clueless on best welder

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i need to do auto welding alot and i've decided to learn and do it myself to save money so my question is what is the best welder for the job basicly i do engine swaps in cars and i have to angle grind out the old mount and weld indiffrent mounts for a diffrent type of engine to be fitted and hopefully its not to costly for the welder i can only aford to spend about $100 to $200 dollars on it
Reply:Originally Posted by mgd_onlyi need to do auto welding alot and i've decided to learn and do it myself to save money so my question is what is the best welder for the job basicly i do engine swaps in cars and i have to angle grind out the old mount and weld indiffrent mounts for a diffrent type of engine to be fitted and hopefully its not to costly for the welder i can only aford to spend about $100 to $200 dollars on it
Reply:look for a used ac stick a lot of cars have been built with a crackerbox you can pick them up in pawn shops, yard sales, an the guy down the road. mostly under $100have built a couple (4-5) circle track cars, back in the day. all we had was a good lincoln ac welder.and a O/A torch     O--those were the days
Reply:Originally Posted by mgd_only...i do engine swaps in cars...
Reply:i don't i just farm out the work but i got to think'n bout learnin it to save money so a 220 mig or 220 ac dc stick welder right and yes nothing new just something to do the jobLast edited by mgd_only; 09-22-2006 at 08:56 PM.
Reply:I agree for the price range you are in go with a Stick welder. You can do a lot with them. Just need to practice a bit. I picked up my Airco 225 for 50 bucks. I would assume you can find one in your area for under 150 Bucks if you look. just my 2 Cents.Drivesector Hobart Handler 140Hobart Handler 180Ready Welder 2Hobart Air Force 400Airco Stinger 225Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most."OZZY"
Reply:Don't settle for second best when later you will want the better machine, most welding distributors have in house financing and wow warranty besides product support and parts, take time and think this through.
Reply:check out the linkshttp://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91886http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/cta...emnumber=91887http://cgi.ebay.com/NIB-Lincoln-Elec...QQcmdZViewItemhttp://cgi.ebay.com/LINCOLN-SP100T-M...QQcmdZViewItemLast edited by Dipper Welder64; 09-23-2006 at 11:41 PM.
Reply:Just remember, buying a welder is like buying any other tool for your shop.  If you cut corners when you buy it, you'll end up paying for it again down the road.  You might be better off taking that money and going to a class to learn to weld.  Figure out what you really need from a welder and gain some knowledge.  I wouldn't want to be paying some guy to modify an engine mount on my car that didn't know how to weld.  Doing it as a hobby is one thing, putting other people's safety in jeopardy is another.
Reply:Believe it or not I picked up a used craftsman 220v ac welder from a yard sale for 40 bucks and it works fine. Check some of the yard sale in your area.Will   Supports Autism Awareness                            My ToysBobCat 225 PLusMillermatic 130Miller Spectrum 300 CutmateEverlast Power Tig 185 Micro April is Autism Month .
Reply:Dipper Welder64 has some good links there, but the Hobart Handler prices at Harbor Freight are a little high on their $$$$$.  TSC (Tractor Supply Co.) sells the Handler 140 for $449.98.  The TSC price on the Hobart Handler 180 (I love mine) is $648.63.  TSC is hard to beat on prices on Hobart Welders if you have one in your area.  They also handle consumables, so you can get your tips, etc. right there also at pretty good prices.EdWhen the  drops the  stops!Check out my website at:  Tombstone 180 ACHandler 120Millermatic 210Powermax 380Harris & Victor torchesSawzallChop Saw
Reply:Toolking has the HH175 for less than $500, which is probably the best deal on a MIG welder for the thickness of material we're talking about.  For the price range, the only real option I can think of is one of the tombstone stick welders.-Heath
Reply:Originally Posted by prop-doctorlook for a used ac stick a lot of cars have been built with a crackerbox you can pick them up in pawn shops, yard sales, an the guy down the road. mostly under $100have built a couple (4-5) circle track cars, back in the day. all we had was a good lincoln ac welder.and a O/A torch     O--those were the days
Reply:thanks for all this info and about welding others motor mounts and safty i was gonna practice till i knew i was  sure i knew what i was doing and that it was right but i thank you for the concern and about the shop tool thing your right think i'll just wait a lil and take a few classes and save the money for some thing good and again thanks