? for the welders....

[greg64]

I've got a question for all you guys who like to melt metal together....

What welding equipment do you have or wish you had for doing work on our old rigs? I'm hoping we can come to some consensus on what works best for our needs (specific manufacturers/models/ampacity would be great).

Myself, I've been a stick welder for years. But, that's not much good for body work, although I've been able to weld 16 gauge with 1/16" rods. Thus I'm in the market for better equipment.

Since most of us aren't in a production environment, I'm curious if a TIG welder's flexibility (but lack of speed) would be beneficial versus a MIG. And how about MIG with gas or with flux-core?

Since no thread is complete without pics, I offer the following pic of one of my better stick welds where the flux peeled off itself as it was cooling (no chipping necessary).

[joe231]

TIG can only be used on clean metal, where MIG is more versatile.
(I really want a TIG though )
MIG with gas is much cleaner, better for sheet metal.
Flux core wire spatters alot, and is a pain to clean up.
I don't want to use a chipping hammer on body panels.
A 110 machine is plenty to weld about anything on a truck.
Don't think you need much more than 100-140 amps.
We have a Century 110 (believe it isa 110-120 amp) at work, it will weld 1/4" no problem.
You probably want to stick with a "name" brand welder for ease of finding parts and service, not to mention reliability.
there was a large thread on the subject awhile back. should be able to search for it.

[ClassicAutoResto]

I have a Miller, I use the fluxcore without too many problems. I do get spatter, but it cleans up easily. I like the ability to weld down to 22 ga. as well as up to 1/4 inch. Minimal burn through on thin guage if done in a series of stitch welds every 1 1/2 to 2 inches, and I have not had any warpage problems using this method on body sheet metal. Jerry

[originalJD]

I just wish I had a freakin wire welder But I'm so broke all the time I can never afford one.

[semperfidoordie]

i know a decent MIG welder is a ESAB they're about the same size as joe231's and do a good job. Gas is much easier and cleaner of a process definitely. I don't know how expensive argon is though...? I'm actually looking at getting myself one as well so i'll start researching and let you know if i find anything out

[semperfidoordie]

and already having welding experience you know as well as the rest of to weld in stitches as classicauto said...that way the cooling doesn't leave you with a canoe looking piece of sheet metal...nice looking weld by the way...what kind of rod were you using? 6010?

[greg64]

Originally Posted by semperfidoordie

and already having welding experience you know as well as the rest of to weld in stitches as classicauto said...that way the cooling doesn't leave you with a canoe looking piece of sheet metal...nice looking weld by the way...what kind of rod were you using? 6010?

Yep I know about welding in stitches, thanks. I was using a 7018 rod for that weld. Medium penetration (less than 6011). I find I get good results on 1/8" steel with this rod.

[62 short step]

I have a Lincoln 140 mig. I'm running fluxcore right now, it does a good job. Not much spatter at all. It does great welding patch panels in, and can weld up to about 3/8 thick metal.

[slammed1966chevy]

I have the same welder as Jeremy , It does do an excellent job Just later on i am going to upgrade to another one . But Greg if you could i recommend you to get a Tig they are awesome very clean welds i used one to build a trailer in my shop class .

[greg64]

Originally Posted by slammed1966chevy

I have the same welder as Jeremy , It does do an excellent job Just later on i am going to upgrade to another one . But Greg if you could i recommend you to get a Tig they are awesome very clean welds i used one to build a trailer in my shop class .

I've MIG welded before, but I've never used a TIG although I'm familiar with the process. A local outfit here that sells welding gear (amongst a lot of other good stuff) offers both MIG and TIG classes. I was thinking about taking the TIG class and talking to the instructor.

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

[ChiefRocka]

I have had a Miller 250MP MIG for 15 years, and have never had a problem with it. It has enough power to weld on a bridge, never had to though.

I have welded patch panels with .035 wire with the power turned down, and it works great !!

I use a Argon/CO2 mix which provides a nice clean weld.

Just recently purchased a Miller Plazma....because of the good luck I had with my Miller.

My BIG purchase will be a TIG.

[scotts62]

I have a lincoln mig, it works great! Well worth the money spent! and to answer the question about the price for gas, its right at $30 for a fill up on the medium sized bottles which is not too bad, and it lasts a while unless you weld as much as i have been lately

[greg64]

Originally Posted by ChiefRocka

I have had a Miller 250MP MIG for 15 years, and have never had a problem with it. It has enough power to weld on a bridge, never had to though.

I have welded patch panels with .035 wire with the power turned down, and it works great !!

I use a Argon/CO2 mix which provides a nice clean weld.

Just recently purchased a Miller Plazma....because of the good luck I had with my Miller.

My BIG purchase will be a TIG.

The Miller 250 is about what I was looking at too. Geeze, that and a plasma! That'd be sweet!

John, what jobs would you use the TIG for (over the MIG) if you had it?

[joe231]

Originally Posted by ClassicAutoResto

I have a Miller, I use the fluxcore without too many problems. I do get spatter, but it cleans up easily. I like the ability to weld down to 22 ga. as well as up to 1/4 inch. Minimal burn through on thin guage if done in a series of stitch welds every 1 1/2 to 2 inches, and I have not had any warpage problems using this method on body sheet metal. Jerry

Originally Posted by 62 short step

I have a Lincoln 140 mig. I'm running fluxcore right now, it does a good job. Not much spatter at all. It does great welding patch panels in, and can weld up to about 3/8 thick metal.

What size flux core you guys running?
guess maybe you get less spatter doing the series of spots on sheet metal.
most of the welding I do with ours is 1/8th to 1/4 steel and the spatter is pretty bad, easiest way I have found to remove it is a small hammer and chisel, I damage the surrounding area using the chipping hammer.
if you will be welding out side, flux core is the way to go, with shielding gas it can be blown away by the wind and cause you problems.
I need to go get our argon refilled

[ClassicAutoResto]

Originally Posted by joe231

What size flux core you guys running?
guess maybe you get less spatter doing the series of spots on sheet metal.
most of the welding I do with ours is 1/8th to 1/4 steel and the spatter is pretty bad, easiest way I have found to remove it is a small hammer and chisel, I damage the surrounding area using the chipping hammer.
if you will be welding out side, flux core is the way to go, with shielding gas it can be blown away by the wind and cause you problems.
I need to go get our argon refilled

Joe I am running .035 fluxcore. I use it almost daily as I do mainly rust repair restorations for my customers. I do get more spatter with thicker materials but it works fine for 16 - 22 guage. Jerry

[joe231]

thanks for the info Jerry. that is what I'm running also, guess i need to practice on some sheet metal.

[truckdrivinsob]

I have a harbor freight special right now and does ok its a 110 machine. I am saving up for a millermatic 140 right now. The ability to adjust the voltage from min to max in whatever increment you want is the best. I hate have only 4 settings sometimes you just need more.

I love to tig weld but its just not practical for working on trucks. And it hurts to think about spending that much money on a tool you may use a few times a month!!

[Rollie396]

I have a MM210 for a wire feeder and a M180SD for a tig/stick.IMHO Miller or Hobart (rebadged Miller) are the best electrics available.The 210 is 7 position tapped voltage which is just fine for anything that needs doing within it's operating range.The infinite voltage of the 251 is nice,but I wouldn't spend the extra money just for that.I'd be more likely to spend the extra for the fan on demand that the 251 offers (210 doesn't)Fluxcore is fine if you don't want the added expense of gas,but gas is just so much nicer for lighter work so if you even think you might be able to find a way to make yourself justify it....do it,get the gas.
As far as wire size for bodywork,cool .035 works well,but I like the .023.It seems a bit more finicky when it comes to settings,but it puts less heat to the tin and is capable of thinner beads and a smaller cap.
That brings us to the tig.The metal does need to be cleaner,it's slower,it's more involved to set up (proper tungsten type,size and prep.Proper size filler rod,proper size cup,gas pressure etc.),but the weld it is capable of producing is far better than any mig can do.It will produce a tiny,well penetrating weld that requires next to no grinding (with practice of course).It also works very well for aluminum and stainless (amoung many others).
That said,I don't think a tig is at all necessary in most cases unless you deal alot with different alloys or very light material.A good mig will serve you well.

[greg64]

Thanks for all the feedback, guys. I think I'll back burner the TIG idea until I have more garage space (years away). For now, I can probably do what I need with the MIG (and perhaps leave enough left over for the plasma )

Rollie396, I know what you mean about the quality of the TIG welds. I had a small spot repaired in my differential cover (just the stock stamped cover), by a fellow at my father-in-law's work. He TIG welded the repair, and it's one of the most beautiful welds I've ever seen (especially given the thickness of the material).