First Time Welding Questions

[GMC1967]

I want to get into welding, and have only done it a couple times screwing around with a stick welder. I am wondering what I should get for working on vehicles (body, frame, etc) for a first time'er and any recommendations of what brand, model, etc. Thanks in advance.

[krue]

Get a small wire feed, and a very good grinder

[Wasted Income]

For body work, I'd get a small MillerMatic 110 MIG (uses inert gas to shieild the weld while fusion takes place). I personally dislike flux core welders. If you have 220v and enough amp service in your garage, go with a bigger welder. That way, you'll be able to weld up thicker material, with better weld penetration.

[Jason71k10]

I have a wire feed arc, and they don't weld sheet metal very well at all. I've been told that a mig welder is better for sheet metal etc. but the wire feed does weld mild steel very well though...just not thin gauge steel ...........maybe i just can't use it properly???:p

Jason

[Solver]

I have a hobart 135 handler and think it does a pretty good job.
It originally came as flux welder but it does have all the pieces to convert to gas, Except the gas tank. It is a 110 volt welder so I probably wouldn't want to try and weld a frame together. For body work it works well. Watch for a sale where they include the cart to set it on.

[67cst]

id say to go with a mig forsure, i was taught to weld light gauge with stick but its pretty tricky, i think vertical down was the easiest with the thin stuff, but if you got a nice little mig you could pick it up easy, i also agree that flux core sucks, instead of a sheilding gas coming out of the gun along with the wire the flux core is a tubular wire with the shielding inside the wire, it is a bit trickier (sp*) to start your arc with and it isnt as clean either, i think the first mig im going to get is an inverter, you can weld stick and all sorts of other processes with it, that is waht i learned on so i think id get frustrated if i got a dinky "pocket mig" with 1,2,3,4 settings for volts (heat)....hows that for useless rambling


Derek

[hobby67stepside]

Whatever you do practice, practice,practice. Use some old sheetmetal or heavier steel if thats what you want to weld, but get scrap and experiment on that. I was about 12 when I asked my Dad if I could learn to weld. He handed me the stinger and said "weld". That was over 40 years ago. I still am not the welder I would like to be, but usually I can get done what I want. The thin sheet metal is the hardest to learn. Thick stuff is easy. Again practice is what it takes.

[O'l Buck]

I've got an old "Almand" stick welder that I really like, but it's not much good for light sheet metal....you can weld it, but it burns through real easy. I've also got a little Clark 110 wire feed that I'm using the flux cored wire with. I don't care for the welds I get with the flux, but it works for no more than I need to weld sheet metal. One thing that will give you a nice weld is to have the area clean of all paint, rust, dirt, manure, etc.......the almand will weld a wagon tounge throught 1/4" of manure....but it smells really bad.....hehe

[hobby67stepside]

O'l Buck, I couldn't imagine I was the only one on this board to weld thru the (literally) sh!t you mentioned. I have done that numerous times. Got out of the livestock business quite a few years ago so haven't had to do that in awhile. I did make some good money when I raised hogs.

[O'l Buck]

ya gotta love a quick fix on the farm!!!!!

[67cst]

good ol 6011 eh buck...awesome farmer rod

[GMC1967]

Thanks, for all the help... sounds like i'm going to go for a millermatic 175 or so.

[smokekiki]

I will second that 6011 for burning thru the crap! I did repair work for the local amish and menno's.

[mrein3]

Originally posted by hobby67stepside
Whatever you do practice, practice,practice. Use some old sheetmetal or heavier steel if thats what you want to weld, but get scrap and experiment on that. I was about 12 when I asked my Dad if I could learn to weld. He handed me the stinger and said "weld". That was over 40 years ago. I still am not the welder I would like to be, but usually I can get done what I want. The thin sheet metal is the hardest to learn. Thick stuff is easy. Again practice is what it takes.

hobby67stepside said it best. Get an old fender or hood and practice. First adjust the machine and lay down a bead. Once you can do that try a lap weld. Once you can do that try a butt weld.

If you can't decide between two machines buy the heavier one. All other things equal the better power source (which is usually heavier) is the way to go.

As far as flux core wire verses gas shield wire goes they both have a purpose. If you are outside the wind may blow your shield away so you want to use flux cored wire. The flux shields the molten puddle from oxygen. Oxygen makes pits. Pits make bad welds. The 6011 rods they are talking about are covered in flux. That flux shields that process from the air. If you got cow crap on your rocker panels I'd clean it first before I'd strike an arc. In your garage a gas shield is the only way to go.

[Gee_Emm]

You might wanna stick with a stick :p to get started then move up to the mig. The best advice for a good weld is to have your metals nice and clean.

[Blue Beard]

I use the 110volt Miller wire feed with gas.

Being first time welder, less power use will help keep you from burning thru so much. Like everyone says practice alot.

And if your pocket book doesn't hurt too much look at a auto darkening hood. Well worth the investment, even for first time users. Don't have to lift the hood for starting your weld.

Check out Cyberweld on the net.

[Mike Culpepper]

Ran across this the other day.....might help some?
http://www.myoldtruck.com/display.ph...u=400&menu=401

['72 Shorty]

You'll be happy with the Miller 175. I just got one about a week ago and it's the nicest welding machine I've ever used. Of course, most of my welding was done with a stick or a POS Century mig, But I have used Hobart migs, both 110 and 220V, and a few others. I love my new Miller.

[1971Stepside]

I bought a Lincoln Pro135 Mig from Lowes. I then bought the shielding gas bottle and I am very happy with the welder. This was also my first attempt at body work and one thing I have found is the wire size is critical. I started out with a .35 wire and was burning holes. I went to the .23 and now, even I look like a welder. Lost Wages has the Hobart 135 Handler and it is a nice welder too.

The advice about a good grinder is true. I have also found that my pneumatic angle grinder is the best tool I have for body work.

Good luck and remember, it's just metal! It can be fixed!!