Broke Mechanical Engineering Student Looking for Help

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Hey guys. I'm currently going into my junior year of college for mechanical engineering.  I've always loved to build things and I'm really good with math so my major was a pretty easy choice for me.  I started making a motor scooter with my cousin last year but due to him having a baby on the way, conflicting schedules, and having to drive to his house to work on it, the scooter is now sitting half done in my barn.  I also love making 3-d art so I would like to be able to get into that also. My situation is that I work at a company which throws out insane amounts of sheet metal.  I have access to a large amount of this metal for free.  I know that this is an amazing opportunity to get into welding so I want to take advantage of it.  My issue is that this sheet metal is either 19 or 20 gauge (about 1mm thick).  I also have access to metal that is up to a quarter inch thick so I want to be able to weld that also.  I would love to get some advice on machines that I should look into.  Most that I see are rated for 16 gauge and thicker.  I was looking into this machine originally --> http://www.homedepot.com/buy/tools-h...er-193815.htmlAnd then due to cost I was recently looking into stick welders.  I really don't have the money for a gas setup so I would have to use the flux-cored wire.  Would there be any tricks to use these machines on this thin metal or is there no way? Could i possibly weld two pieces of thin sheet metal to a structure made of thicker wire with these machines instead of trying to weld pieces directly to eachother?Thanks in advance for any help and sorry for the wall of text
Reply:Why don't you sell some of the scrap on Craigslist and get some money to buy a little larger machine?  The Lincoln migs are great little machines.  The 120v one that you are looking at is fine for sheet metal, but it won't weld much over 1/8" thickness.  If you want to weld this sheet metal to something structural, I recommend a 220-240v Lincoln mig (that they also sell at Home Depot).  They will both work with flux core or as a gas mig.Miller Syncrowave 350Millermatic 252/ 30A spoolgunMiller Bobcat 225g w/ 3545 spoolgunLincoln PowerArc4000Lincoln 175 Mig  Lincoln 135 Mig Everlast 250EX TigCentury ac/dc 230 amp stickVictor O/AHypertherm 1000 plasma
Reply:Thanks for the reply  I wouldn't be welding the sheet for anything structural because it's really thin.  I can't sell it either because my work sells it for scrap and they only let you take what you will actually use.  I think they would probably see that as stealing. I'm really curious if it's possible to weld 20 gauge sheet with  something like this --> http://www.lowes.com/pd_98103-1703-K...ntity_sold%7C1i'm worried that it would blow holes in it.
Reply:Start looking at garage sales and craigslist. These small 110 wirefeed welders come up cheap all the time.My Dad picked up a Lincoln Weld Pak 125 HD (same as you linked to) for $60 (yes sixty) bucks at a garage sale a few weeks ago. Didn't look like it had been used more than a couple times. It came with everything except the bottle.The deals are out there if your looking.The stick welder says it is rated for 16 gauge or thicker. A wire feed, especially with gas, is ideal for your thinner gauges.Last edited by forhire; 05-21-2011 at 08:52 PM.
Reply:I hadn't thought of that too much before.  Would there be any downside to getting one used? Do they tend to break from overuse or anything like that?
Reply:Originally Posted by Lawnfairy243I hadn't thought of that too much before.  Would there be any downside to getting one used? Do they tend to break from overuse or anything like that?
Reply:cool thanks for all the help. I guess I know where i'll be coming for more help once i get one haha.
Reply:You will see, you can never have enough metal to practice on. I would start collecting today. You might want to check out the thread about 110/220 machines. Since you are an engineering student I'm betting you can read, research, research, research so you are ready to pounce on that great deal that when it presents itself.
Reply:Just figured I'd update.  I ended up buying a Hobart Handler 140 mig because there was a 15% off sale going on.  Also, I work at a radiator/towel warmer factory and they throw away thousands and thousands of pounds of steel every week so I don't think I'm gonna run out of practice material any time soon  I can't wait for the machine to arrive, and I will definitely be posting pictures of my creations as soon as i start. One more question.. I play paintball way too much and i have 5 or 6 co2 tanks that that I used to use for that.  Has anyone ever used this adapter? http://www.amazon.com/Hobart-770626-.../dp/B002VECKSI  It seems like an awesome thing for me but I'm a little worried about putting it on a $500 machine because I know liquid co2 REALLY destroys electronics if they come too close together.
Reply:That Co2 kit will be perfect for you since you already have the Bottles.Now go and study up on why it will work and you won't be putting Liquid co2 in the machine ( like you don't have enough to study)Ed Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:Your grammar is excellent.
Reply:The only thing i can think of is that there is something in the regulator that doesn't allow liquid co2 to get through?  I just know that these same tanks that I have can ruin electronic paintball guns.  I looked through the welders manual and couldn't find anything.
Reply:Originally Posted by Lawnfairy243The only thing i can think of is that there is something in the regulator that doesn't allow liquid co2 to get through?  I just know that these same tanks that I have can ruin electronic paintball guns.  I looked through the welders manual and couldn't find anything.
Reply:Originally Posted by Lawnfairy243The only thing i can think of is that there is something in the regulator that doesn't allow liquid co2 to get through?  I just know that these same tanks that I have can ruin electronic paintball guns.  I looked through the welders manual and couldn't find anything.
Reply:thanks..good points guys.  I'm gonna look into this more when my machine arrives.
Reply:Originally Posted by Lawnfairy243thanks..good points guys.  I'm gonna look into this more when my machine arrives.