What welder to weld floor and body panel.

[syncrov69]

Im' now in the family I have buy my first truck a 1971 Chevy Custom/10 Deluxe and I'm very happy and excited. But the work start next w-end. I'd like to weld some panel and I like to buy a welder for this project. What is the basic welder to do this job. I think that an stick arc welder is too heavy for the job. It is necessary to have a MIG one with gaz bottle or a flux core welder is Ok. Please help me in that.

[Palf70Step]

I have done my entire truck (and a few other things) with my little 110V Lincoln. For sheet metal, it or one like it will do the trick.

[68gmsee]

Search the paint and body forum. They have some good info in there.

Here's a thread that I read when I was checking into the same thing. I haven't bought a mig welder yet, but am getting close to taking the plunge.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=146163

[sick69]

A mig or flux core wire feed ,either one will do a great job. If you go with the fluxcore wire feed there will be alittle more clean up but still does the job.

I've shaved both doors,inner and outter rockers,cab corners, a 4"cowl hood scoop, all the trim holes have been filled all with a flux core wire feed.

The biggest trick to welding sheet metal is taking your time. I usually weld approximately 1/4" at a time and move around from one spot to another.

There are a few good threads in the paint and body section on welders and welding sheet metal.

Frank

[BCOWANWHEELS]

I,VE HAD THE BEST LUCK WITH MILLER WELDERS THEY DONT CALL EM TRUE BLUE FOR NOHTING. but they are the highest priced. also use gas rather than flux core wire. does a better job. if you can afford it get the 250 amp and 220 volt that way you can go from the thinnest to 1/2" material.
jmo
bob
bob

[BLACK AND BLUE 67-72]

Use 75/25 mix gas and they also make an .023" Easy Grind wire, perfect for body work!!

[AH619]

Buy The Best Welder You Can Afford And Use 75/25 Gas With .023 Wire

[ABN82MP]

Originally Posted by AH619

Buy The Best Welder You Can Afford And Use 75/25 Gas With .023 Wire

Best advice yet!

[syncrov69]

What is the tickness of a cab floor repair panel at LMC, Year one, classic parts, etc...? 22ga, 20ga, 18ga ???

[rodnok1]

I use a mig for floors(shielded wire) and other none external sheetmetal. They are thicker so you don't have to worry about burn through as much with .032 wire. You also can weld easier if metal not perfectly clean(can you say rust). Find 5lbs spools and save some money also.

[passthebuck]

I've replaced wayy more metal on my truck than i'd care to mention. I started using a friends 220v mig w/gas welder. It only had a 4 position switch for the current & on the lowest setting it burned through everything... Which ever you get, make sure it has a universally adjustable current! In the cab corners where it wraps around it's THIN & you'll need the very lowest current there... I bought a Lincoln 135sp (110v) & it hasnt let me down. I am able to weld the smallest stuff & it welds stuff bigger than its rated for. Gas is the only way to go too - way nicer welds... Enjoy your welder & Lincoln often has a deal where you get a free auto-darkening helmet when you buy a welder. Automatic helmets rock too. Good luck

[dfosh]

Hi, good luck on your new project. i have had a lincon stick welder foe years and it has been great for trailers ect . But a gas mig i think is best for body panals .I borrowed a frends miller 130 and it worked great . I finally bought a miller 175 it will do about anything you need chassis or sheet metal .If you havent done much welding i would get some books and read them .And then get some metal the same guage and practice before you do the panals. good luck

[ChevyDude]

I bought a Miller 180. It will do all you need with this truck building hobby!

[IvelDesigns]

what is everyone's feedback on Clarke MIG welders? i don't have a model number, but i'm looking at picking up a Clarke 110v MIG welder next weekend for $200. It has everything except the tank included.

oh, i only plan to do body work with this welder. sheetmetal is all it will see... well, maybe a go-cart frame or two too.

[corn]

Originally Posted by IvelDesigns

what is everyone's feedback on Clarke MIG welders? i don't have a model number, but i'm looking at picking up a Clarke 110v MIG welder next weekend for $200. It has everything except the tank included.

oh, i only plan to do body work with this welder. sheetmetal is all it will see... well, maybe a go-cart frame or two too.

Ive got a Clarke 130EN & it works pretty good. I converted mine from .030 flux to .023 with gas. Soooooooo much better. You can get a brand new one for $3-something cant you?...

[Ben IV]

I have used both lincon and miller, i own a miller 172 and am very happy with it. The smaller lincon machines have alot of plastic in them my miller has aluminum where the drive wheel is. If you plan on doing any heavy welding go ahead and buy a bigger machine, I cringe when i see people doing frame work with a 110v welder.

[wibilly]

one thing i never see mentioned is duty cyclewhen this subject comes up.well the smaller cheaper welders do work they have a very limited duty cycle, meaning that they will be ready for a break even before you. i also agree that if possable get a welder with infinit amprage controal rather than just 2 or 4 heat settings, you will be glad you did. as said before get the best you can afford

[syncrov69]

Now I have 3 choice and I don't know which one is better. 115v infinite or 230v tapped. Lincoln 180T (230v tapped voltage a-b-c-d-e) for 600.00$, Lincoln 140T (115v tapped voltage a-b-c-d-e) for 500.00$, Millermatic 140 (infinite voltage, autoset)for 650.00$.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by wibilly

one thing i never see mentioned is duty cyclewhen this subject comes up.well the smaller cheaper welders do work they have a very limited duty cycle, meaning that they will be ready for a break even before you. i also agree that if possable get a welder with infinit amprage controal rather than just 2 or 4 heat settings, you will be glad you did. as said before get the best you can afford

I took a couple of adult continuing education classes on welding. In the classroom we used a lot of Lincoln products. I don't know the model number but one day I was using a 220V Lincoln machine. I was welding thicker sheet metal, around 14 gauge. After about 1 inch of bead, the machine shut off. I hit the duty cycle. What wibilly is talking about is how long a machine can run at higher outputs.

I don't know what the specs are for that machine I was using that day but lets use a 50% duty cycle as a for instance. 50% duty cycle means that out of a 10 minute period, you can only use that machine for 5 minutes.

So now you paid $600 for a power source and it only has a 50% duty cycle. You're welding up that whizz-bang car hauling trailer out of super mega thick steel. You got your power source cranked up to just about its max output. You start a bead. Now every minute you weld, you have to wait a minute for the machine to cool off.

Long story short, I bought a Miller.

[passthebuck]

infinite!

[b-rad]

I have a little 110 buzz box mig does a great job if in doors use gas 25/75 is what i use if outside and wind blowing gas does no good so use flux core wire

[BurnerBrown]

I have a clarke 130 and bought a bottle. Bought it on a recomendation from a friend who built an 8 second chevelle with one. It may not be the best, but my has been great. I didn't know how to weld when i bought it, and now I can do acceptable work. Member Frizzlefry built his killer burb with a craftsman welder as seen in his build thread, but it is actually a clarke in discuise. THat speaks for itself.

[RicksTrucks]

Anyone familiar with a Lincoln/Century Wire Feed Mig Welder (220 volt) - Model #170GS

[Ackattack]

I have a miller 175. I'm currently working on shaving the drip rails with extremely thin metal in the corners, and I've welded up 2" OD 1/4" wall tubing for my jeep suspension. Never had a single problem with the welder. It's not the cheapest welder by any means, but I have no regrets about spending the extra dough.

Another vote for infintly adjustable voltage and wire speed. For thin sheet metal I don't think you'll have to worry about duty cycle, but if you ever plan on doing heavier welding it's something to keep in mind.

[72gord]

Rick, I have a Century 250..220 volt welder...have had it for 5 years, does all I want from sheet metal to heavy fabrication (built an 18 foot car trailer with it, in my avatar). I use .35 solid core wire except when doing sheet metal, then .23 any questions let me know