Buying first welder help.

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I'm going to be buying my first welder for home use.What I enjoy doing is chopping up bikes and welding them back together, and hopefully begin to build a 32' Ford (one can hope).I dont want anything fancy. I learned on a MIG Wirefeed, and thats what im going for.My budget is about $300, and I want something reliable and all. What would one reccomend.Also, what does sheilding gas do, and is it needed? This is going to be a garage deal, so I weld mostly with the door open/outdoors. If you need any more info let me know.ThanksBryan
Reply:Bryan. Lincoln, Miller and Hobart all have some great hobby welders. I assume you have only used flux core judging by your comment on gas. Some things to look at are voltage requirements. Does your garage have a 220V outlet? Also $300 is a very low budget for a reliable welder. I suggest taking a look around www.weldingmart.com They have a great selection of hobby models from all major manufactures.Patriot Performance AutoLincoln Power Mig 255CLincoln AC-225 StickVictor Journeyman O/AQuincy QT-5 Compressor
Reply:Take a look at Northerntool.com, they have some good prices on Hobart and Clarke MIG welders. I bought my small MIG, 110v for portability, in the Clarke series and it's been a great little unit for the price, not to mention it has a 10 year warranty on the transformer. No other manufacturer has a warranty like that.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MicroZone10 year warranty
Reply:Yepper, all their stuff has the same warranty. Taken from their 130EN description off northerntool: The Clarke 110 Volt Arc Welder is the ideal professional welding kit for DIY, home workshops and auto/industrial applications. Easily converts to gas with conversion kit Item# 16472192 (sold separately) for MIG welding. Welds mild steel, aluminum, stainless steel and cast iron. Solid state electronic heat control with larger PC board for better wire speed control. This feature-filled welding kit has a 10-year limited warranty on the transformer and 1-year limited warranty on parts and labor.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com
Reply:When we worked in my buddies garage, we used wirefeed with gas. Im going to find out what he has this weekend and all.I think my garage has 110 volt, I doubt its got a 220.Any more info would be great.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hoff-Man_BMXI'm going to be buying my first welder for home use.What I enjoy doing is chopping up bikes and welding them back together, and hopefully begin to build a 32' Ford (one can hope).I dont want anything fancy. I learned on a MIG Wirefeed, and thats what im going for.My budget is about $300, and I want something reliable and all. What would one reccomend.
Reply:weldingdepot.com has pretty good prices on Clarke mig welders, and you can order one in several different package deals including regulators, carts, helmets, and even shielding gas tanks.When the  drops the  stops!Check out my website at:  Tombstone 180 ACHandler 120Millermatic 210Powermax 380Harris & Victor torchesSawzallChop Saw
Reply:Thanks for all the great help.The main question. Do I NEED gas? What does it do? I will be welding mild steel and not much else. Thickness will be less than 5/16".So is GAS really needed?
Reply:You do need gas if you are planning on running solid wire, it is not necessary if you are running flux-core.If you don't have the time to do it right, then you definitely don't have the time to do it over.
Reply:Originally Posted by Hoff-Man_BMXThanks for all the great help.The main question. Do I NEED gas? What does it do? I will be welding mild steel and not much else. Thickness will be less than 5/16".So is GAS really needed?
Reply:It looks like I would need Gas then. I plan on welding sheetmetal and thin tubing really.Thanks for the help, now I just need to find a nice 110v MIG. For under $400 with gas.
Reply:Here you go, great package deal: http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...Product%20PageIncludes gas conversion, welding cart, helmet, 10 year warranty. This is the unit I got for portability. Love it! Best deal by far...anywhere.John -  fabricator extraordinaire, car nut!-  bleeding Miller blue! http://www.weldfabzone.com