welding 1 1/2 square tubing

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I am building a swamp hunting buggy using 1 1/2" x 1/8" thick square tubing. I will be welding 3 foot pieces of the tubing onto the frame of a f150 4 x 4 and then welding a platform on top of the uprights. I am trying to figure out what the best welding machine to use for the strongest weld possible. I have a stick welder and also a mig welder. Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Reply:Either machine will do agood job. If the frame has rust on it, you will have more cleaning to do for stick than mig. They are both fast process, so speed advantage is nil. If you want prettier welds, I think you can get a slightly better apperance with a mig machine. Both make solid welds, especially on 1/8" thick material.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:Thanks for the info. I removed all the rust from the frame. If I stick weld what rod would you suggest and amp setting? Also if I did use Mig what size wire would I use? Thanks for your help and time!
Reply:Originally Posted by bigtThanks for the info. I removed all the rust from the frame. If I stick weld what rod would you suggest and amp setting? Also if I did use Mig what size wire would I use? Thanks for your help and time!
Reply:You can't go wrong with 7018 on a frame. 3/32" dia. for the thin frame of a 1/2 ton pickup. In my book Lincoln Excalibur is the best 7018 made. Since all machines are a little different and the length of your leads make a difference I would start with 75 amps on a DC machine and adjust from there. If your stick welder is AC only Lincoln makes an Excalibur AC rod.I'm not one of the guys mentioned but I've burned a couple of 7018 rods in my day.
Reply:I'll give 3/32" 7018 a nod also. AS for the MIG welder I'd have the know  what size of Mig welder you would be using before I would reccommend it. About 90-95 percent of the time if it's steel you can weld it with 7018. Of course if it's something exotic or heat treated check with the manufacture.
Reply:I always thought you had to have a "cleaner rust etc; free" metal for mig than stick???John
Reply:3/32 7018 @ 85 amps for me, OR Mig as hot as you can run it and keep control.Clean the rust off no matter what you use.What you are most comfortable with is the best thing to use.Pictures, we want pictures.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Originally Posted by OldtimerI'm not one of the guys mentioned but I've burned a couple of 7018 rods in my day.
Reply:Not alot I can add. I agree a 3/32" 7018 would be a good choice.  However as David, mentioned the best thing to use is whatever process you are the most comfortable with.  Good luck, and we look forward to some pics.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:i was thinking some 3/32 6011 ac start at 75 amps and see how it went//6011  would penetrate a little better , no? , than 7018? and still plenty strong for stated purpose..not to hyjack but would like to hear  whats wrong with 6011 ..
Reply:Well there is nothing wrong with a 6011 exactly, but considering he is welding to an auto frame I would prefer a low hydrogen process as a lot of frames are not mild steel.  If we knew that it was mild steel then most any rod would work but since we don't know a 7018 would be a better choice in my opinion.I'm a Lover, Fighter, Wild horse Rider, and a pretty good welding man......
Reply:7018 has a little more "flex" than 6011.  7018 is sort of the standard for frame type work.  I agree with Hammack and Oldtimer.David Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Car and truck frames are not mild steel, they have more carbon in the steel. Got a steel chart somewhere that shows what steel is used but I don't remember where it is. 6011 is a good rod for some applications but not for frames. 7018, besides being higher strength, is much more ductile. It also has the ability to weld low alloy steels which 6011 does not. Had a welder that spent most of his time extending and shorting truck frames to tell me when welding frames, "No MIG, ever". I didn't question him about it but always wondered what led him to that conclusion. I've streched and extended several trucks and a couple of pickup frames and always used 7018. I never had a MIG available when doing one so it wasn't an option but I see no reason why it wouldn't be good as long as the welder is a compent MIG welder.Last edited by Oldtimer; 08-19-2008 at 10:21 AM.
Reply:many thanks for the responses