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Hey there. As the title states, I am completely new at anything to do with welding. The extent of my welding goes as far as welding a couple lines on a plate of steel with an arc welder at my tech high school 4 years ago and reading about mig welders on the net over the past couple weeks.My Jeep needs some body work before the winter and I can't really afford to have it all done professionally. While the body work itself is probably going to be upwards of $1000 and at least 2-3 weeks at the shop (I commute to college) I simply cannot afford that, and from what I have read on the internet I can get a solid welder for $400 or so.So my first question is; are my expectations realistic? I haven't bought a welder yet because I wanted to learn about what I am getting myself into before I'm out $500 with a welder not for what I'm looking to use it for.From what I have read, a 110v wire feed mig welder (normal wall plug), gassless with multiple amp settings (output) would be alright. I am going to be weling outside in my driveway so I would want a gassless welding system. The body work is (what I assume) is mostly 18GA sheet steel. I need to replace the rockers, floors, and some small patches along the way. When I'm looking for a welder, what amp setting should I be looking for? I want to do primarily the body work but I am also interested in being able to weld things like custom step rails and bumpers and stuff; would a mig welder that I would use for the body also work with thicker steel? The other steel work isn't my primary conscern so its not bid deal if a mig for the body work wont for that, too.What brands should I looks for? Or conversly what brands should I avoid? I was in Sears and there were a couple Craftsman welders, one of which looked pretty solid (multiple output settings, gas/gasless operation, 110v wall outlet plug) and was about $450.I have seen some talk about 220v welders. I don't have any outlets for that in my house but we have a great electrician and he could wire me up () redily. Would I be better in the long run getting a more powerful welder?What should I practice welding on? I have a couple 1/4" sheets of steel I salvaged from work (see: basment water dyke).What about a welding helmet? I suppose the goggles that come with the welders aren't very useful. Are the auto dimming ones worth the extra money? I would also appreciate welder reccomendations. My budget is about $500 for the welder. Once I find out exactly how much the body work will be my budget will possibly go up but stay under the price of the body work (cool smiley =))If there is anything I am overlooking please just yell at me and tell me about it.Thanks for reading, guys.
Reply:220 volt units are needed to weld steel over 1/8 to 3/16 of an inch. To do body work you really will need/want gas (CO2/argon blend). Flux core wire just is too hot to work well on 22 ga sheet steel. You should be ok with flux core on 18 gauge, but it is not nearly a neat or quick as mig with gas.Lincoln PT185 TIGLincoln 175 MIGLincoln 240 amp AC StickLind Needle Arc plasma welderPlasma cutter, soon???
Reply:Welcome,I am fairly new to welding so take my opinion for what it is worth. I am sure there will be others that disagree with my opinion but that is ok.1st off I would try to stick with one of the big 3: Miller, Lincoln, or Hobart. They will last forever, parts & consumables are readily accesable, & support is good!2nd I bought the Hobart Handler 140 w/ gas new for just slightly more than the budget you have. Since you don't need the gas bottle shouldnt be a problem with your budget & if you get a welder that has the ability to use gas you can always add it later.The 110v welder would be sufficient for both the panel work as well as the accessories you want for your jeep (unless of course you were building a roll cage in which case might want to rethink it). I do not do anything heavy duty but have no problem with 10 guage & with perfect prep don't have issues going a little heavier. If you plan on doing 1/4 on up you might want to think about a 220v, but more $$$.I have a $50 AD helmet from Harbor Freight & find it works great, just want to make sure to use it on a low enough setting ( i use mine on 9).I have no regrets with my welder purchase!My 2 cents...Sorry so long winded.Brian_______________________________1) MM 211mvp w/ spoolgun2) Lincoln A/C-2253) Radnor O/P
Reply:I think there is a Miller 220v machine still for sale on the for sale thread here - wanting $650, free shipping & throwing in a $160 helmetMight check that out. (Millermatic 180 w/ autoset)Last edited by ProficientBumbler; 09-25-2008 at 01:25 PM.Reason: added name of welderBrian_______________________________1) MM 211mvp w/ spoolgun2) Lincoln A/C-2253) Radnor O/P
Reply:Good to see another Jeeper on the board!!! I am doing the exact thing, driveway fabbing on several old jeeps I own. I started out aiming at heavier stuff than body work, Spring Over/Shackle flip, fabbing in a 4 speed in place of a automatic and all the other stuff that old Jeeps bring. Just recently I built a console type deal for the manual trans set up and it was my first actual application of thinner metal welding with my Thunderbolt AC/DC rig. I stick weld with a 220v machine and have never come close to reaching the limits of the machines capability. Mig welding is pretty fun and I am looking at adding one to my collection sooner or later, probably go 220v because I think it's better to have more than less if you need it. A 110v machine is cheap but you can hit the limit of capability soon once you start to work and dream. Jeeps are never done and they tend to multiply rather quickly. Perches on the Cherokee for the spring over, light work for the miller. The one benefit of stick welding is that intro level cost can run pretty low if you shop around. Also it is pretty much ideal for out doors work on old rusty rigs. I have done some flux core stuff and I really really didn't like it at all. I did better running Direct Current Electrode Negative with a 1/16 rod on thinner stuff than with the flux core. I have alot of body work to do on both rigs and I really want to stick weld it just to see how good of a job I can pull off. |
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发表于 2021-9-1 00:49:41