Welding. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mikec10 · 07-09-2011, 07:27 PM

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 · 07-09-2011, 07:43 PM

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* · 07-13-2011, 01:18 PM

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 · 07-13-2011, 08:10 PM

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* · 07-15-2011, 10:22 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-17-2011, 07:55 PM

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 · 07-13-2011, 08:34 PM

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 · 07-13-2011, 11:53 PM

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

karlbenz · 07-19-2011, 06:54 PM

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

PanelDeland · 07-22-2011, 06:25 PM

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 · 07-22-2011, 08:48 PM

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 · 07-22-2011, 09:17 PM

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!

07-09-2011, 07:27 PM	#1
Mikec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 293	Welding. 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. __________________ 1980 C10 SWB Yukon 5.3/5 speed 3.73 gears.

07-09-2011, 07:43 PM	#2
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Welding. 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. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

07-13-2011, 01:18 PM	#3
C-10 simplex Account Suspended Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: indisclosed Posts: 1,515	Re: Welding. 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.

07-13-2011, 08:10 PM	#4
cableguy0 Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Delta,Pa Posts: 14,948	Re: Welding. 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. __________________ Owner of North Point Car Care in Dundalk Md. We specialize in custom exhaust on both modern and classic vehicles. We are a full service auto shop from classics to modern vehicles. Feel free to contact me with questions. I will give a 10% discount to any board member.

07-17-2011, 07:55 PM	#6
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,082	Re: Welding. 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.

07-13-2011, 08:34 PM	#7
mongoose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: slurrey, bc. Posts: 1,134	Re: Welding. 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.. __________________ -'73 c/10 - Low with Go - will be complete... probably never. -'90 2wd Blazer - well... soon enough anyways. -'84 SWB - the daily gas guzzler.

07-13-2011, 11:53 PM	#8
Gobbles Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: British Columbia Posts: 484	Re: Welding. Go for the mig! I got a Miller 211 and never looked back, its a tank! __________________ Trevor "You already said spite"

07-19-2011, 06:54 PM	#9
karlbenz Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: kannapolis, nc Posts: 528	Re: Welding. thicker wire is not gonna get you penetration on thicker steel though. I have a millermatic 210, wish I had a 251 though

07-22-2011, 06:25 PM	#10
PanelDeland I am a Referee of life. Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro N.C. Posts: 13,992	Re: Welding. 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. __________________ The 47-present Chevrolet and GMC Truck Message Board Network,it's owners,moderators,members,and associates of any type should not be held responsible for my opinion. You can't fix stupid,not even with duct tape. "My appearance is due to the fact that "GOD" does punish you for having too much fun!" Barrett-Jackson has perfected alchemy,they make rust into gold! "You can lead a horse to water but you can't saddle a duck" "Cleverly disguised as a 'Responsible Adult' "Sometimes your Knight in shining armor is just a retard in tinfoil"

07-22-2011, 08:48 PM	#11
Dunenutt Newbee Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 1,406	Re: Welding. 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!

07-22-2011, 09:17 PM	#12
ryans69chevy Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Casselton, North Dakota 58012 Posts: 1,082	Re: Welding. 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!



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