newbie looking to buy, chime in!

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ok guys im just a newb to welding but not to mechanics so if i ask some dumb questions dont flame  me too badly!!!so i have never welded or even attempted to weld before. i do have very good soldering skills (raced RC cars and slotcars for about 10 years, PCB experience) and am very mechanically inclined. i have only taken 3 years auto mechanics in high school but when the tranny blew in my 2002 hyundai accent, i said 'lets do this,' took it apart and rebuilt it pretty much by the seat of my pants. i have very good electrical and mathematical skills and a very good grasp of physics. i am not trying to impres anyone i just want it to be known that even though i have never picked up a welder, from what i have seen people do and what i have read MIG welding doesnt seem like rocket science. but i know theres still a lot to be learned. i am a very fast learner and do it by gathering what information i can and then just going out and getting my hands dirty. my immediate needs for welding have come up because my buddys 2000 elantra exhaust system is leaking really bad, so we might as well slap this old t3 turbo ive had laying around on there . problem is even if we do spend $500 on the manifold and exhaust we still need an exhaust shop to make a midpipe which is more $$$. also i have an intercooler to install on my other car, a 1993 hyundai scoupe turbo and need some piping done up. so basically my needs will be for semi-light duty automotive needs. no heavy frame welding but once i get good i want to crank out a few headers or exhaust systems, intake manifolds, custom fittings, just general engine stuff. i would like to be able to do aluminum eventually but definitely dont have the $$$ for a TIG welder (why do you think i drive hyundais hahaha). so i am looking at gas/no gas 110v welders- also because i do not have 220v in my workspace. i have browsed a bit on here- a lot of good stuff but i hear almost no mention of clarke welders. here is what i have been eying for the past few days:http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...WE6523P-3.htmlprice is a BIG factor for me and clocking in at under $350 shipped with (what looks to be) a good beginner self dimming mask seems intriguing. i plan on using E71T-GS wire for now until the day i can invest in some tanks. will this welder be sufficient (with proper shielding gas and wire) to bond say 6063-T6 aluminum?again i am only talking about .038" to maybe .125 at the very very thickest materials, the lighter the better when it comes to car performance. if anyone has sugegstions on better (very very cost efficient) welders, or tips, or what the cons are with this clarke welder please feel free to let me know so i do not make a purchase that i will regret!! thanks in advance Last edited by beppomarx; 01-21-2005 at 10:04 AM.Just a guy trying to learn!
Reply:if you are in syracuse there is a used equipment supplier that can help you out, www.haunweldingsupply.com i once had them down to 275 on a lincoln sp135+ you can also check used inventory onlineStangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:Well, your right that the light 110v machines are plenty good for auto/body but if you plan on moving on into aluminum, then you should really reconsider the little machines. They generally don't have what it takes for AL.. But then if you don't have 230 out in the shop, that's a tough call.E71T-GS is a good wire in the flux core world. I use quite a bit just in what few projects I do. It works well on light rust, dirt and also lightly galvandized items. Older galvy too if you clean it up more. There are some embrittlement issues with it tho on multi pass applications.  E71T-11 moght be another choice to check into. Needs a bit more prep work on occassion."The things that will destroy America are prosperity at any price, peace at any price, safety first instead of duty first, the love of soft living and the get rich quick theory of life." -Theodore Roosevelt
Reply:yes there is a haun in fulton too where i am originally from. i have not even checked there for welders but i know it is a good place and have been there probably not for a few years though. is the clarke not a good welder in general? do welders tend to break or burn out in often,is that why i hear so much about customer service being held as such a high priority (as in lincoln (ive read they have good cust service)?the wire is just wire, i will experiment with different types no doubt. thank you very much for the tip on E71T-11 though. correct, i wont be doing much more than what was said- manifolds, exhaust, and bodywork. well i am sure later down the road i will be but not immediately. this is like my 'learning' machine for now. within 5 years it will be sold or discarded for a bigger beefier machine once i know what i am doing well and tackle large projects. down the road i will eventually open my own auto shop and one of my goals is to actually build a street car and maybe some racers/drag machines with tube frame from scratch, but again i know it wont be done with a little 130amp welder. i just want to get good and have a machine that will produce good welds so i can start proudicing the before mentioned specialty parts for the hyundai enthusiasts out there, our aftermarket support isnt as large as some other manufacturers. im just trying to do the best i can with 110v for now without breaking the bank. so what are the benefits of the lincoln sp135+ over the clarke welder i listed?Just a guy trying to learn!
Reply:mainly the only differences are readily available parts and duty cycleStangnetShop Full Of Stuff. Joey
Reply:If you are looking for something you will have for several years to come I would be looking at Hobart, Lincoln, or Miller. They have all been around for many years as they all have great after sales service. If you have your machine for 4-5 years and find you have misplaced your owners manual no problem to obtain a new one. Hobart and Miller both have websites with open talk forums where you can find projects, and assistance with problems that could occur, or lots of helpful knowledge. I made a mistake on my first mig welder and bought a different brand then the above three, the warranty wasn't all it was cracked up to be, the manufacturer has since went out of business so finding parts etc. for that welder is almost non-existant. Simple things for that welder are coming harder to find all the time.If you are interested in a good deal on a 110 volt welder you might look into seeing if any place close to you has any of the Hobart HH 135 left in stock. They are being fazed out and the hh140's are taking there place. You might find a HH 135 at a very good price. I don't own one myself, but I have heard nothing but praise about them. I do own the HH175 and have been very happy with it.
Reply:i was actually planning on that before i got the welder i have now, the only concern i had with the clarke, is that everybody on here told me itd be hard to find replacement parts for it, but i was deffinetly gonna buy it before i got the welder i have
Reply:get the sp 135t it is a good machine. very relibel
Reply:Check ebay and buy from people that have a high # for the shortest member time. You can find some great deals if you know what you want and what it's worht plus shipping of course. hope this helps.Brett
Reply:thanks guys. i have been looking around and am leaning towards a lincoln purchase- you get what you pay for i have learned this TOO may times when trying to cut corners.i am looking at sp135T, 135plus, and the 'pro-mig 135.'from lincoln's webaite details a literally cannot find any differences between the 135t and pro mig 135. i really really like the continuous adjustability of the plus model but i havent been able to see a plus come up on ebay- probably for good reason i assume. but browsing ebay i am looking at about a 50% diffenernce in price vs buying a plus model elsewhere. my confusion is that i cannot find any differences between the 135t and pro mig 135. and if the pro model is better with more features or power etc, then why is only the sp model made in plus with continuous voltage regulation control?thanks again you guys are the pros (or at least very very very knowledgeable) and i will trust your opinions, i am still just learning **EDIT**also whats the big deal with the 3200HD? the only difference i see si that its fan cooled for longer life. it seems like all these welders are teh same darn thing but i know theres got to be differences, help!!! Last edited by beppomarx; 01-24-2005 at 11:14 AM.Just a guy trying to learn!