Auto body Work

admin

Hello,First post but i love browsing all the forums.My Question, as im sure its been brought up before, but i cant find a diffinative answer for. Is:Im am restoring an old *** car, that needs some welding  done.i am looking for an inexpensive welder that would be good for auto body work, gas of course. I know the argument will come up that i should buy more, but that is just not feasable at the time.so my question to you fine Gentlemen is this.What Would Be A good Welder to preform body work with in the Confines of my Garage. I also would prefer it to run of house hold power(115v i think).Thanks alot guys for your input, as i do not want to Be Dooped by a sales men.ThanxMattyV
Reply:Hobart HH140, I would rather see guys stay away from the 120 volts units and get to the 180 but if you are determined to run 120 volt that is as good as any for auto work. You still need a good 20A circuit to run it from. Use 023 solid wire and C25 gas. The HH series machines are probably the best dollar value in their class. There are some that cost more and wont work much better and there are a lot of them that cost less and do not work nearly as well. You can buy them right off the shelf fro Tractor Supply stores, everything there, wire, gas, tips. Get as big of gas bottle as you can.Last edited by Sberry; 09-10-2004 at 06:45 PM.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:Matty, Had a Hobart Handler 120 for at least 11 years doing autobody work like yourself. Sold it only to upgrade to weld thicker metal. Sold it for 1/2 of what I paid for it!!! The HH140 is out now and uses 120volts so that would be my number one choice. You can't go wrong using the small migs for light auto body work...Good Luck!!!Millermatic 210Dynasty 200DX Fisher CZ-5Trek 5500
Reply:Thanks alot guys for your insight.you've been very helpfull.i'm sure this wont be my last questin,as i dive head first into this welding world.Thanks again.Matt
Reply:Im am restoring an old *** car,
Reply:hello everyone!!!im basically in the same situation as matty v, but i wouldnt mind using 220v if it is really better. i have a 1969 chevelle and im gonna be needing to do some minor welding for that and for fun. is the hobart one the best for the money, because at home depot i see a lotta decent looking lincolns-is lincoln any good? and last question (for the moment) is mig the best way to go for body work???
Reply:Yes, MIG will be easiest for autobody. As for Home Depot they offer several models of red machines. The 100's are junk.  The 135's are ok.  The reason I say go to 230V circuit is,,, yes, it is that much better. 120V is so limited by the nature of the circuit itself.  For 20% more money a Hobart 180 is really twice the machine the 140 is. It also keeps them from being used on circuits there is no business welding from. I know 140 and 180 doesnt seem like twice,, but it is. Long story. You can turn a bigger machine down, but you can only turn these up so far. These little Hobarts are a good buy too and its all available at TSC stores.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:My TSC here only Had The HH135, and the HH180.  Is the HH135 Comparable to the HH140, or is it just a newr version.hahaha Love that *** Car.Matt
Reply:The 140 is newer as is the 180 and they tweeked a couple features for low end sheetmetal work as cars are getting so much thinner. The 135 is a good machine, well proven.www.urkafarms.com
Reply:The car Im restoring is a 72 VW beetle, the Metal on it doesnt seem to be that thin, so im not sure if thats anything im gonna need to worry about.also they were asking 7something Canadian for the 135, is that reasonably priced.Matt
Reply:I bought a Lincoln Pak 15 (175amp apability) for 650 last week, so 7something for a 135 seems high to me.I also have a question along these lines... Someone said something about being able to turn a big machine down, but if you've only got 5 voltage settings, doesn't it make it a bit clumsy for welding little stuff? I have to admit I'm a newbie welder too, particularly to mig.