extreme newb!!

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Hello! My name is Zack, and I need some help. I have never welded anything before in my life. I would like to learn, but dont know what type of equipment to buy. Im a new automotive hobbyist, currently restoring a '79 firebird, and own a sportbike. I would like to weld pieces and parts for either of these toys. Initially they will be non-load bearing parts (nothing structual). Mostly exhaust systems, interior trimings, and other comsmetic parts. Not planning on winning any awards, so welds dont have to be pretty just solid. All work will be done in my garage meaning 110v only. Which type of welder should I look at? Which company is best? What specs are important to me? any info is appreciated!ThanksZack
Reply:Zack,IMHO, if most of what you're going to be doing is automotive based, and non-structural, for a first-time welder, go take a look at one of the 110 volt MIG machines.  I know there's going to be a lot of back and forth on whether blue or red is the right one to go with, having both, I won't try to sell you on one or the other.  Look at what gives you the best bang for the buck.  Consider infinitely variable vs. tapped settings, gives you most flexibility.  (Costs more)  Look for a machine that allows gas shielding as well as flux cored.  Gives you more options (Again, more expensive).  Most of these machines come with the voltage and wire speed settings suggested for the size wire that you're going to use right inside the wirefeed cabinet.  Start with your LWD, plenty of experience available to help out a first timer there, but, since you're a garage welder, take a look at some of the big box stores like Home Depot or Lowe's and see what they have available also.  Lots of great welders on this forum to help you out as you get started.Becoming a welder then is much like getting to Broadway.  Practice, practice, practice.I r 2 a perfessional
Reply:Welcome Zack, kbnit is giving you some good advise.If you don't want to stand behind our Troops, feel free to stand in front of them.
Reply:Hi Zack, welcome to the forum.Read the threads that are linled in the sticky on 110v migs.http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=20883I know you are interested in a 110v due to the power in the garage, and posibly price. Just understand that you will be very limited in what you can do with a 110v mig. I won't go into all the reasons, I'll let you read the threads. I think if you can swing it you will be much happier in the long run with a 220v mig. I started out with a 110v mig and wished I had spent the money up front for the 220v one. Would have been cheaper in the long run. You won't out grow a 220v as fast and it will be useful for things other than non structural mods. There are ways around the power issues if you work a bit at it. We'll be glad to help and make suggestions.That said if you have no other choice a 110v mig is better than nothing. But I dont think its better by much.
Reply:A Lincoln or Miller 140amp mig machine is about as high powered a machine as you will readily find, given the 120VAC power supply limit. Lincoln 140 <---LinkMiller 140 <---Link(Miller's Passport is slightly higher powered for over twice the price!)Any less of a machine will probably leave you yearning for more heat. Another approach is to get an acetylene torch and learn to use that, no electricity required! Once I got an idea of how to use one, I couldn't get enough of it!!  I mainly use it for cutting and heating, but it will weld for you, if you practice. Of course their are others, the Hobart machines are a good bet, again in the 140 amp class.Hobart 140 <---LinkDon't get burned now! 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 fellas!! All this info is a huge help!! Im going to start looking at all my options. definitely going to read that sticky on 110v. Keep it coming!!Thanks again!!
Reply:Hi Zack,I found myself in the same situation as you a few years ago. I had 110v in a garage and every intention of buying a 110v mig welder for light auto fab and hobby welding. After literally months of research I decided to go with a 220v unit. I bought a 10 gauge extension cord thats about 100 feet long ($100) and just plugged it in behind my dryer. Now its a few years later and many things have changed. I have basically a small fab shop now, welding for myself is my part time job and I'm growing. I've lived in a few houses since the one with a garage. Something to consider, 220v travels much much better than 110v. In my current situation my 220v plug is about 70 feet from my outdoor shop. Other times I've had 220v in my shop but often enough need to bring my welder out into the driveway for big projects. In many of these situations I wouldn't have felt nearly as good running a 110v unit. Bottom line, if you are even considering between 110 and 220 go with the 220. There are many advantages and you won't be let down. I still have my original (miller 175) and its never let me down. You might not think you need it, but even in auto work you come across thicker stuff often enough to warrant the extra power.As for advice for a beginner, if you have a local community college close by check to see if they have a welding program. The shop time, and exposure to equipment and tools is worth the entry fee alone.Last edited by slagmatic; 05-28-2008 at 02:35 PM.
Reply:all that has been said is true- except i would add i started with a 110 mig, and now that i have a 220v stick/tig machine, i hardly think about my mig. But when it was all i had i used it, i learned on it, and even learned to think in terms of how to overcome its limits.not a bad experience, life is long and theres no rush.
Reply:Welcome to the welding web forum! Glad to have ya!Have a Jeep Cherokee?  Click Here!