mig welder buying tips - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

brad20653 · 08-09-2003, 02:04 PM

Is this good for light work on truck ?

http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00920560000

cdowns · 08-09-2003, 02:39 PM

most body panels are 20gauge and that's lighter than the 18gauge that that welder handles, i'm not a big fan of the flux-core wire much prefer the mig welder with the co20argon mix for doing body panels

**smitty62** · 08-09-2003, 03:01 PM

By all means, stay away from the flux core stuff--leaves horrible welds on sheet metal. I've got a Hobart MIG that I love--it's not the 110V tho--it's the 220V. If you don't expect to weld too heavy of stuff (11Ga. or over) 110V will get you by, but my experience is that it's hard to hold a weld.

brad20653 · 08-09-2003, 05:25 PM

What else if flux core not good ? Gas? kinda dont want to deal with gas isnt there something that can just weld rockers floor pans and such without gas ?

**Palf70Step** · 08-09-2003, 05:59 PM

People do it without the gas...but gas MIG welding just makes it easier..especially if your learning to weld.

I have a 110V Lincoln Mig with Gas set up and it seems nice. I am still relearning what little skills I had 30 years ago, but it seems fine for the body work...which is what I got it for.

One thing you'll find...once you start using and get better with your welding, you'll find all kinds of stuff to do besides the truck body work.

progress · 08-09-2003, 06:07 PM

Depending on what sheet metal in the truck you are welding (ie bed is 16 ga - 14 ga and cowl is 20 ga in some areas) you can use flux core. You can use .030 flux core down to 22 ga (.031) if you like. The gas kit is extra and you can always add it later. Make sure you get .030 flux core since it can be used for 22 ga to 14 ga. With enough practice you can make it work. Heck Southpa welded his body panels with an old buzz box and some stick...LOL! I use oxy-acet on some parts with a 000 tip just because I can control it better and want to get into to some really tight spots that I cannot reach with the big MIG tip. Just be careful of heat and warping the thin sheet metal...that is a different lesson.

mtdave2 · 08-09-2003, 07:02 PM

now that im older and a bit wiser, i live buy the rule... buy the best you can afford. right now you might just need a welder for light truck work. but, its almost a sure thing that later you will need a welder for something else..

spend the extra money and get a 220 volt.

http://cyberweld.com/milmigwel.html

those guys are the best price on the net..
i bought the millermatic 175, LOVE IT awsome welder..

just my opinion...=)

MOTHERTRUCKERS · 08-09-2003, 07:04 PM

We use the Hobart Handlers ( Miller ) here and have been very happy with them for sheetmetal, we also have a spot welder that KICKS A$$ even on 3/16 steel. Bought it at a machinery auction for 50.00 ran the model # and it turns out to be a 2 year old that sold new for 2300.00. YAHOOOO

Bigdog257 · 08-09-2003, 08:40 PM

Does anybody know of a good site online to buy a welder?

**Palf70Step** · 08-09-2003, 09:08 PM

I've dealt with these folks and haven't had any trubs out of any of them. I got my welder from the first site, but have dealt with the other for accessories and all.

http://www.weldingmart.com/

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv

http://www.weldingdepot.com/

Bigdog257 · 08-09-2003, 09:45 PM

Would you recommend the one you have? Are you happy with the performance?

lux hauler · 08-09-2003, 11:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bigdog257
Does anybody know of a good site online to buy a welder?

http://cyberweld.com/index.html
I've never dealt with them but many people here speak highly of them.

Billy G · 08-10-2003, 11:50 AM

I bought my welder y'day @ Lowes....a Lincoln Pro 135 for $427....was $463 and some change out the door. It came with the gauge setup for gas. Going to get some 'gas' Monday.

Took it to work last nite to experiment...so far I like it. It's a little different than a "stick"....but my 'mud-dobbin' seemed to hold. Just gonna take practice.

Billy G

Lincoln Welder @ Lowes

wxman1 · 08-10-2003, 05:16 PM

I agree on the Lincoln 135. I bought mine
at lowes also. I tried using fluxcore .035
wire on sheetmetal and it burned through
all the time. I went to BOC Gases and got their
40lb Ar/CO2 bottle for $114 ($18 fillup)
and after using .025 MIG wire and the gas
it works very well. I'm not saying that .030
fluxcore won't work on sheetmetal but for a
beginning welder the .025 MIG setup makes it
much easier.

Jim
Mt Juliet

08-09-2003, 02:04 PM	#1
brad20653 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. MD Posts: 218	mig welder buying tips Is this good for light work on truck ? http://www.sears.com/sr/product/summ...id=00920560000 __________________ Soon to have 68 SWB 350 with Turbo350

08-09-2003, 02:39 PM	#2
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	most body panels are 20gauge and that's lighter than the 18gauge that that welder handles, i'm not a big fan of the flux-core wire much prefer the mig welder with the co20argon mix for doing body panels __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

08-09-2003, 03:01 PM	#3
smitty62 Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,234	By all means, stay away from the flux core stuff--leaves horrible welds on sheet metal. I've got a Hobart MIG that I love--it's not the 110V tho--it's the 220V. If you don't expect to weld too heavy of stuff (11Ga. or over) 110V will get you by, but my experience is that it's hard to hold a weld. __________________ Stepsides look like real trucks! Smitty

08-09-2003, 05:25 PM	#4
brad20653 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: So. MD Posts: 218	What else if flux core not good ? Gas? kinda dont want to deal with gas isnt there something that can just weld rockers floor pans and such without gas ? __________________ Soon to have 68 SWB 350 with Turbo350

08-09-2003, 05:59 PM	#5
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	People do it without the gas...but gas MIG welding just makes it easier..especially if your learning to weld. I have a 110V Lincoln Mig with Gas set up and it seems nice. I am still relearning what little skills I had 30 years ago, but it seems fine for the body work...which is what I got it for. One thing you'll find...once you start using and get better with your welding, you'll find all kinds of stuff to do besides the truck body work. __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-09-2003, 06:07 PM	#6
progress Gotta luv a clean shave Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Kent, WA Posts: 226	Depending on what sheet metal in the truck you are welding (ie bed is 16 ga - 14 ga and cowl is 20 ga in some areas) you can use flux core. You can use .030 flux core down to 22 ga (.031) if you like. The gas kit is extra and you can always add it later. Make sure you get .030 flux core since it can be used for 22 ga to 14 ga. With enough practice you can make it work. Heck Southpa welded his body panels with an old buzz box and some stick...LOL! I use oxy-acet on some parts with a 000 tip just because I can control it better and want to get into to some really tight spots that I cannot reach with the big MIG tip. Just be careful of heat and warping the thin sheet metal...that is a different lesson. __________________ Welding while you wait...you can help if you like and it...might even save you a little as long as you don't mess things up! We make house calls too...just like the old days!

08-09-2003, 07:02 PM	#7
mtdave2 newly minted old timer Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Hudson WI Posts: 3,521	now that im older and a bit wiser, i live buy the rule... buy the best you can afford. right now you might just need a welder for light truck work. but, its almost a sure thing that later you will need a welder for something else.. spend the extra money and get a 220 volt. http://cyberweld.com/milmigwel.html those guys are the best price on the net.. i bought the millermatic 175, LOVE IT awsome welder.. just my opinion...=) __________________ ____________________________________________ 72 c20 longhorn 65k org miles and counting! 69 k10 Suburban

08-09-2003, 07:04 PM	#8
MOTHERTRUCKERS Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: BRADENTON FLA Posts: 3,269	We use the Hobart Handlers ( Miller ) here and have been very happy with them for sheetmetal, we also have a spot welder that KICKS A$$ even on 3/16 steel. Bought it at a machinery auction for 50.00 ran the model # and it turns out to be a 2 year old that sold new for 2300.00. YAHOOOO __________________ Rest in Peace Ed. Thanks for all the good times.

08-09-2003, 08:40 PM	#9
Bigdog257 Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Naples Florida Posts: 44	Does anybody know of a good site online to buy a welder?

08-09-2003, 09:08 PM	#10
Palf70Step State of Confusion! Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Gulfport, MS USA Posts: 47,216	I've dealt with these folks and haven't had any trubs out of any of them. I got my welder from the first site, but have dealt with the other for accessories and all. http://www.weldingmart.com/ http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv http://www.weldingdepot.com/ __________________ Bill 1970 Chevy Custom/10 LWB Fleetside 2010 Toyota Tacoma PreRunner SR5 Double Cab - DD Member of Louisiana Classic Truck Club (LCTC) Bill's Gallery Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift. Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God!

08-09-2003, 09:45 PM	#11
Bigdog257 Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Naples Florida Posts: 44	Would you recommend the one you have? Are you happy with the performance? Last edited by Bigdog257; 08-09-2003 at 09:51 PM.

08-10-2003, 11:50 AM	#13
Billy G Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Dayton, Tx (in Old River) Posts: 286	I bought my welder y'day @ Lowes....a Lincoln Pro 135 for $427....was $463 and some change out the door. It came with the gauge setup for gas. Going to get some 'gas' Monday. Took it to work last nite to experiment...so far I like it. It's a little different than a "stick"....but my 'mud-dobbin' seemed to hold. Just gonna take practice. Billy G Lincoln Welder @ Lowes __________________ My FAMOUS LAST WORDS...."Ima Gonna!!" - 1970 GMC 1500 swb/step 250 I-6 3 spd - "The GEM" - 1976 Chev Scotsdale swb/step 350/350 - "The JEWEL" - 1982 Chev C-10 swb/step 250 I-6 3 spd - - 2001 Chev Silverado LT -

08-10-2003, 05:16 PM	#14
wxman1 Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: mt juliet, tennessee, usa Posts: 237	I agree on the Lincoln 135. I bought mine at lowes also. I tried using fluxcore .035 wire on sheetmetal and it burned through all the time. I went to BOC Gases and got their 40lb Ar/CO2 bottle for $114 ($18 fillup) and after using .025 MIG wire and the gas it works very well. I'm not saying that .030 fluxcore won't work on sheetmetal but for a beginning welder the .025 MIG setup makes it much easier. Jim Mt Juliet

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