Flowmastered87GL Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 Well it turns out the buyer I had lined up for the brat needs a car, like now! and the brat just isnt ready now... still needs more metal work... so... Looks like I get to go buy myself a welder and learn to weld. I was probably going to look for a hobart or lincoln wire feed welder that plugs into normal outlets. One that has adjustable wire feed speed as well ad adjustable power output. Is chicago electric any good??? What have others used on their brats to fix the rust damage?? When I pick it up anyone in the portland area willing to show me the ropes of welding?? Do's and do not do's? Hell anyone got a unit they wanna sell used?? * Welding will be done as rust repair on an 82 brat in case you are wondering the nature of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bajavwnsoobnut Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 Mike you logged off before I could tell you I would show you how if you dragged the rustbucket over here to my house one of these mornings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 dude just drive down here and I'll weld it up for you for free:D:D:D.....Well a 12 pack might be in order! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SubaruRichie Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 If you do buy a welder buy a Miller. Great welders. I use them everday at my work. Had some experience with lincon welders. Not near as good as a miller. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caboobaroo Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 yes I would have to agree. Miller is probably one of the best welder companies around. If you plan on getting a small welder like Andrew's, make sure it has a connection for gas on the back of it. You'll be able to use it on a larger variety of stuff and thicknesses Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archemitis Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 my hobart 135? i thnk... works very well, can be run with or witout sheilding gas, and has a 7 year warrantee =]. very happy with the way it works, lincolns are great too. i have even had good luck with a 200 dollar generic one, that worked for 4 years, and still is to my knowledg. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flowmastered87GL Posted September 26, 2004 Author Share Posted September 26, 2004 There is a hobart 135 at harbor freight for $379 Comes iwth regulator and stuff for the gas should I ever want to get some. There is a lincoln at home depot for like $325, but doesnt say anything about gas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushbasher Posted September 26, 2004 Share Posted September 26, 2004 I wouldnt go with the hobart. Ive got a Lincoln Mig Pak 10 and it works great, adjustable wire speed and current. Fitting in the back for gas, but I haven't got a reg and tank for it yet. It was 499 cdn at Canadian Tire. For 600 cdn I could have gotten the 220v mig pack 15, but I've got the arc welder for big stuff so I just stuck with the 110 model. Anyways, it's worked great for welding up the rear fenders of my wagon. You just have to be careful because subaru sheetmetal is thin and burns easy. Using gas makes welding sheetmetal alot better, it burns the metal less. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will Smith Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 you can also use a acetylene/ oxygen gas rig and coat hangers to weld on your Brat. very inexpensive that way. Easier to grind down the welds also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sweet82 Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 I was looking for a welder to build the buggy with, I talked with the folks at Harbor Freight about their Chicago Electric welders and the guy there told me they got about 25% back. That end that idea real quick! I ended up getting the Lincoln at Home Depot for $325--great welder. You can add the gas attachment for $100. I have never done it yet. Flux core wire works fine for me so far. Good luck Glenn 82 SubaruHummer 01 Forester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisscheese Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 DON'T get the chicago electric. Trust me. I have one that actually works OK on thick material, but to weld sheet metal you need much more adjustment capability and a more stable arc than the Harbor freight model can provide. I suggest a Lincoln SP-135 Plus or a SP-175 Plus. (because I have not used either a Miller or Hobart in comparable size, I can't comment on those, other than to say Hobart is owned by Miller and is the less expensive brand with less bells and whistles) These have infinitely variable voltage and wire feed, come all set up for gas. I suggest NOT using flux core on sheet metal. Good luck, welding will open up a whole new world of fabrication for you. You might be the next Jesse James! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushbasher Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 its possible to weld sheetmetal on flux core but it'll never look pretty. the sp135 is not infinite, it's a 6 position wire tap. It's all the adjustability that you'll need though. unlike the POS ones with a "high/low" switch Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swisscheese Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 the sp135 is not infinite, it's a 6 position wire tap. It's all the adjustability that you'll need though. unlike the POS ones with a "high/low" switch HOW DARE YOU,SIR! Questioning me? The SP-135T and SP175T have six position taps, The SP-135/175 Plus both have infinite voltage control. I have the 175T, and have never really missed having infinite control. Someday I will get a TIG and that will give the really fine adjustments needed for the very thin metals. And TIG is much better for aluminum, stainless and chrome-moly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s'ko Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Last I check, northern tool Company has Lincolns and Miller welders. They can break up the payment into several installments on a credit card. That way you can get a better welder w/o having to sink all of the cash right away. I forgot their website, but you can google it to find it. BW Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rallyruss Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 I use a miller 135 at work and a miller 175 at home. both are great welders the 175 is more expensive but does a better job at a wider range of thicknesses. dont buy a cheapo welder if you can help it it will only frustrate you. go with a lincon or miller. and yes you NEED fine adjustment. espically on sheet metal. that is in my opinion some of the hardest stuff to lay a nice bead on. you may want to consider gas or tig setups too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthWet Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 Topic Hijack: s'ko, do have contact info for Northern Tool? I understand that it used to be Northern Hydraulics. I quit getting their catalogs... We now return to your regularly scheduled thread... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bushbasher Posted September 27, 2004 Share Posted September 27, 2004 HOW DARE YOU,SIR! Questioning me? The SP-135T and SP175T have six position taps, The SP-135/175 Plus both have infinite voltage control. I have the 175T, and have never really missed having infinite control. Someday I will get a TIG and that will give the really fine adjustments needed for the very thin metals. And TIG is much better for aluminum, stainless and chrome-moly. okay okay you win, my bad Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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