welder

[samibattlemaiden]

ok so not necessarily a 60 related post (im starting to notice a theme here) but, i need to buy a welder and im wondering what you guys think would be the best investment arc or mig? i have more experiance with arc but, is mig more versatile or worth the cash?


advise away

 

[Dynosoar]

I vote MIG. Do yourself a favor and buy a Miller or Hobart machine.


Dynosoar

 

[Dave-T]

Definitely a mig with the shielding gas setup. The miller is a sweet machine.\

A small oxy/acetylene setup is versatile as well. You can weld, cut, shape, and braze.

 

[brian]

im wondering what you guys think would be the best investment arc or mig?

advise away

short of oxy/ace and few other uber fancy setups, it's ALL arc welding


mig. sheetmetal is a real challenge with a stick welder.

 

[FLFJ40]

Mig, x2 on welding sheet metal with an arc.

 

[samibattlemaiden]

yeah im pretty much sold on miller and or lincoln depending on the flavor of the weld but, yeah sounds like mig is the way to go and ive deffinatly thought about a porta oxy/acet rig for trail stuff and thinner metalsbut keep theopinions coming

 

[rover67]

i got one of the hobart handlers, the 220v small one, i really like it so far.

def. go MIG, and try to go with gas if you can, the flux core is OK but it is much nicer/easier to weld with gas.

 

[Texx]

Miller now owns hobart. My hobart handler 140 came with a miller stinger. Mig's the only way to go for sheetmetal.

 

[jnidecker]

I recently purchased a Miller Pro-mig 140, works off 110v outlets. I went this route largely for convenience, but really, this thing is unreal. I can weld half inch steel easy with .035 (just finished bumpers for the 60), and I'm currently replacing the rear quarter panel with gas and .025 with great results. It's a fantastic machine at a good price. If you can still find them, you can pick up last years model for around $350. The new ones are $550, a great buy either way. Miller or Hobart, either one, you can't go wrong.

 

[CRZA1]

I picked up a refurbished Hobart 220V from an online dealer on ebay. With shipping it was just under $500. After playing with a 110V Lincoln from Home Depot (and by playing I mean stedy welding for about 3 years) I am amazed by the hobart. Not sure if its the 220V supply or the brand or a combination of the both. I will never weld with the mini unit again. I got mine from tool king on a recomendation from my cousin. Not sure where else to get the reconditioned hobarts.

 

[fj40charles]

I recently purchased a Miller Pro-mig 140, works off 110v outlets. I went this route largely for convenience, but really, this thing is unreal. I can weld half inch steel easy with .035 (just finished bumpers for the 60), and I'm currently replacing the rear quarter panel with gas and .025 with great results. It's a fantastic machine at a good price. If you can still find them, you can pick up last years model for around $350. The new ones are $550, a great buy either way. Miller or Hobart, either one, you can't go wrong.

Miller and Hobart are owned by ITW (Illinois tool works).

I'm not aware of a product made by Miller called, Pro-mig. Any chance you're talking about Lincoln Pro-mig?

A 110v welder is not capable of enough penetration on 1/4 or thicker. Yes it will weld on a 1/2" plate, but I would certainly not trust the welds on thicker metal. Your mileage will vary depending on how much you want to bevel.

IMHO, if you plan on doing 1/4" or thicker, you need to step up to a 220v welder.

 

[jnidecker]

ha! you're right! Lincoln is the one.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

I've been running a MillerMatic 175 welder with gas setup for about a year now.

I've been able to burn holes in 1/4" material with flux core wire, so it's got enough power to do anything you might want to do with a 'Cruiser project.

 

[flybynight]

The choice of welder is also dependent on material to be welded.
If you want to weld aluminum you need to go mig, with gas (argon) and spool gun. (or tig, but...)
Stainless...tig

carbon steels, go mig with gas option. 220v at least so you don't regret it later. Mig is the easiest to weld with BUT it is also the easiest to make a bad weld.

welding = zen, love it.​

 

[samibattlemaiden]

yeah i hear you on the variables my plans are mostly 4x4 fab related, im glad to hear mig is nice and clean on sheet metal as i plan to stretch my samurai one of thease days and i'd like ta make it look semi factory but, with my influance, and i'll probly eventually chop the rockers and quarter pannels one day. so mig it are. now to save money and start pdropping hints for xmas.

 

[Waorani]

For quick learning curve and like others have already said - quality mig w/gas. Forget the flux-cored and if you can swing it get a Miller, Lincoln or other good quality mfg. Like any tool - don't skimp on quality if you really plan to use it with any regularity or want to depend on what you do with it.

 

[samibattlemaiden]

ok now a for in my question i know u get what you pay for but, ive heard that the harbor freight bender is ok as long as you pack the tube with sand? im also in th market for one of thease as i wanna make cool stuff that involves bends and welds so again whats the consensis?
Chris

 

[flybynight]

There are some manual benders out there for a "reasonable" price. The benders are not to bad, it is the dies that cost you. I am not so sure about a bender you need to pack with sand. The money you save would be lost quickly over a little time. Errors, time and if the bender holds up.
Search online. there are some independents that I found last year that had some cool tools. I will try to find the links.

 

[samibattlemaiden]

not the benders being packed but the tube other wise the tube suposedly kinda folds or mis shapes from what ive read..... but thanks for looking for the links

 

[flybynight]

i am familiar with the concept.

good benders dont need the sand