welding equipment

[jlw35]

My '75 spider has some areas that need to be patched, particularly floor pans, some trunk etc.
I'm good with tools, but never welded.
Any suggestions as to welding equipment for someone like me to buy that would not break the bank but still do a decent job? (220 not available in my shed). Suggestions on welding tutorials on the web would be appreciated as well.

Thanks
Jeff

[azruss]

the major welder makers, (Miller, Franklin, etc) make a 110v mig welder that is perfect for sheetmetal work . they are expensive. I bought one from Harbor Freight at 1/3 the price and wish i had coughed up the extra dough. Find youself a 110V mig welder with gas, some spare metal the thickness that you want to weld and start practicing. Once you find the welder's sweet spot, you are golden. Harbor freight has a cheap light adjusting hood that works very good.

[paintdudeluke]

most of the 140s are pretty nice for sheet metal. Frame work is better done with a stick or a 220 mig ($$$). I have a body shop and use a 140 hobart for about everything. The little millers are pretty nice too, but if you never see yourself using it much, just find a buddy with a welder and give him 50 bucks. way less hassle. Besides, guys with welders are usually looking for a reason to use it... unless they do it for a living.

[narfire]

I have a Hobart 180 and as paintdudeluke mentioned, the 140 range welders will work fine with our cars. Snoop around on CL or auctions , they come up time to time. I bought mine cheap as the PO wanted a bigger set up and let this go cheap...sort of. I had let a few small welding shops know what I was looking for and through networking the Hobart came up.

[jlw35]

thanks for the replies.
unsure about the gas welder setup, special licensing required to buy the gas?
Jeff

[SoFlaFiat]

Jeff,
You shouldn't need any special license to buy gas. The flux wire welders are cheaper but very messy so I would make every effort to find a gas model. Just a thought, a marine shore power cord makes for a great 220 extension cord if you have power not too far from the shed.

[jlw35]

good call on the power chord extension. now that I think about it, that would be a good option especially since I would not be welding all that frequently.
Thank You.
Jeff

[garion]

Anyone have experience with the the eastwood welders?

http://www.eastwood.com/welders/mig-welders.html

[AndyS]

a welder and knowledge of how to use it is only a part of what you need to weld repairs on cars. I have drawers full of different kind of clamps, a welding blanket, various types of grinders, wire wheels, different types of cutters, a bunch of hand shaping tools, etc. its a considerable investment. welding is also quite a fire hazard, so its important to understand how to be very careful around gas tanks, under coating, insulation, etc to not start a fire.

I did it once, and it scared the hell out of me. a spark made its way through a hole int he rear wheel arch into the trunk and set some insulation on fire. I had my helmet on, and didn't notice it until it was burning pretty good. Luckily the hose was nearby, but it did do some damage that i was able to repair. I also had undercoating several feet away from where i was working catch on fire. I keep a squirt bottle with me when welding just in case i need it.. the new welding blankets are useful for protecting areas from sparks and splatter.

[azruss]

the gas you use is a carbon dioxide argon mix. This is a non-flammable gas you can buy from any welding supply house. The gas works to shield oxygen away from the weld. The result is a much cleaner weld, less porosity, and minimum spatter. This means you cut the clean-up time to a minimum. Well worth the extra cost.

[fredguaz]

Jeff,
I got the Eastwood 135 mig welder for Christmas on sale for 299. I went to harbor freight and got an auto dark hood for 39. And a cart for 29. My neighbor works for welding co and got me gas mix in big tank for 80.
My son and I are learning how to mig as we go. Now butt welding patches in floor. I also fabbed saddlebag brackets for my motorcycle.
So far I am VERY pleased with the Eastwood 135. You're limited to about 1/4 in thick steel and can't weld aluminum but for floor pans (using 18 and 20 ga. Some 16 ga.) it is working like a charm. It plugs into regular 110 socket. Also happy with HF auto dark hood, but it can't be used for oxy/acet welding.

[Meistro]

I found a used 110v welder Lincoln SP135 Plus on Craig's list for a reasonable cost. Got a 110v as I have no 220v in the area I weld and would be able to use off site, as in other people's homes and garages. Gas is not cheap to start out, but is worth the money as it makes for a nicer weld. Having some core wire around is always a good thing also if something needs to be welded and you have no gas. Just don't leave the gas on and expect to come back in a week and have any in the tank. Ask me how I know. Usually not a big problem, but must have had the trigger pressed a little to leak out the air.

Also, previously bought a 110v welder from Harbor Freight for a $100. Was Ok but is only for welding a little here and there. Uses the non gas wire. Melted the handle by using it too much. Still have it, but use it never after the new welder arrived.

If you have no one to help you learn, I would think of taking a course at a local college or tech school. This would help you understand how to weld and how to properly set up your welder. Often welds look fantastic but don't hold s#@&. Ask me how I know. If I would have known how to set up the welder I would have know that that weld was crap. Welding is not hard, but you are welding something that if it comes apart it could hurt someone or yourself.

Also, practice is another thing that I would recommend. What ever you are welding, sheet metal for example, start with some scrap and practice your tacking and lines. Often setting up the machine is the hardest part.

One more thing and I'll shut up. I didn't think that I would ever need to weld aluminum. But, guess what?? Yep, I needed that option. So, besides thinking of power, 110v vs 220v, you need to decide if you want to weld other metal than steel. Does the machine you want provide that option?

Just my opinion, as I am past my two cents, I'll just say that welding is fun and I use it a lot and fix a lot of stuff other than my cars and bikes. (Make something for the Wife, doesn't matter what it is. She will think that the cost is OK after. Well worked for me anyway!)

Gene

PS Don't get me started on plasma cutters!! LOVE THEM!! (Santa are you listening?????)

[BNelsonAz]

I owned a Trailer manufacturing business and have owned a number of welders. My preference is Miller, with my Millermatic 170 being my favorite, as a balance between power, utility, and cost.

However, it's not necessary to go this level to do car repairs. The Lincoln "buzz boxes" are decent, if you get one of the Gas Shielded models. Using flux core is not a problem with thicker materials, but sheet steel is harder to do without gas shielding.

Preparation and taking your time is the biggest part of welding. Make sure you are using clean metal (no rust, paint or burrs) and always try to minimize and gaps, clamping often and early! Make sure your ground area especially is clean, and as close to the weld as practical. Spatter Dip is awesome for making your tips last longer, and I even found it to make clean-up easier (less use of a chipping hammer).

Don't weld and entire run at one time. Metal tends to twist-up on you when heated, and you end up with quite a different shape than what you intended. Do small spot-welds spaced along the full length, and then finish the runs.

Miller has a good tutorial on welding:

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/basicMIG/

[4uall]

i realize i am late getting to the party however, this might help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxgBKFK0368

[WYSpider]

Jay, thanks for the youtube link. Any book recommendations to help get me started welding?