Welding.

[Mikec10]

So lets say that i wanted to teach myself how to weld and what not, now i know there are two different types or whatever tig and mig. What kind of welder should i buy if i want to be welding things like exhaust, patch in body panels.. floor pans. Stuff like that.

[cableguy0]

You definately want a mig welder. Get one that uses gas instead of flux cored wire. Gas welding is much cleaner and leaves a better result especially on body panels.

[C-10 simplex]

Well, to confuse the issue further (sorry) maybe you should learn stick first?

i'm not sure if learning mig first is nessesarily the best way? This isn't like cooking (well actually it is in certain ways)----i mean it's different from cooking in that safety is at stake. Burnt meat loaf isn't going to cause the truck to fall apart on the highway.

[cableguy0]

How is stick welding going to help with mig welding? Nothing he wants to weld is a suitable place to use a stick welder. Stick welders should be reserved for heavy steel plate.

[C-10 simplex]

Originally Posted by cableguy0

How is stick welding going to help with mig welding? Nothing he wants to weld is a suitable place to use a stick welder. Stick welders should be reserved for heavy steel plate.

Yes mig is better(much better) for sheet metal, exhaust etc. i'm just saying if you're an absolute beginner i'm thinking it would be better to learn stick first then go to mig? Not that learning mig the first time you weld anything is an absolute guarantee of disaster.

Stick helps you learn control, puddle control/size/speed, proper penetration/heat/amperage levels etc.


Sorry i confused the issue, but i had to say it.

PS--- i just re-read the original post and there are actually 3 types (maybe more actually), but 3 main types of welding---stick which is actually properly called SMAW--shielded metal arc welding, and mig and tig.

So smaw, mig and tig.

[ryans69chevy]

I don't wanna steal the thread, but since the PO is looking at a starter welder I figure this would give him some options... AND ME!...

What's the best size of welder to get if someone was to just use it to weld a maximum thickness of one our pickup frames? I'm seriously looking at welders I was considering the new miller 211, but I've heard that's a little too big for back yard auto work. My neighbor has a lincoln 140 and says that's all the welder you need. Anyone have a take on this? Maybe a lincoln or miller 180?

I went to a two different hot spots that sell welders and got a quote on the miller 211. After everything I'd have to buy with it i.e. gas, tank, cart, wire, helmet it's just a little too much that I'd wanna spend on a welder. Not that I don't wanna go cheap on a welder, but it's just because I've heard a smaller one would be adaquate for a back yard welder.

I know the lincolns and millers have some deals going on right now on their welders so I wanna jump on one if I can.

[mongoose]

the mig is easiest to use... just get one of those.. and will work the best for what you want.


c10, I'm assuming you're saying that cuz that's what you learn in school first... the main reason it's learnt first in school as most welding jobs use stick welding, well the jobs that are easy to get in to.. Ie construction.. but outside of that field it's not used very often..

[Gobbles]

Go for the mig! I got a Miller 211 and never looked back, its a tank!

[karlbenz]

thicker wire is not gonna get you penetration on thicker steel though. I have a millermatic 210, wish I had a 251 though

[PanelDeland]

The Miller 211 is a good unit for a beginner.It's auto set so you dial thickness of metal and it basically sets itself.Get an auto Darkening hood.It will help you get better starts.Stick or MIG the weldor is what makes the weld,the welder is just a machine.You will have to practice to get proficient at welding.

[Dunenutt]

Which ever one you decide on, make sure it has dials on it. The welders that have 5 position knobs will drive you crazy. It seems that you always want to weld somewhere in between the clicks.

You will NOT be sorry if you buy a miller welder. Buy the biggest one you can afford. Anything over 180 A is probably going to be 230v though. The small inverter millers are sweet!

[ryans69chevy]

I'm going to get a price quote on the miller 180 next week and hope that's more in my price range. Can't wait to get a welder!!

Auto darkening helmet is a sure thing in my book!