Suggest a welding setup

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I am new to the forum and wanted some suggestions and feedback on the best welding setup for my needs.I will be using the welder strictly for automotive applications including exhaust systems, intake piping, manifolds, body work, etc..After researching a lot I am stuck between a MIG and TIG. I have never welded before, but am pretty confident I can do it with practice.  It seems MIG would be easiest to learn and most flexible, but TIG might produce better results? Am I correct in this line of thinking? On the other hand I could get a MIG and learn with it and later down the road invest in a high end TIG. I would like to get the best bang for the buck and don't want to spend too much.
Reply:Mig is the way to go.  It would take forever to tig exhaust.  Too much heat input for the tig on sheet anyhow.DavidReal world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:toykilla:  Welcome to the forum !  First off, you didn't state what materials you'll be generally be working with.  Although you did state what objects you work with...so I'll guess.  When you mean intake pipe and manifolds are you talking about Al. material ? And what type of exhaust systems will you work with, just mild steel exhaust pipe or do you have hopes of fabbing SS headers ?   I myself am involved with cars as well.  I got away with working with just a Mig for several years.  I have repaired plenty of body panels, made floors for a few vehicles, repaired exhausts, and made suspension components....blah blah blah. My Mig machine is good for 175 amps, as I generally don't work with material over a 1/4".  It is perfect for all around mild steel type work. However,  I finally was able to acquire a Tig unit which will definitely open the range of welding capabilities for me.-Graham-Mechanical EngineerAutosport Mechanic/Fabricator
Reply:Thanks for the comments. Seems like this is a great place to learn. I do want to work with stainless, mild steel, and aluminum. This will be a weekend hobby of mine along with painting, fiberglassing, etc... I just love getting creative in the garage How would a 120v machine fair for this type of work? Also, can stainless be done with flux core wire rather than gas? I see various opinions going around.
Reply:I'd suggest a HH187 or equivalent MIG for covering all your bases.  Later, look at a TIG for some of the fancy stuff later.  But the MIG is best for most autobody, and certainly adequate for everything else you mentioned.A 120V MIG will do most of what you ask, if you are truly limited to 120V power.  The 240V MIGs are WAY WORTH the extra cost.I've heard there is an ESAB self-shielding SS wire, but I've never seen it, and it's probably very specialized and expensive.  Everyone I know does it with solid SS wire and gas.Especially for any anticipated aluminum work, you'll pretty much need a 240V MIG.  It sucks power.  And if you REALLY want to do it right, you'll want a spoolgun and a 210A+ MIG.  The Millermatic 210 is a favorite.
Reply:For MIG I use a dual shield for stainless... as well as solid. I've never tried any type of a self shielded wire._________________Chris
Reply:A small mig will get you started, and wil be all you ever need for body work, exhaust, making brackets ect. Then later down the road I would take a tig class to learn the basics and get something like the Miller Econotig, or a similar AC/DC unit wich will work for everything else.
Reply:if aluminum is in the work load thought process i would say defenetly look at getting a MM210 and spool gun. maybe get the MM210 first and add the spool gun later if $$ is a problem. it will cover just about any thing you can think of for a auto.later on if still interested in TIG, a corse or some one that can TIG to teach you would be best. lerning it on your own can be done but it will take soooo much longer to get it right without proper instructions and seeing it done right.i would say find a way to get 220V in the shop even if you have to share with the dryer and get a MM210 to start off with you will never outgrow it and adding a TIG unit to it later on will have you verry well coverd for any thing you could need. i would skip the econ-TIG and step up to the syncrowave 200. they need about the same power to operate and you will get sooo much more TIG from the syncro 200.if you have limited power available to you like i do. look into an inverter like the dyn200, TA-185, and several others make them. they will alow you 180-200 amps of TIG output on a small 30 amp circuit. the same one you use for the MM210. i was limited to the inverters by power available and wile i wanted the DYN200 $$ made me go with the TA-185. an excelent TIG unit with a great reputation.my choice would be to start with a MM210add a spool gunadd a TIG unit.i have a MM135 and its a great lil 110V MIG. i have had it for over 6 years and its still running like new. it would do a great deal of stuff on a car or truck rebuild but will fall short in the amps department for some stuff and aluminum is realy not an option with it. even though i have TIG available to me i just finished doing my trucks exhost with my MM135 (did a great job) and then did a frends floor panels inverted under the car, again did a great job. he was working on it at the same time with his MM210 so i got a chance to play with it also. wile the MM135 did a great job on both, i realy wish i had the MM210 he has. it also worked great on the thin 20gage floor pans no problem with .030 wire and C-25 gas. i realy dont see any thing on the car he could not do with the MM210, i was realy impressed with its low-end abilitys. and knowing it can be turned up for the thick stuff just makes it the perfect choice. some day i'll get me one.ok i think thats enough babbling.if $$ permits it start with a MM210 you will never regret it.here is the 210 and 135 in action under the race car, kinda looks like a miller add for BWE's LOL Attached ImagesLast edited by fun4now.; 04-05-2007 at 07:00 PM. summer is here, plant a tree for mother earth. if you dont have time or space, sponcer some one else to plant one for you.feel free to shoot me a PM or e-mail me at [email][email protected] i got lots of time.
Reply:hi out there , i am curious and hoping someone out there would give me onfo on what to set the wire feeder at? and the amperage at? and the gas gauge? for welding 1/4 inch mild steel.
Reply:hi out there , i am curious and hoping someone out there would give me info on what to set the wire feeder at? and the amperage at? and the gas gauge? for welding 1/4 inch mild steel.
Reply:1. Start a new thread.2. Tell us what machine it is, what wire it is..., etc.