Gotta do some welding - need some advice

[Joshua993]

This may not be the proper forum - I am sure this will get moved if it isn't.

I am going to be cutting out and welding in some new metal on the body of my truck, as well as fabbing a bumper just after the first of the year. I am researching/shopping for a welder that will serve as an all purpose type machine - sheet metal (body work) to 1/4" steel plating for my bumper fab. And quite frankly, I know almost nothing about welding, let alone the machines.

For those who do a lot of fabbing, what is the best way to go without spending a ton-o-grip?

Sorry for the silliness of this post - just not sure where to start, and there seem to be some very knowledgeable folks here!

Thanks!
JT

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Tools and Fabrication - IH8MUD.com

 

[CruisinFJ60]

i have the Hobart handler 187, its a 220 welder with alot of adjust-ability , ive done sheet metal with it and it worked for me. you can use flux core or solid wire with shielding gas as well.

 

[Joshua993]

Tools and fab - got it. Re-posting.Thx!

 

[Branch]

I have a miller 130. Works good, but 1/4" would be about the biggest you could weld and still get proper penetration. The good thing about it is that it runs off of 120V.

 

[dgangle]

I too have the Miller 130 MIG. Cart, bottle, reg kit and ArC02 shielding gas bottle....$1000 in 2000 dollars. Did everything on my rebuild from body, bumper, V8 conversion, roll cage, etc. 120V is nice too.

now the 140: Miller - MIG Welders - 1-Phase

 

[fj40charles]

Do a search for "hobart handler 187" and you'll find many threads.

 

[-Spike-]

xeleventybillion for the 187.

 

[kb3gun]

187 all the way. Will do anything you want done on a build.