What machine you use to weld trailers?

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What welder would you use to build/rebuild trailers and why?Interested to hear what people have to say because I'm looking to buy a welder when I get out of metal fab school. Trying to get into building/rebuilding things to make extra money on side, and trailer probably will be the biggest project I will ever do.   Being in school and working part time, I don't have much money to blow.  It would suck buying and then finding out that I wish I had gotten a smaller, bigger, or different machine. I'm thinking stick or MIG, somewhere in 180-225 range, don't think I will ever end up welding anything thicker than 1/4 inch.  Stick is more portable and the startup cost is much lower...but not as clean as MIG.I know it's a question I can ask in class, I have already been asking jillion other questions.  I would really like to hear from someone who has experience with those kinda things.  Feel free to share suggestions/thoughts.Thanks
Reply:First choice:- Stick, 200 amps plus, AC/DC preferred. You WILL have to weld thicker material than 1/4". You CAN weld sheet metal with stick.Have you ever seen the remnants of a mig welded trailer which has come apart on the road?Last edited by tanglediver; 10-11-2014 at 01:06 AM.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:You will probably find you can buy a commercially built trailer used for less than you can even buy the metal and materials to build one.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:About 12 years ago I worked for a specialty trailer manufacturer (Sauber mfg.) And all of their trailers were mig welded.  I don't ever remember seeing a stick welder there.  A couple things like aluminum toolboxes iirc were tig welded.   And yes you will weld thicker than 1/4", unless you are dealing with little single axle trailers.
Reply:I'm pretty sure a harbor freight flux core machine is the best for building trailers. All jokes aside... The right mig welder in the hands of a skilled individual is fine for building and repairing trailers. A 200 amp machine would be sufficient for home use.IAMAW Local 330Airco 300 AC/DC HeliwelderAirco Dip-Pak 200 with Profax spool gunPowr-Kraft AC225Everlast PowerArc 200stBuffalo Forge No.21 drill pressSpeedglas 9100xxAirco, Oxweld, Purox, Victor torchesLincoln Ranger 8
Reply:Been at Rodgers and General Engines .045 fine wire mig L-56 at Rodgers. T-1 in flanges only grade 50 webs very common in the trailer world. Stick fine too.
Reply:What are you more confident with ??  Have you used stick and mig ? You can make some pretty welds with a mig and then throw the welded two pieces to the ground and watsh then split apart. Anything with life safety is a concern. Do a lot of practice before attempting a trailer. Make up some test coupons and see what happens. A mig gun can be tough in the hands of a beginner trying to maneuver into some tights spots and get a perfect weld. A stick rod can go almost anywhere and it allows you to bend it to fit. Practice and more practice.   Post some pics of your work and see what responses you get.
Reply:The one and only "factory built" trailer I ever bought 23 years ago was welded 68% with MIG and the other 32% with really thick paint.
Reply:Originally Posted by PipelinerThe one and only "factory built" trailer I ever bought 23 years ago was welded 68% with MIG and the other 32% with really thick paint.
Reply:Hopefully the paint was an oil based alkyd enamel, it sticks good and has some give to it and wont crack.
Reply:Originally Posted by walkerHopefully the paint was an oil based alkyd enamel, it sticks good and has some give to it and wont crack.
Reply:Millermatic 252.Perfect machine in my opinion for something like building trailers. Up to 1/2", single phase, 200 amps at  60%.I don't see any reason why you would need anything more than a machine like this one. MIG or stick, if you get the penetration, why should it matter which process? A trailer that falls apart on the road isn't because of the process, but obviously the way it was built.
Reply:110 volt mig for all the smaller stuff and a 220v powered 220-240AC and 120amp minimum DC stick for the thicker stuff.120amp DC stick on a 20% duty cycle sucks. 150 to 160 is a lot better.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:There is nothing in the world wrong with Mig welds. 3/4-inch thick V-groove, vertical up, side bend. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Anything over 1/4" thick, stick weld it.Anything under, mig.
Reply:Originally Posted by AKweldshopAnything over 1/4" thick, stick weld it.Anything under, mig.
Reply:For me the heavier the material the more likely I am to use a MIG setup with dual shield wire. I used to use a lot of big diameter stick rod but the wire is faster and the choices are better. Now my LWS doesn't stock a whole lot in stick electrode.
Reply:I doubt the op has a MM350p, if he's serious, he'll prolly get a mig from the 180-210amp range.And pickup a 140amp minimum DC stick machine...Just what I'd do if I had those machines.
Reply:Working inside, mig or stick, if your working outside stick to stick
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobThank god for the paint eh?
Reply:Originally Posted by SlobThank god for the paint eh?
Reply:I use this for trailers, low for thinner stuff and high for the thick stuff  Attachment 870161
Reply:Originally Posted by CEPThere is nothing in the world wrong with Mig welds.
Reply:Thermal Arc GMS 400,  A real no $hit machine. gxbxc
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverNothing wrong with YOUR mig welds. Nice!