First Time Welding Questions - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMC1967 · 04-02-2003, 11:37 PM

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 · 04-02-2003, 11:49 PM

Get a small wire feed, and a very good grinder

Wasted Income · 04-02-2003, 11:58 PM

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 · 04-03-2003, 12:13 AM

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 · 04-03-2003, 12:57 AM

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 · 04-03-2003, 01:22 AM

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 · 04-03-2003, 01:37 AM

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 · 04-03-2003, 01:51 AM

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 · 04-03-2003, 01:58 AM

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 · 04-03-2003, 02:26 AM

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

67cst · 04-03-2003, 02:51 AM

good ol 6011 eh buck...awesome farmer rod

GMC1967 · 04-03-2003, 08:53 AM

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

smokekiki · 04-03-2003, 09:03 AM

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

mrein3 · 04-03-2003, 09:23 AM

Quote:

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* · 04-03-2003, 10:28 AM

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 · 04-03-2003, 02:48 PM

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 · 04-03-2003, 05:14 PM

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

'72 Shorty · 04-03-2003, 05:31 PM

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** · 04-03-2003, 05:43 PM

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!!

04-02-2003, 11:37 PM	#1
GMC1967 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Deerfield, MA Posts: 162	First Time Welding Questions 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. __________________ 1967 GMC Custom 8ft Fleetside 292 L6, 4spd. 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible 455, TH 400 1969 F#$% Bronco 302, 3spd 4.11's 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 Fiesta Wagon

04-02-2003, 11:49 PM	#2
krue Designated A-hole! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: South Mississippi Posts: 36,450	Get a small wire feed, and a very good grinder __________________ "If it ain't broke, fix it 'til it is!" Being stupid ain't illegal. We're Still Debt Free Except for the House!!! www.daveramsey.com 70 GMC SWB Stepside project "Green Booger" soon to be 6.0l/4l80e 93 S-10 "Poppaw's Truck"

04-02-2003, 11:58 PM	#3
Wasted Income Boosted Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mackinaw, IL Posts: 2,200	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. __________________ 1972 2wd K/5 Blazer Turbocharged 370 LSx - 941 rwhp / 1093 rwtq 1969 Chevy K-10 L33 5.3 / 4L80E / NP241 / 4" lift 1964 Buick Skylark Twin TURBO 383 LS pro-touring project 2014 VW Passat TDI - Daily Driver Turbo diesel 2015 Sierra Denali HD Duramax Turbo diesel 2016 Ford Explorer Sport - Twin Turbskis 2017 Polaris RZR Turbo 2014 Nor-Tech Center Console - Twin Supercharged Outboards *TURBO ALL THE THINGS!!*

04-03-2003, 12:13 AM	#4
Jason71k10 ready for reassembly Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Barrie ONT, Canada Posts: 413	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 __________________ stock 71 4x4 2003 Jeep Liberty, rocky mountain edition I'm obsessed, and wouldn't have it any other way!

04-03-2003, 12:57 AM	#5
Solver Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Storm Lake, Ia Posts: 1,449	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. __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super 20 LWB-Blue 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Black 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-Red 1972 Cheyenne Super 10 LWB-green 1972 GMC 4x4 LWB-White 1971 Cheyenne 10 LWB-Ochre 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Copper 1971 Cheyenne 20 Longhorn-Black 1969 Custom 10 LWB-lt blue 1968 GMC 3/4 ton-green 1968 1/2 ton swb stepside-silver 1967 Chevrolet CST 10 LWB-green 1967 Chevrolet custom 20 LWB-Maroon

04-03-2003, 01:22 AM	#6
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	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 __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

04-03-2003, 01:37 AM	#7
hobby67stepside Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 952	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. __________________ '05 2500 HD Silverado 6.0 liter '97 2500 4X4 454 eng '92 2500 4X4 350 eng '78 K20 4X4 400 eng '70 Boss 302 (owner for 27 years) '57 Ford shortbox 383 stroker TH350 tranny '23 T-bucket (built in '78) '02 Explorer '67 C-10 short step NW Iowa Last edited by hobby67stepside; 04-03-2003 at 01:51 AM.

04-03-2003, 01:51 AM	#8
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	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 __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

04-03-2003, 01:58 AM	#9
hobby67stepside Registered User Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 952	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. __________________ '05 2500 HD Silverado 6.0 liter '97 2500 4X4 454 eng '92 2500 4X4 350 eng '78 K20 4X4 400 eng '70 Boss 302 (owner for 27 years) '57 Ford shortbox 383 stroker TH350 tranny '23 T-bucket (built in '78) '02 Explorer '67 C-10 short step NW Iowa

04-03-2003, 02:26 AM	#10
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	ya gotta love a quick fix on the farm!!!!! __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska

04-03-2003, 02:51 AM	#11
67cst i love summertime Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Kelowna BC Posts: 4,303	good ol 6011 eh buck...awesome farmer rod __________________ 1967 shortbox stepside Chevy, 365 hp 327, th400. GLOVE BOX LIGHTS FORSALE, click link for info http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=273724

04-03-2003, 08:53 AM	#12
GMC1967 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: South Deerfield, MA Posts: 162	Thanks, for all the help... sounds like i'm going to go for a millermatic 175 or so. __________________ 1967 GMC Custom 8ft Fleetside 292 L6, 4spd. 1973 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Convertible 455, TH 400 1969 F#$% Bronco 302, 3spd 4.11's 1958 Oldsmobile Super 88 Fiesta Wagon

04-03-2003, 09:03 AM	#13
smokekiki Mike Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: west chester pa Posts: 2,474	I will second that 6011 for burning thru the crap! I did repair work for the local amish and menno's. __________________ 70'c/10, 71 suburban4x4 402bb, 72suburban 4/6 drop, 72k/5 4x4 blazer 4" lift 35 tires

04-03-2003, 10:28 AM	#15
Gee_Emm Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,002	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.

04-03-2003, 02:48 PM	#16
Blue Beard Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Washington State Posts: 8,834	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. __________________ 1970 Chev CST 2003 Harley Fatboy 1975 Chevrolet Step Van 1956 Chev Bel Air 1977 Blazer 2WD For Sale $3000.00 1978 Blazer 2WD For Sale $7000.00 1978 Silverado 2005 Monte Carlo



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04-03-2003, 05:14 PM	#17
Mike Culpepper Red Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Llano... Texas Hill Country Posts: 448	Ran across this the other day.....might help some? http://www.myoldtruck.com/display.ph...u=400&menu=401 __________________ '72 Cheyenne LWB 350/350 "The sun don't shine on the same dog's ass all the time." - Catfish Hunter (commenting on why he was not able to pitch another perfect game).

04-03-2003, 05:31 PM	#18
'72 Shorty I finally got an avatar Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Cheney, WA Posts: 180	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. __________________ -72 C-10 short step (straight line only) 12.922/102.28 -69 C-20 on Propane (DD) -69 C-10 -56 Mack B-753LS (tow rig) -94 Chev K2500 Short Ex-Cab -89 Isuzu Trooper...Kinda -03 Kawasaki KFX-400 -05 Suzuki DRZ-400S

04-03-2003, 05:43 PM	#19
1971Stepside Almost Satisfied Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Springfield, MO Posts: 2,932	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!! __________________ 1971 C10 Stepside. LSx 6.0 with BTR Stage IV, Speed Engineering Headers, 4L80e transmission w/3200 Circle-D Stall. 3.73. Posi. Purchased this truck when I was 17. I started the rebuild (or take apart) in 1993. I have drug it around all over the country in pieces. Finally back on the road in 2021. "I can't complain, but sometimes I still do. Life's been good to me so far."

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