What Welder to get?

[sj9ers]

I have a 1969 Mustang and need to install a driver's side floor pan to fill in the rusted one and fill in some unused holes in the firewall. I've never welded before and I am on a budget right now and was wondering what would be a good inexpensive welder for my needs. I know a MIG would be best but they aren't really in my budget and I have seen these flux core wire feed welders Clarke Tools WE6480A Wire Feed Welder - Welding / Plasma Cutter and was wondering if these could be used for my application?
Thanks

 

[67rcks]

this one is by far not worth $200. get one which works with gas e.g. 110v lincoln which is about $50-70 more. flux core melts sheet metal, and I would say is more expensive than solid wire with tank and gas for one project.

 

[shelby69]

I have a small flux in wire Lincoln. It is ok for real light stuff. You are far better off to spend a little more and get a nice mig if you are going to use is often. When I restored my I used a fairly small 110v Lincoln. Have sinced upgraded to a larger Miller.
Its the old tool for every job thing.
Maybe consider just having someone weld it for you. Might be less expensive than you think.

 

[10secgoal]

My one suggestion would to over buy. Once you have a tool you didn't have before, you will find yourself using it ALL the time. I understand a budget. But it's always worse to re-buy.

 

[BarnStang]

THis issue has been discussed extensivily. If you run a search in this you will find a ton of information. Like this: http://forums.stangnet.com/667942-should-i-get-welder.html

 

[AllStangs]

I personally don't agree that you need a 220 welder as stated in that older thread. For what sj9ers says he wants to do with it (ie. floor pans and filling holes) a 110 will do just fine. Combine that with the fact that he's a first time welder and on a budget and I would doubly recommend the less expensive 110 to start.

I've got a 10 yr old Lincoln Weld Pak 100 that I've used the heck out of and had no complaints. Sure I'd like a bigger welder now, but when I first started this was a great one to learn on. But it's not so anemic that I grew out of it in 6 months. If I upgrade now I'll still keep the 110 for smaller, more portable stuff.

If you're on a budget you can spend less initially because it's a flux core welder out of the box. Then as you get used to it and save up a bit more money you can buy the gas conversion kit, which will definitely help your welds.

The Clarke linked above seems a little on the cheap side. I can't comment on that specific machine, but $200 is a little too cheap IMHO.

 

[BarnStang]

For home use that's what I did. I got the biggest 120v welder I could find. You get what you pay for is true when it comes to welders. But for work, the 220v welder gets a workout.

 

[T900enforcer]

I've had an Astro Pneumatic 120 for 15 years and have been pretty happy with it. I have restored two vehicles with it. At one point I had to replace a couple of parts in the wire feed assembly and also eventually put a better regulator on it. Definitely worth the $275 I paid (15 years ago)

T900enforcer