welding???

[McC_65_91]

Im pretty new to this, building my first project here. A 65 GMC k1000, not a frame off resto, but i would like to try and do the body work myself, as well as some other welding projects around the house.
Ive done a little welding before but dont have my own. Does anybody have suggestions on buying a arc welder. I dont need top of the line and i wont be using it for anything real heavy. I would be willing to buy used and open to really any suggestions

[EVBuilder]

There are a number of options. If you want to buy a new welder Lincoln has a nice little 110 unit as does Hobart. Neither are all that expensive and both are wire welders which is the best thing for the hobiest. One bit of advice stay away from flux core welders. They do a crappy job and you wont be happy with it. Also if you are looking at used ones there is Craig's list and ebay. Just be careful and ask a lot of questions as to why the guy is selling it. You don't want to buy a unit that doesn't work. Keeping in mind that with a wire welder you will need gas as well. TSC has a gas exchange program as well as most of your on going supplies.

[63 & 64 Bowties]

If you're looking to buy new, I would highly recommend this guy....
http://stores.ebay.com/weldingsuppliesfromioc
Indiana Oxygen Company's eBay store.
I bought a Miller Spectrum 375 plasma cutter from them a while back. It arrived lightning fast in a factory sealed box via UPS. Before I bought it I checked with the local welding supply stores and nobody could touch the price. Free shipping too.

[steverino66]

I used mine today - I got a killer deal on a used Lincoln 110 (Home Depot model HD3200) on craigslist, less than half of new - I'd watch for one of those deals if you're not in a hurry.
Stick with a good brand for parts availability.

[boucher racing]

X2 on the 110 mig. I just bought a Hobart 140 w/ 75/25 gas blend and it works real well. No flux core wire!

[Muleman100]

X3 on the 110 MIG> I have used my Hobart 140 Handler for over five years with no problems whatsoever. I chose a 110 bcause I can move anywhere in the shop or beyond because I have only two 240 outlets in my shop. I would not recommend a flux core welder because the welds are terrible.

[andyh1956]

the guys are right- go with a 110 wire & it should do most of the jobs you want to do from fenders to bird feeders. i have several welders but the one i use most is a miller cricket. uses .023 wire, steel mix gas & it's as handy as a shirt pocket. i even loaded it up & took it to the coast & rebuilt paw n laws craft matic bed out on his carport. oh yeah don't buy a cheap helmet!
andy

[toms84ss]

There's nothing wrong with flux core wire. You may need to run it if your trying to weld outside with any kind of wind. Your shielding gas wont cover your weld if you have a nice breeze outside when your welding. I don't use it all the time. But every now and again I have to to get a job done.

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

Originally Posted by McC_65_91

Im pretty new to this, building my first project here. A 65 GMC k1000, not a frame off resto, but i would like to try and do the body work myself, as well as some other welding projects around the house.
Ive done a little welding before but dont have my own. Does anybody have suggestions on buying a arc welder. I dont need top of the line and i wont be using it for anything real heavy. I would be willing to buy used and open to really any suggestions

YouTube - ‪Tool Tech - MIG Welder...

YouTube - ‪Tool Tech - TIG Welder...

YouTube - ‪Tool Tech - Welding...

[1Bad62Pro/Street]

What we have a the shop now
They do thier job for the time being.....:

[thunder71]

anyody TIG? the only way to go

[LILRED66]

I have had great luck with my Miller 175 MIG maching, running .023 wire and CO2/Argon gas. It is a great machine for sheet metal work, as well as, some projects up to 3/16"-1/4" steel.

An arc welder is not a good solution for sheet metal work, so I think your money is better spent on a good quality MIG machine. I also suggest a auto-darkening hood, when doing a lot of sheet metal repairs.

[toms84ss]

TIG welding is the bomb. But you wont find a cheap set up like you can with a wire feed. Especially if you get an AC/DC machine for aluminum.

[EVBuilder]

No you wont, I just bought a miller Sincrowave200 a year ago and it was not cheap. But it will be the last welder I ever buy. I have pictures of in 60 to 66 gallery's of the axle I welder with mine. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[OKGMC4]

I've used my Lincoln 110 MIG for everything from thin sheet metal to plate steel. I've also used Hobart 110 and 220 MIGs and they are great too. My father in law had his first Hobart for 16 years before it ever had a breakdown. Flux core is OK outside and on thick stuff but on thin metal you really need the gas for accuracy and cleanliness. I used one of the Harbor Freight cheapies one time and was pretty disappointed with the adjustability, or lack of it. Just get a name brand and enjoy.

[thunder71]

with tig you get nice clean welds,no sparks,more control........i luv it

[McC_65_91]

i think im gonna go with a lincoln 110 mig, i will however e doing some welding outside. is it that hard to use a mig outside? lincoln also makes a 110 unit that does mig and flux for about 200 more, is it worth it or should i go with jsut the mig you guys think? i could easily set somthing up to block wind for working outside but will it still come out crappy?

[EVBuilder]

Setting up a wind block is what they do on rigs and pipe lines. It makes perfect sense over spending another $200 plus wasting ten feet of wire every time you have to change over from one to the other. I have done it before and had no problem except in the heavy wind which you don't want to fight with a wind brake in anyway.

[chillware]

Eastwood just came out w/ a couple of MIG welders that look pretty solid and are totally affordable. There was a quick blurb in this months Classic Trucks magazine.. I'm thinking about getting one myself.

Heres the links:
$299 - http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-1...5a-output.html
$499 - http://www.eastwood.com/175-amp-mig-...spool-gun.html

[chev-obsession]

get a 110 wire feed! its your best bet! If you ever wanted to you could get a push pull system for aluminum and maybe stainless wire too!

[srr]

I have both a Lincoln weldpak 100 and an arc welder. I have converted it to the 10 pound spool and am on my 4th 10 lb roll I haven't used the ARC welder in over five years. I also recently added a Hypotherm Plasma cutter. What an awesome tool this is! They are not cheap and even getting it used off of CL it still cost $800.00 plus it came with a cart and an airline filter. This is a "smoker" we made with it from a bad 60 gallon air tank.

A MIG gets my vote!

[McC_65_91]

could I do work on frame/chasis/cabmounts with a 110 mig with good prep work and multiple passes? or do i need something bigger? (probably gonna go lincoln)

[jocko]

I'm a big Miller fan - but also like Hobart and Lincoln. Personally, I would probably get one of those three brands - kind of falls into the "you get what you pay for" category. I'd avoid the Harbor Freight-level stuff, I've heard lots of complaints from friends. The new Eastwood stuff might be good - they are a great company and I've seen the new welders they offer also. The Auto-Set feature is really nice for for the beginner. I've got the MillerMatic 211 with auto-set which is dual-voltage capable (a very nice feature that Miller offers) since I move around a lot - i.e. use 220V when I'm in a place that I have it, 110 when not, which is usually the case.

If bodywork is your bag, a 110 is plenty - but you might start pushing the limit if you want to weld heavy frame work with a 110. So far, I haven't hit any walls using my Miller on 110 setting, it's done fine, but I've only welded up to approx 3/16" thick stuff max. So I think you'd be ok for brackets and stuff on frames.

Generally speaking - I agree with most of the crowd here - a 110 wire feed is a great starting point. If you can squeeze in the extra cash now, I highly recommend an auto-set feature (all you do is select the wire size and the thickness of the material and go to town... no speed settings, etc). you can always set manually too, but thus far - I've found the auto-set features to work great on the miller.

As for TIG - I agree, much nicer looking welds, but I think it takes a bit more to master TIG welding than it does a MIG for the beginner.

Bottom line - I started with the Miller and I've been very satisfied.

[EVBuilder]

Yes you can. I have done some chassis work with 110 machines. There are a few things to keep in mind. Make sure you stay within the duty cycle. Weld only short passes and let the welder rest in between. Use the right shield gas. Usually CO2/Argon blend. Don't use flux core wire. Also preheating helps, even if you only have a small propane torch getting some heat in the weld area first will help with penetration. I hope this helps

[McC_65_91]

im still thinking of going with a lincoln 110v, ive been doing some research and looking for good prices online... anyone know of any good deals or packages? i wanna get it soon, were taking our boat out in a few weeks and the trailer needs it bad.