Noob needs advice on autobody floor board.

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So I have an 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D Diesel that has a water leak. I've identified the problems and the sources of the leaks and I have a few pin holes in the floor board and a grape fruit size hole behind the wheel well near the battery tray.So the question is what type of welder do i need? (maybe a MIG).My sole intent is to weld very thing metal and maybe the occasional object around the house. Nothing crazy but at the same time I want to avoid Chinese junk.My budget is limited.. I'd really like to spend 250 or less on the welder itself. Maybe thats unrealistic.advice for a noob please?
Reply:250 won't get you a quality welder unless it's stolen or damaged you may be better off paying someone who has one to fix, 250 won't go very far there eitherbest bet is to buy a used ac/dc stick box and small diameter rods for that budgetBlue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:easy to spend 250 on just the stuff you'll need for a mig. bottle anywhere from 100 to 300 around here. wire, tips, and minimal safety gear will eat 250 easy. start shopping, you might find a deal. I recently picked up a L-tec mig at an estate sale with everything for less than 150. you may get lucky and find a used one but 250 won't go far. I bought mine untested for that price knowing it may be unusable
Reply:Originally Posted by Michael raybest bet is to buy a used ac/dc stick box and small diameter rods for that budget
Reply:I'm with you on the mig, I just suggested a stick because of his budget.
Reply:the op should look at one of the harbor freight units and take an extended warranty, at least if the mig dies he can get a hassle free replacement and down the road upgrade to a name brand....but he can get started with that and tinker around...a small bottle from HF isnt that much either...
Reply:Problem I've seen with the HF migs is that quality control can be spotty. Some are not bad, some are barely usable and many are almost impossible to weld with, even if you have the skills to weld. That makes it really tough on new guys to learn to weld with those units. Is the problems they are having due to their lack of skills, or due to the feed being erratic? A new guy won't be able to tell. I've had students bring in some HF machines that I found almost impossible for me to weld with. No surprise they are getting frustrated by them..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:One thing you might want to do is look into a night class in auto body repair. Where I live the high school votech school runs night classes in this. Welding body panels is very different than welding heavy stock. The techniques are quite different. You may even be able to bring in your own car and work on it in class. I know a couple of people who have done stuff like that at the school near me. That would also give you access to a lot of other tools and equipment that might be really helpful, like a lift to put the car on as you work, plasma cutters and cut off tools to remove the old panels, sand blasting gear to clean and prep the areas to be worked on as well as hands on help from someone trained to do this sort of work. Talk to the instructor and see what they allow and how they run the class. Many times it's geared around individual needs..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If you are doing a concourse restoration, and you want to patch sheet metal, I suggest you become expert at TIG welding.If you are on a budget, and just need a solid patch of particularly bad rust (like on floorboards), look into the possibility of brazing.  Basically a oxy/acetylene setup that can also cut and weld steel in a pinch.  Down side is you must learn to control the heat (excess heat) and you need to make sure all flammable stuff in the area is removed (under coating, oils, etc.)  Personally, If I could get only one welder, and my budget was under $1000, I'd look toward craigslist and focus on the name brand MIG welders - try to get a setup with gas bottle.  Run ER70S2 .023 wire with C25 gas.  For sheet metal, 120V welders are OK.  For frame, I would want 230V (200 Amp) - and that will work on small garden tractors and just about anything around a house.  Keep in mind that a 230V welder requires some electrical work.  In a pinch you can run power from a cloths dryer - custom extension cord.  I've seen newish looking Miller 130s for $600 - complete with cart, helmet and gas.Con Fuse!Miller Dynasty 350Millermatic 350P-Spoolmatic 30AMiller Multimatic 200Hypertherm PowerMax 1000G3Miller Maxstar 200DX
Reply:Considering your financial budget maybe look at this a little differently.How about  rivet some sheet plates in with some good sealant in between?Might stop the leaks just fine. Meanwhile you can shop for a welder that will suit your household purposes down the road.Miller 211 with Spool GunHypertherm xp30
Reply:Far as the welder I was thinking 250 give or take just for the machine.I'm pretty set on learning to weld thin metals but I will do research into rivets and such. Thank you.
Reply:Originally Posted by tackitClean the hole until you get to good metal, prime and paint around hole, slap some 50 year silicone on a piece of easy to form aluminum and pop rivet it over holes, it will be faster and the floor won't rust oust out from the welds, same with the pin holes,  drill and pop rivet them too. if you don't have welding experience on thin metals you'll be patching your patches
Reply:Originally Posted by OkieDaveWouldn't an aluminum patch to a steel floor result in galvanic corrosion?
Reply:Originally Posted by austinwcraigFar as the welder I was thinking 250 give or take just for the machine.I'm pretty set on learning to weld thin metals but I will do research into rivets and such. Thank you.
Reply:Re: HF Welder, small projectsBest technique is to burn some metal, more you burn the better you'll figure it out. It's kinda like wiping, everyone has their own technique.....anyways turn it up till it burns through and back it off a tad.that was me...it's how I figured it out
Reply:what's your location Austinwcraig?? I'd sell this L Tec 130 mig. I don't need it and it's clear with my limited space this thing will never get used much. It has the internal gas valve for a tank and regulator. pm me if your interested..I'll make you a good deal if it works out for you.Blue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:PM sent Michael. All I really need is just something that works and is not total crap like the Chinese junk i see. I really do not care if the old girl is a little beat up etc etc. Just as long as it works and its not the utter bottom of the quality field I'd be more than pleased.
Reply:Blue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:I wiped it off today...looks new. not beat up. don't even think it's scratched anywhere. I have 5 migs and I'm just an auto mechanic. I don't know why I always buy welders...addicted I guess.Blue stock- shopmaster, a/bp330, maxstar 150stl, maxstar 210, hf251, Tbolt ac/dc, mm 135Red stock-ranger 8, weldanpower 150, idealarc 250 ac/dcEsab plasma, Victor OA set, Air products ac/dc 400 ampIt's me flipped in snow..doughnut fail
Reply:Looks good, check your PM. I think I put the last one on your visitor board on accident.Auto wise I tinker. I can do minor stuff but when it comes to things like changing a timing chain I think its best I leave that to the pros.
Reply:The old methods work best.A sheet metal patch pop riveted in with some roofing cement between the patch and floor will work.MIG welding on sheet metal is not easy.I just did the door bottoms on my Ford truck with pop riveted sheet metal.Welding on auto bodies can start fires.My used Miller 130 cost 300 bucks.I had to borrow a gas cylinder from a friend.A cheap wire welder will make you quit welding fast...A gas cylinder will cost 200 bucks.Construction adhesive comes in caulk tubes.Ive been stick welding for 60 years, mig for 10 and find I use stick for most jobs.DO NOT buy a HF fake welder and expect to do good work. 250 bucks wont buy much.
Reply:The only thing with decent support in that price range is an eastwood 135. It's made on China though and has plastic wire feed you have to be careful with. They target the auto body market. If you buy one, purchase directly through them for easier warranty claims.