Best Buget Welder To Buy? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

culp7 · 10-21-2009, 05:41 PM

Finally getting to replacing rockers, and such on my 68 C20, and need to buy a welder.

What kinda welder do ya'll think would be great for general body work and such... i'm on a budget and can't spend much, Brand and info on the welder would be very helpful..

Tx Firefighter · 10-21-2009, 06:38 PM

Right now Tractor Supply has the Hobart Handler 140 on sale. It's a good welder capable of doing 1/4 thickness. You can grow into that and get by for a long time.

I used a Little Lincoln 100 amp machine for 15 years. It's a good machine, but limited on thicker material. Now, I have a 250 amp Miller too. It's great for up to 1/2 inch thick steel, but I still keep my little Lincoln around with .023 wire for welding thin stuff like patch panels.

mclairmo · 10-21-2009, 06:59 PM

I have a little 110 Cebora mig that uses Argon, works fine for sheetmetal.

Sinister · 10-21-2009, 07:03 PM

I have a 110 volt Lincoln Weldpak 3200 HD, great for bodywork.

myoldchevytruck · 10-22-2009, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinister

I have a 110 volt Lincoln Weldpak 3200 HD, great for bodywork.

I have this one also, great little welder!

0331grunt · 10-22-2009, 10:39 AM

I've got a Lincoln WeldPak 100 (or something like that) and it works great. I was curious if you HAVE to run gas when doing patch work? I don't have regulator set up and just do flux. It's all I've done (self taught) and my practice patches seem to be good. Just curious.

Sinister · 10-22-2009, 10:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0331grunt

I've got a Lincoln WeldPak 100 (or something like that) and it works great. I was curious if you HAVE to run gas when doing patch work? I don't have regulator set up and just do flux. It's all I've done (self taught) and my practice patches seem to be good. Just curious.

Fluxcore will leave slag/residue which can come back to haunt you when you go to paint.

mclairmo · 10-22-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinister

Fluxcore will leave slag/residue which can come back to haunt you when you go to paint.

I would avoid fluxcore. I used Argon to weld patch panels on my 67 Camaro and my 71 Mustang and no rust, no bubbles under the paint or any other problems for over 15 years.

Tx Firefighter · 10-22-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 0331grunt

I've got a Lincoln WeldPak 100 (or something like that) and it works great. I was curious if you HAVE to run gas when doing patch work? I don't have regulator set up and just do flux. It's all I've done (self taught) and my practice patches seem to be good. Just curious.

That's the same machine I have. It's an old one, bought in the early 90s. Trust me on this, buy a bottle and conversion kit. You will come back here and thank me. If you're good with flux core, you will weld like Jessie James with MIG conversion. It's night and day. With the gas, you can run the little .023 wire which is perfect for sheetmetal.

0331grunt · 10-22-2009, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sinister

Fluxcore will leave slag/residue which can come back to haunt you when you go to paint.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

That's the same machine I have. It's an old one, bought in the early 90s. Trust me on this, buy a bottle and conversion kit. You will come back here and thank me. If you're good with flux core, you will weld like Jessie James with MIG conversion. It's night and day. With the gas, you can run the little .023 wire which is perfect for sheetmetal.

Thanks guys. I was afraid of that

but its another reason to buy more stuff!!

nicolas72gmc · 10-22-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

That's the same machine I have. It's an old one, bought in the early 90s. Trust me on this, buy a bottle and conversion kit. You will come back here and thank me. If you're good with flux core, you will weld like Jessie James with MIG conversion. It's night and day. With the gas, you can run the little .023 wire which is perfect for sheetmetal.

^^^^ yeah what Kevin Said!!!!

nickp51chevy · 10-21-2009, 07:49 PM

This is what I got and I love it. Body work and frame work. Mig or flux core. I think it's a good all around welder.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...0-1&lpage=none

BB70c10 · 10-21-2009, 08:16 PM

I bought the hobart handler 140 from northern tools and equipment for $470.00 w/ regulator.You can weld with it as is with flux core wire.The only extra cost is the bottle and gas but not required..Everyone thats used my welder loves it.

Here's a link with more info.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285977

culp7 · 10-21-2009, 09:05 PM

what do you all think about stick welder types?

Sinister · 10-21-2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culp7

what do you all think about stick welder types?

Insanely difficult/impossible to do bodywork with a stick welder. Get a MIG.

mclairmo · 10-21-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culp7

what do you all think about stick welder types?

I've seen it tried and it warps the crap out of sheetmetal. Like trying to hammer a finishing nail into your nice kitchen cabinets with a 50 pound sledgehammer.

Tx Firefighter · 10-21-2009, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culp7

what do you all think about stick welder types?

I can do it on my best day but it's the worst choice if all welding types for this job.

*highperf4x4* · 10-21-2009, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tx Firefighter

I can do it on my best day but it's the worst choice if all welding types for this job.

x2

Good for frame work though.

70duramax · 10-21-2009, 11:38 PM

have a hobart 125 handler used it 3 to 4 times in one year and it burned up the control board! not happy. saposeably lincoln makes it just with cheaper componets. Save some headaches and get a lincoln or miller and be done with it. got several of both at work and dont have any problems em. just my 2 cents

bigguy69 · 10-21-2009, 09:09 PM

hobart handler here to 140. bought used for 200 dollars. ive tried using a stick welder one time didnt work to good. i like the wire better.

*72lb4x4* · 10-21-2009, 09:20 PM

Try trolling the local craigslist.org for a decent used MIG setup, and/or a gas bottle. Do some research first. The gas bottles have dates stamped in the top flange and you can't easily exchange them if they're out of date.

As far as exchanging goes, it may vary by the gas company. I bought 3 off the internet and exchanged them w/o a problem, but years ago had trouble exchanging tanks I bought at an auction.

culp7 · 10-21-2009, 09:24 PM

so what guage is most of the 67-72 trucks sheetmetal?

Sinister · 10-21-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by culp7

so what guage is most of the 67-72 trucks sheetmetal?

18 and 20 gauge. IIRC

Husker · 10-21-2009, 11:35 PM

Hobart Handeler 175 and It works Great.
Ron

QKENUF4U · 10-21-2009, 11:41 PM

love my lincoln mig/wire...... doesnt have the gas setup on it but i wish it did. found the gas setup for 140$ in phoenix but never bought it... my welder has payed for itself 100x over......

10-21-2009, 05:41 PM	#1
culp7 HickTown Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ANDOVER, Kansas Posts: 355	Best Buget Welder To Buy? Finally getting to replacing rockers, and such on my 68 C20, and need to buy a welder. What kinda welder do ya'll think would be great for general body work and such... i'm on a budget and can't spend much, Brand and info on the welder would be very helpful.. __________________ 1993 Ford Mustang Vert w/ 2.3 1969 Chevy C/10 w/350 1968 Chevy C-20 w/250 1976 Dodge Aspen W/ 225 2000 Toyota Tundra w/4.7 1987 Dodge Ram D-100 w/360 255/70-15 ___________ (oo)══╬══(oo) ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

10-21-2009, 06:38 PM	#2
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? Right now Tractor Supply has the Hobart Handler 140 on sale. It's a good welder capable of doing 1/4 thickness. You can grow into that and get by for a long time. I used a Little Lincoln 100 amp machine for 15 years. It's a good machine, but limited on thicker material. Now, I have a 250 amp Miller too. It's great for up to 1/2 inch thick steel, but I still keep my little Lincoln around with .023 wire for welding thin stuff like patch panels. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-21-2009, 06:59 PM	#3
mclairmo Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Take Off Posts: 1,908	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? I have a little 110 Cebora mig that uses Argon, works fine for sheetmetal.

10-21-2009, 07:03 PM	#4
Sinister Between Trucks... Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA. Posts: 3,830	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? I have a 110 volt Lincoln Weldpak 3200 HD, great for bodywork. __________________ Beat it to fit, Paint it to match...

10-22-2009, 10:39 AM	#6
0331grunt Now what?? Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Webbers Falls, OK Posts: 579	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? I've got a Lincoln WeldPak 100 (or something like that) and it works great. I was curious if you HAVE to run gas when doing patch work? I don't have regulator set up and just do flux. It's all I've done (self taught) and my practice patches seem to be good. Just curious. __________________ 69 Long Fleet - Project 06 Ram 1ton Cummins 4x4-DD 01 Tahoe- wifes "The quality of a persons life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor." ~ Vince Lombardi "A dream doesn't become reality through magic, it takes sweat, determination and hard work." ~ Colin Powell my, um, build USMC OIF Veteran SEMPER FI!

10-21-2009, 07:49 PM	#12
nickp51chevy Registered Chevy Owner Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Snohomish, wa Posts: 1,557	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? This is what I got and I love it. Body work and frame work. Mig or flux core. I think it's a good all around welder. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...0-1&lpage=none __________________ Love is fleeting, but Chevy trucks are forever!!!! 1970 Chevy CST C10 long box 350/400 2008 Chevy Silverado short box 4x4 Had; 1951 Chevy short box 307/T5 1988 Chevy shot box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 4x4 350/350 1971 Chevy C20 long box 350/350 1971 Chevy C10 long box 350/350

10-21-2009, 08:16 PM	#13
BB70c10 BB70c10 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: wilsons mill,NC Posts: 140	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? I bought the hobart handler 140 from northern tools and equipment for $470.00 w/ regulator.You can weld with it as is with flux core wire.The only extra cost is the bottle and gas but not required..Everyone thats used my welder loves it. Here's a link with more info. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=285977 __________________ my build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=268981 Last edited by BB70c10; 10-21-2009 at 08:21 PM.

10-21-2009, 09:05 PM	#14
culp7 HickTown Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ANDOVER, Kansas Posts: 355	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? what do you all think about stick welder types? __________________ 1993 Ford Mustang Vert w/ 2.3 1969 Chevy C/10 w/350 1968 Chevy C-20 w/250 1976 Dodge Aspen W/ 225 2000 Toyota Tundra w/4.7 1987 Dodge Ram D-100 w/360 255/70-15 ___________ (oo)══╬══(oo) ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

10-21-2009, 11:38 PM	#19
70duramax Registered User Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: morrisdale pa Posts: 46	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? have a hobart 125 handler used it 3 to 4 times in one year and it burned up the control board! not happy. saposeably lincoln makes it just with cheaper componets. Save some headaches and get a lincoln or miller and be done with it. got several of both at work and dont have any problems em. just my 2 cents

10-21-2009, 09:09 PM	#20
bigguy69 dazed and confused Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: marion nc Posts: 1,649	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? hobart handler here to 140. bought used for 200 dollars. ive tried using a stick welder one time didnt work to good. i like the wire better. __________________ members met: redbaron69, billsbowtie,nc67

10-21-2009, 09:20 PM	#21
72lb4x4 Account Suspended Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: DFW Posts: 1,427	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? Try trolling the local craigslist.org for a decent used MIG setup, and/or a gas bottle. Do some research first. The gas bottles have dates stamped in the top flange and you can't easily exchange them if they're out of date. As far as exchanging goes, it may vary by the gas company. I bought 3 off the internet and exchanged them w/o a problem, but years ago had trouble exchanging tanks I bought at an auction.

10-21-2009, 09:24 PM	#22
culp7 HickTown Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: ANDOVER, Kansas Posts: 355	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? so what guage is most of the 67-72 trucks sheetmetal? __________________ 1993 Ford Mustang Vert w/ 2.3 1969 Chevy C/10 w/350 1968 Chevy C-20 w/250 1976 Dodge Aspen W/ 225 2000 Toyota Tundra w/4.7 1987 Dodge Ram D-100 w/360 255/70-15 ___________ (oo)══╬══(oo) ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾

10-21-2009, 11:35 PM	#24
Husker Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Mid NE USA Posts: 2,212	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? Hobart Handeler 175 and It works Great. Ron __________________ Member #111 68 C-10 Daily Driver 70 4x4 Project 76 Jeep CJ-5 Help Support the Board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/payments.php He who knows nothing is closer to the truth than he whose mind is filled with falsehoods and errors. Thomas Jefferson

10-21-2009, 11:41 PM	#25
QKENUF4U Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: SUNNY WARM BIKE RIDING COTTONWOOD ARIZONA Posts: 2,097	Re: Best Buget Welder To Buy? love my lincoln mig/wire...... doesnt have the gas setup on it but i wish it did. found the gas setup for 140$ in phoenix but never bought it... my welder has payed for itself 100x over......

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