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Old 10-07-2007, 07:43 AM   #1
1972Ryan
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Welder

looking into buying a welder, I have never done any welding but want to take a class at the local community college on it, I just want to be able to weld my own parts on. Can anybody suggest what type of welder I would need and what brand is good. I looked at the Hobarts at tractor supply yesterday, but not sure if I need wire, mig, or what.
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Old 10-07-2007, 09:30 AM   #2
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Re: Welder

Wire (MIG) is likely to be the most versitle and easiest to pick up. If you are going a class to assist, which is a great idea, do that first, then buy the welder.

Over in the body and paint forum there is a sticky about welders and lots of good suggestions/opinion. Helped plenty when I got mine, which by the way, is a Hobart Handler 187.

In general, don't cheap out. Buy the best you can afford. On welders, as on many things, price does reflect quality. Quality always costs, but you can also get some expensive crap.

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Old 10-07-2007, 10:06 AM   #3
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Re: Welder

Buy the best welder you can offord. Wire feed is pretty forgiving. Spring for the shielding gas too. Hobarts are decent welders. They are made by Miller which many consider to be the best. I have a Lincoln. Those are probably the top 3 names.
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Old 10-07-2007, 10:10 AM   #4
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Re: Welder

go to the paint and body forum here.
there is an entire thread dedicated to welders, it is just underneath the announcements: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/f...splay.php?f=16

it helps to keep all of the welder questons in one thread, so i encourage you to use that thread (read it first) for any questions you may have.
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Old 10-07-2007, 11:13 AM   #5
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Re: Welder

I bought a Miller 180...and it is all I need for this truck building hobby!
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Old 10-08-2007, 08:53 PM   #6
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Re: Welder

Great idea on taking the class at the community college. I took one last year after buying my welder, and the class has paid for itself many times over. I bought the Lincoln weldpak 175 from Home Depot, and it has worked great on every project I have tackled so far. Everything from shaving my firewall to building one of Rockcrawlin's tip'n'flip cab dollies. Rent a C25 tank from a local dealer, and buy a larger spool of wire and you're set. My first tank and spool lasted almost a year, and I have done a lot of welding with it.
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Old 10-08-2007, 09:42 PM   #7
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Re: Welder

Buy a miller 250 amp, 220 volt and you,ll be good from the thinnest to 1/2 plate. you,ll be glad you did.
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Last edited by BCOWANWHEELS; 10-08-2007 at 09:42 PM.
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Old 10-08-2007, 09:43 PM   #8
1972Ryan
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Re: Welder

I think i am going to go with the Hobart 187 mig welder...I feel like it may be the best bang for the buck....also did you buy a accesory kit...what all will I need?
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Old 10-08-2007, 09:46 PM   #9
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Re: Welder

I just bought a Lincoln last week. Bought the bottle to go with it, but also flux core wire for outdoor windy ranch repairs. It comes with interchangable rollers to use either type. Haven't even had time to strike an arc yet.
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Old 10-08-2007, 09:50 PM   #10
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Re: Welder

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1972Ryan View Post
I think i am going to go with the Hobart 187 mig welder...I feel like it may be the best bang for the buck....also did you buy a accesory kit...what all will I need?
The 187 comes with the gas kit, so the only things I needed to add were consumables. I picked up a large spool of 035 wire, a large spool of 023 wire (for body work), a tub of 'tip dip', and a cylinder of gas at the local Praxair dealer. I got the welder online (Cyber Weld, I think). You will also need some good gloves, a hood (I did a reasonable auto-dark from Harbor Frieght for about $70) and maybe some protective gear or at least a denim jacket. Be sure you only wear cotton (no poly blends) when welding to lessen burns and NO cuffs to catch sparks (wrists, ankles, shooes, etc.).

You may also want to pick up a MIG combo tool (wire cutter, tip pliers, and tip cleaner combined) and maybe some spare tips (while you're learning).

Herb
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Old 10-08-2007, 10:07 PM   #11
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Re: Welder

Since we're already talking about welders, I have a question.

Since I already have an arc welder but just need a mig for sheet metal, which size mig welder would be okay?

Oh, one more thing, what size tank (argon) are you all buying or renting?

Sorry for hijack...
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Old 10-08-2007, 10:20 PM   #12
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Re: Welder

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Originally Posted by 68gmsee View Post
Since we're already talking about welders, I have a question.

Since I already have an arc welder but just need a mig for sheet metal, which size mig welder would be okay?

Oh, one more thing, what size tank (argon) are you all buying or renting?

Sorry for hijack...
I'm doing 230 Cu. ft. cylinders, leased from the local welding place. I have one of Argon/CO2 mix for general MIG and one of Argon for TIG.
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Old 10-10-2007, 10:56 PM   #13
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Re: Welder

The Lincoln MIG 135 (and the 140)works like charm. Sheet metal, mufflers, spot welding, even a frame. I learned to use it myself. It is 110v (20 amp breaker reccomended). If you are restoring a car or like to do shop tasks this is a good choice. Also, shielding gas (Argon C02 mix) is a must for clean beautiful welds.

Last edited by Roman; 10-10-2007 at 10:57 PM.
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Old 10-10-2007, 11:05 PM   #14
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Re: Welder

I think GMAW or FCAW (self shielded wire) its good option

Last edited by franciscocl7; 10-10-2007 at 11:06 PM.
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