Intrested in getting a welder...

admin

Hey everyone I'm new here. I've been getting into cars more and more over the past few years and now I have a need to weld exhaust parts. After carefull consideration I want to go with a Mig welder. They seem the best for "newbs" to work with. The problem im having is choosing one. I want something that will plug into a standard house outlet but powerfull enough to weld some thicker metals if i need to because most exhaust flanges are 1/4"-1/2" thick. Im not looking to spend over like 600, but cheaper the better. I also want something that can do flex core and gas just incase I get more advanced I found some nice lincoln's at this website...http://www.asedeals.com/lincoln_mig_welders.html^ Here I was looking at the K2697-1 EASY-MIG 140I also found something like this off of ebay, but im guessing you guys will say its cr@p, but i might has well ask anyway.http://cgi.ebay.com/Wire-Feed-Dual-W...d=p3286.c0.m14If you guys know anywhere to get some good welders at a decent price also let me know!Thanks in advance!!!Last edited by Ianvan334; 07-31-2009 at 06:01 PM.
Reply:I would try your local craiglist or if you have something like a "olemountaintrader" mag with local listings of stuff for sale you might get  a decent welder you can look at yourself to try before you buy. Even look in your local newspaper classified section. Some of the guys here have bought diamonds in the rough and made them into cinderellas. Try as many resources as you can(I do)
Reply:110v and 1/2 inch steel are not going to work together.Most exhaust work can be done with a 140 amp 110v.  Are you thinking you'll need to weld 1/2 inch to 1/2 inch?
Reply:Have you got access to a 240 volt AC power circuit? That is the better the way to go.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:Thanks for the responces, to answer some of your questions...No im not going to welding 1/2" to 1/2"... I have 1 exhaust flange that 1/2 that i need to weld to the end of the pipe thats less that 1/4". With what ive been learning I think I can do it with a welder that can plug into a 120v outlet.And yes I think I do have a 240v outlet but its for the washer and that inside and half way across the house.What do you guys think is the strongest welder that can plug into 120v outlet.
Reply:The "strongest" would be one of the inverter based designs. Unfortunately those are also the most expensive.Mig is what you would most likely be looking for to do exhaust pipe. One of the "best" choices would be a unit like Millers MM211 that will run on 110v or 220v. You are limited to the max power output on 110v, but as it is inverter based, you get the most output on 110v compared to many others. The down side is the high price. List runs about $1200. It is however a unit that is tough to out grow. If you just plug it into 220v, you have a machine that is capablie of doing up to 3/8" compared to the 3/32"-1/8" max thats the practical limit at best of most 140 amp 110v machines.Get the most power you can afford and then some. You can always turn down a bigger machine to do thinner material. You can't turn up a smaller machine if you later want to work on thicker metals.
Reply:I use a Hobart Handler 140.  It's rated for 1/4" (you set the welder for the thinner of the two thicknesses of metal you're welding together), and you can do thicker stuff with multiple passes.  You can also go a little thicker with flux core wire (as opposed to solid wire with shielding gas).  Flux core is a little dirtier, but that might not be an issue with exhaust welds.  I paid $320 for the welder -- but keep in mind that you'll also need a tank of C25 (if you want to weld with gas), as well as safety gear and clamps.You can also get an extension cord for your 220V outlet, which isn't cheap but is in the $100-200 range.  You could also get an electrician to wire a 220V outlet in your garage or shop -- there are guys on this board who could walk you through doing that yourself, too.The Millermatic 211 is a really flexible machine, in that you'll always be able to work where there's a regular outlet.  If you buy a 220V-only machine, you'll need to bring the work to your shop.
Reply:Thanks for all the great info guys.... I was looking at something like this. Let me know what you think.http://www.asedeals.com/lincoln_mig_welders.html^ Here I was looking at the K2697-1 EASY-MIG 140 - Its the forth one down on that page.Looks like it comes with everything I will need to start except for the gas, but im going to practice with the flux core wire first and maybe try that.Thanks!