What welder should I get?

[retsoced]

I'm looking at getting a welder. I've done a very minimal amount of welding with a MIG that I rented to do floor boards on a 65 Cuda (ever heard of splatter welding? I think it's a new style...), and it seemed easy to use. But I need to do some fairly precise cutting and welding on my 67, to eliminate some rust and replace things like the battery tray, etc....

That being said, I am looking for advice. I watch PowerBlock TV on Spike almost every Sunday, and the guys (and gal) use both TIG and MIG. I know not what to do.

Any opinions would be helpful.

 

[walkercreekbronco]

With practice you can make some really nice welds with a MIG welder. Just make sure you get the gas setup and don't use flux core wire.

 

[BLADE262US]

Cant really go wrong with miller equipment /emoticons/[email protected] 2x" width="20" height="20" />

 

[Yardape]

Miller is really good. I have a Lincoln Nascar Edition and I love it. I asked for the biggest welder I can run from home but not get crazy with an industrial welder. They suggested a 130 amp. I spotted a 170amp that runs on 220. I had to have it, he said it was way to heavy for what I want. I said then its perfect. I love I love it, I find shit to weld that doesnt even need to be, just because I can. My I was welding some square tubing the wall thickness is huge, has to be at least 1/4inch, I used it for the tongue on my truck box trailer, My know it all landlord showed up and hes supposed to be a welder/handyman. He said that welder is not hot enough for that thick of steel. I picked up the scrap and cut a hole in it with my welder, well more like melted a hole, he couldn't believe it, I like having more than what I need, that way I am not left wanting...

 

[pinson27]

I'm looking at getting a welder. I've done a very minimal amount of welding with a MIG that I rented to do floor boards on a 65 Cuda (ever heard of splatter welding? I think it's a new style...), and it seemed easy to use. But I need to do some fairly precise cutting and welding on my 67, to eliminate some rust and replace things like the battery tray, etc....
That being said, I am looking for advice. I watch PowerBlock TV on Spike almost every Sunday, and the guys (and gal) use both TIG and MIG. I know not what to do.

Any opinions would be helpful.

Splatter welding is a MIGs way of "super penetration" and if not carefull can cause some serious burns to yourself,which I found out the hard way when first getting started.It accually creates a heat so hot that the wire "splatters" and melts before it even hits what your welding and penetrates thick steel...BE VERY CAREFULL!I currently own a Hobart Handler 125 and love it.Anything from sheetmetal to 1/4" steel is great and can weld up to 3/8" on a double pass.I was and am impressed for $450.00,and it came with everything to me started minus gas and a helmet.I reccomend an autodarkening helmet.

 

[Yardape]

I find when mine is set proper I dont get any splatter. I welded my bumper brackets, and I had zero splatter. The welds are so pretty I wanted to take pictures and send them to everyone with my family pictures.

 

[pinson27]

I find when mine is set proper I dont get any splatter. I welded my bumper brackets, and I had zero splatter. The welds are so pretty I wanted to take pictures and send them to everyone with my family pictures.

On some of the bigger welders theres an accual splatter or spatter setting.Its really only for welding thicker steel that typically a stick welder is used for.I dont mean to sound like a smart a**,I just thought it was pretty cool when I saw it demonstrated at my previous employer.

 

[Yardape]

I worked at a welding shop in Edmonton Alberta. Thats where I learnt how to weld, Believe me I know splatter, I went through so many cans of anti-splatter spray that my boss acually pulled me aside and told me enoughs enough, was so funny to me. He taught me how to weld properly with as little splatter as possible. We built huge heavy equipment trailers. Do you ever see any trailers hauling heavy equipment that say Aspen Trailers on it? Watch for them, thats what we built and that was the company. We sold them all over Canada and the US. Every weld on those damn things are done by hand. Loads of fun. But mine seriously doesnt splatter much at all.

 

[Mike @ Tracy]

I would suggest Miller for mig and tig, For stick I prefer Lincoln. As far as lids I use an Arc One auto dark But also like the NexGen's just keep in mind that different types of welding require different minimum shades to provide the right protection. You can visit Miller or Lincoln's .com for more info you can also check out Norco welding supplies online. Happy fabricating.

 

[S_bolt19]

If you get a little MIG, then I would also make sure that you can run both gas & flux line with it. I did some body work this past summer and hooked up the gas to mine, much finer bead and it is easier to work with. Just a little more costly than something with flux wire. I only use the gas when I am doing fine work (i.e. body panels, floors, that kind) and use the flux when I am doing frame or bumper work.

 

[walkercreekbronco]

To me there's not much difference between flux core wire and using a stick welder.

My Miller wire welder is great, but we have three Lincoln stick welders (one from WWII) that all work great.

 

[retsoced]

Thanks for all the good info, it's gonna be a while before I can nut-up and lay down the cash - I need to get my Bronco back on the street first, so I can get to work to earn the cash to get the toys....

 

[rodsteal]

It totally depends on what your going to weld and how thick the material is. If you are going to only do body work and not weld anything thicker than

 

[Yardape]

When I bought mine I thought I could just plug into the dryer, they are different. I bought a chunk of wire thats like 100 feet or so, it was about 200.00 I cant remember what its called right now, I also bought a 220 breaker, when I use the welder I pluger the breaker into the fuse box, I keep It wired all the time.

 

[stepchild]

Some times it's nice to be an electrician!

 

[frdbronco73]

I bought a 135 lincoln 120v and i love it. I have 220 in my garage because i have a stick welder and i went with the 120 because now i can use it anywhere and i can take it with me. i already had an old argon tank and ive used flux core and i personally think gas is the way to go.