welding aluminum get a tank that is pure argon. More expensive but you can't weld aluminum with the co/argon mix.

I taught myself to weld in one day (8 hours or so straight) with the mig. MIG = super easy. I ran a couple rows of beads and tack welds and showed them to our master welder at work. By looking at the welds he told me what to change and the next set came out near perfect. Learning how to adjust the setting on the welder, adjusting height from the material and staying on track are the most crucial; only experience will teach you that.

auto darkening helmet - nothing else is acceptable. Learning to weld is hard enough, you don't need to be fighting the helmet, losing your place and trying to lay a straight bead all at once.
Scott

 

[Iggyshane]

I learned on a flip helm its not that hard after you get use to it

 

[cbarr300]

alrighty, I'm liking that miller MIG.

When my step-dad was around I always heard him complaining about the flip helm. I know that once he got the auto darkening one he said it was a night and day difference.

Thanks for the opinions guys :thumbsup: