Buying my first welder

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Need a little advice.  I am going to be doing some body patch panels on a 51 Chevy pickup and also some frame work, new cross members, etc.  I have used wire feed welders in the past and I'm pretty comfortable with them.  I have seen the combination plasma cutter/tig welders/stick welders, but never used one.  Can I get some feedback on what you all think would be the way to go for a guy with minimal welding experience?  I'm looking for something used in the 400 to 500 dollar range that plugs in to 230 amp supply as I don't think the 110 units have enough poop to do the framework.  I kinda like the idea of a plasma cutter because cutting torches are a pain in the a@@ in my opinion.
Reply:The problem with the combo units is that if one function of the unit fails, you loose all your equipment when you send it in for repairs. For what your wanting to do you would be better off with a MIG anyway. Something along the line of a Miller 180 or 211.Millermatic 251Spectrum 300 PlasmaEverlast PowerTig 250EXEverlast PowerCool W300Harris / Victor OACraftsman 13 Speed Drill PressProTools Air/Hydraulic Bender48" BrakeCompressor, Notchers, Grinders, etc.
Reply:Definetly a mig welder. The only way to go for sheetmetal. If you plan on doing anything structural get a 220v machine, the new miller 211 is pretty sweet. Check your local craigslist and ebay to find a good deal on a used machine. If you have any questions about a particular machine you might find, post the ad here, and you'll get lots opinions, and if you're lucky one or two might be about the welder.I havn't had any experience with combo welding machines before, but i've never heard of a combo anything that worked as good as dedicated machines. Also oxy/acetelyne torches can do awesome things in skilled hands.Last edited by fortyonethirty; 07-26-2010 at 11:06 AM.Ian TannerKawasaki KX450 and many other fine tools
Reply:You will be better served avoiding the combo units due to their reputations for failure and poor support.  On paper their specs are impressive, but in reality they do not stand the test of time nor have the depth of support neccessary to repair them in a timely manner.  If you look on CL and Ebay for a 220 MIG from one of the big three you will be much better served with support and consumables when you need them.  Your budget is within range for a good used machine capable of doing light auto frame work, but you should insure that the repairs are up to snuff if you dont have experience doing them, since a weld failure at 70 MPH is a bad time to find out about it. As suggested by others, copy the CL ad or the Ebay listing and you will get an opinion, sometimes even about the welder you are considering too.  Welcome to the forum, and holler out when you get closer to a decision.BobLast edited by Rbeckett; 07-26-2010 at 03:20 PM.Reason: spspspspellingI'm spending my Kids inheritance, I dont like him that much anyway!!!!!!Enuff tools to do the job, enough sense to use em.Anybody got a spare set of kidneys?  Trade?
Reply:Thanks everybody.  I Will definitely go with a Mig.
Reply:I know you guys are mostly professionals and probably use the best equipment, but I'm going to ask anyway.  For a guy that is just going to use a welder in his garage for sheet metal and some 1/4 in to 5/16 stock would any of the harbor freight MIG welders suffice??  I'm thinking something that would handle .035  Such as:http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-55250.htmlI know they are el cheepo. but.........
Reply:Originally Posted by Bartman51 For a guy that is just going to use a welder in his garage for sheet metal and some 1/4 in to 5/16 stock would any of the harbor freight MIG welders suffice??  I'm thinking something that would handle .035  Such as:http://www.harborfreight.com/welding...der-55250.htmlI know they are el cheepo. but.........
Reply:This looks comparable to the Miller matic..... opinions???? I think it's about 65 bucks below retail.http://wichita.craigslist.org/tls/1823954471.htmlLast edited by Bartman51; 07-27-2010 at 01:43 AM.Reason: forgot link
Reply:Originally Posted by Bartman51This looks comparable to the Miller matic..... opinions???? I think it's about 65 bucks below retail.http://wichita.craigslist.org/tls/1823954471.html
Reply:After looking for the deals on E-Bay, the one you linked to looks like a great price.Millermatic 251Spectrum 300 PlasmaEverlast PowerTig 250EXEverlast PowerCool W300Harris / Victor OACraftsman 13 Speed Drill PressProTools Air/Hydraulic Bender48" BrakeCompressor, Notchers, Grinders, etc.
Reply:Thanks, now...who wants to loan me 600 bucks???? J/K thanks for your inputBartman
Reply:I ended up getting an oxy-acetylene torch as my first welding rig and I love it.  I can cut amazingly thick steel with the cutting tips and I can weld pretty much everything that I have needed so far (excluding a few very thick pieces).The learning curve was rough - lots of burned steel and crappy looking welds at first.  I have reached the point now where many of my welds don't need to be ground - I have had folks comment that they look as though they were done with TIG.I use the OA rig to repair farm equipment, fabricate tools and fixtures used in firewood harvesting.The things I like about OA are:- able to cut very thick steel- can braze/solder without additional expense (not counting flux)- can heat for bending and shaping (even just using cutting/welding tips)- welds look clean, very little to no slag/spatter to clean up- no major UV to worry about - #5 lense goggles are sufficient eye protection- no power requirements- I get to stump the chumps at the LWS- people constantly try to correct me when I tell them it was OA welded...."you can't weld with acetylene."Folks forget that WWII was won with OA welded weapons and equipment!  OA is amazingly versatile.I understand that OA is not as fast as MIG/stick, but as a weekend welder I find it is a great fit.  It might not be fast enough for a daily production shop, but I have found that it gets stuff done plenty fast.Don't rule out the OA rig - even if you decide to go with an electric welder later you will be glad you have the OA equipment for cutting, bending, brzing/soldering, etc.Hobart LX235Victor 250 Oxy-Acetylene Rig (welding and cutting)Bobcat 773F-350, 1999, 4x4, 16' 10K# trailerOutdoor Wood Burner - 10 cords/year
Reply:Thanks for the info.  I guess I should clarify that I have an AO unit and access to a Lincoln stick welder.  I guess my problem is when I worked in an exhaust shop I got spoiled using the Miller Matic they had, and have never been real comfortable with the stick welders.  Maybe I should just do some practicing with the old Lincoln and use it for my framework.  Might be able to borrow or rent a mig for now.