Guest brus Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 I hope this is not too far off topic but since it has been brought up, I'm wondering what kind of suggestions the welders in the group have for buying and using welders? I don't own one myself but would like to. What kind do you use? Mig? Stick? etc. which is best and what to look for in a welder? brus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest PaganQWA Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 I was talking to a friend yesterday about Arc welding. Sounded pretty basic, and very interesting. What do you need to setup your own Arc welder? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bill Putney Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 I'm not an expert on this, but you need some type of inert gas welder (MIG, TIG) if you're going to weld stainless steel (as in Subaru exhaust systems) or aluminum. An arc welder will meet most basic needs for frames and general repairs of iron. Might pay to get the arcer, and if/when you come across the occassional more exotic need, take it to your local shop. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest bajavwnsoobnut Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 well I have done welding for a bit and I would recomend getting one of those lil Lincoln MIG welders that runs on 110V and get flux core wire and yeah with aluminum and also SS you hafta use a sheilding gas as in inert gas like CO2 and argon and if you need a quick don't really care, just to keep it together type of weld then get a Stick welder Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest toolguy2000 Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 Welding kicks rump roast! As far as what type to choose there are a few choices. Stick, gas shielded mig, and flug cored mig. The easiest is either type of mig however it takes more prep work because migs dont like rusty metal. Some mig's can also weld aluminum with the correct spool gun. Stick, with practice, can weld just about anything that you would encounter on a car. I would recommend taking a class at a Vo Tech type school to get a good introduction to welding. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest lenhorn Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 For use in an automotive application I would recommend a MIG setup. For someone who hasn't done or isn't going to do a lot of welding they are the only way to go. The stick welders are much more difficult to use for a beginner or occasional welder. A 110v Lincoln or Miller "Wire feed" as they're called will run around $300.00 - $400.00 if you shop around (maybe a little less). Keep in mind that these welders won't weld much more than 3/16ths thick metal and their duty cycle (how much work they can do per given period of time compared to how much time the welder needs to cool down) will require much cooling time compared to welding time when working thicker metals (1/8-3/16). Typically the small welders will have a 20% duty cycle at full load, i.e. 20% of the time they can weld and 80% of the time they need to cool (1 min out of each 5 minutes they can be welding). To put this into perspective one minute of welding on say 1/8 sheet metal will get you about a 4" long weld. Where these little welders really excel is welding bodywork type sheet metal. If you fabricating bumpers, rollbars, etc. I'd recommend stepping up to a 220v, 150 amp gas shielded mig setup (approx$500.00-$800.00). With one of these you can weld just about anything from 18 ga. sheet metal to 3/8ths plate and stainless, aluminum, mild steel, etc. (depending on what shield gas you use). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Witte Posted March 2, 2001 Share Posted March 2, 2001 I would go with a Hobart 135. Its cheaper than the small Miller, runs off 115, and is a world better than that little box lincon puts out. The little lincon Wirefeed needes alot of upgrades to make it a Mig, and then run Al wire. YOu should be able to get the Hobart for $460 with shipping. It seems to be much better at smaller stuff than the Big Mig At work due to better adjustiblity, better wire feed, and the fact it uses 75/25 instead of CO2. No problem runnign either gas through either machine, its just that if you are setup for 75/25 normaly you don't need adaptors to run Argon, and possibly Tri mix. One thing to watch for is when you buy the wire spend a bit more and get the stuf that doesn't have copper shielding. Copper is not a good thing to have in your welds, and doesn't really do anything but chew up the welder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skip Posted March 3, 2001 Share Posted March 3, 2001 These three welding posts should be put in the USRM. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brus Posted March 3, 2001 Share Posted March 3, 2001 Thanks for the replies. Sounds like an arc welder is still the best all around choice. Meaning it can do more, and at least at the moment is cheaper. What is the USRM BTW? brus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Skip Posted March 3, 2001 Share Posted March 3, 2001 Ultimate Subaru Repair Manual- Shawn is building a resource center for common problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest mudrat79 Posted March 3, 2001 Share Posted March 3, 2001 Almost everything I do on the subaru's gets welded with a 220v Lincoln Mig welder. The newer ones are variable wire feed, and power for different materials.I can weld 20 gauge sheetmetal, or up to 1/2 inch steel plate with just the one welder. It will let you run a weld bead any direction needed without changing to another type of wire, where as with an arc welder you must be knowledeable in different rod types. 7018 loves to be welded flat, and not at all vertical or from the bottom. 6011 is a good all around rod, but makes an ugly service weld.These are all things to consider also when buying a welder. I have welded exhaust back together with an arc welder, but you must know the machine, and what rod to use. Otherwise you will be blowing holes, and making a bigger mess of things than you started with... Just my 2 cents worth, later all, John in Oregon. remember, SEE MUD, SNOW, or WATER, MUST PLAY....... 86 Hatchback : 5 speed Hi-Lo, Limited Slip Rear Diff., rear Disc brakes, Weber carb, 3 inch Lift, 14inch rims, custom exhaust, Roof-rack, and Bumpers. Can I possibly want anything More..? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest brus Posted March 4, 2001 Share Posted March 4, 2001 mugrat What could I expect to spend for a 220v Mig welder like yours? What is it's duty cycle on 1/2 plate? I'd like a alround welder good for just about anything. brus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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