Budget welder for my 10

[cfan10]

I have some rot on my truck (pass doorsill, where cab attaches to the pass fender by winshield, pass rocker) that needs to be taken care of in the worst way.
So, I'm thinking of buying a welder, but I'm in a budget of low $400's.
I'll probably practice on my wiper cowl, because I've been wanting to shave it. And if I screw up it's a cheap replacement at around $15 bucks.
I'm reaaly interested in learning these things myself, since I have alot of plans for this truck. And paying a welder $100's is not going to teach me anything.
So, basically I'm looking for advice on a cheap welder that can handle our gage sheetmetal.
Also, if anyone has pix of there shaved cowl, that'd be great. Welder won't be used for frame work.
Thanks.
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[Zebb]

About 10 years ago I got a Lincoln 135A 110V for our shop. I got it from a welding supply company instead of one of the big box stores. It cost just over $400 then. It is one of the best tools I ever bought. It has done a lot of work and been through a lot of wire and argon. It has never let me down. As far as I am concerned it was worth every penny that I spent on it. I'm not sure if the ones at the big box stores are the same quality or not. I am always suspicious about that, most stuff at those stores is cheapened up.

There are a lot of opinions on welders and I'm sure there are people that didn't have great luck with lincoln also but mine has been great.

[Goldfinger]

a little 110 will be about all in that range just don't forget to check the duty cycle

[craazy22]

You should check out the northern tool industrial might 135. One of the best options out there in my opinion. It keeps up with the Lincoln and miller but almost half the price.
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[makman1297]

I have had very good luck with the harbor freight mig, cost me about $250 (the welder was on sale for about 150, plus 30 for the reg and 70 for the tank) to buy and set up the gas. I use there .32 wire with the mixed gas, it has been able to do every thing that i needed from body work to exhaust, to frame work.

[cfan10]

Ok, checked habor freight and wondering which one will serve my purpose. If someone could check item #68887 & #68885 and give some feedback. One says its great for novices. Thanks.
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[1985-GMC]

If one of them you can use shield gas instead of flux core I would get that one otherwise harbor freight is pretty cheap and should be a good deal.

[makman1297]

You dont want the 68887, its flux only and wont work on sheet metal. I would get the 68885. Remember these are 220V so you need a 220 power outlet. You also have to buy the tank and regulator seperate. I would get the .23 wire and a decent face shield to go with it.

[jhngardner367]

7 years ago,I bought a "Dual-Mig 151"welder from Harbor Freight. I've used it,constantly,in my shop,and it's always worked great.
After 7 years of hard use,the only thing I have to replace,is the torch/welding cable assembly...simply because it's just plain WORN OUT,from constant use.I use the flux core wire (.035/.030),simply because I don't want to buy the gas/regs.I've never had a problem doing body work,with it. I would suggest the 170 amp model.

[JointTech]

I just got this.
RealGear USA MIG140 Mig & Flux Core 140 amp Welder $319 shipped.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/?_nkw=RealGe...d=338980695197
it should be here tommorrow.
Its has continuous heat adjustment instead of just the 4 or 5 steps you see on most sub $600 units.
It also comes with the bottle conversion thingy.
Also it has FREE SHIPPING so you dont get raped on that. Yea its chinese **** but what isnt these days. And you know for damn sure the harbour frieght one is. btw I was over there today and the cash registers all went down. And then after I was finally leaving my bag broke. I guess they get the tools, bags and cash registers all from the same place.
I know its junk but its just so damn cheap I had had to buy a bunch of stuff.

[midniteblues]

I just picked this up off cl $350 (claims to have only one spool through it)+$150 4 the bottle. nice up grade from my cambell that works great but its flux only an not real good for sheet metal