Welder for automotive use

Posted By: scrag

Welder for automotive use - 01/23/09 11:22 PM

I am looking to buy a welder to use on various car related projects and was looking for some ideas as to what to shop for. Never used one before so there will be a learning curve involved - plans are to use it on bodywork, exhaust - etc. I was hoping to stay below 500.00 for it.
Thanks in advance...

Posted By: Ken25

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/23/09 11:35 PM

i'd look at harbor freight for a mig welder. theye have some that are 2-3 hundred i believe.i've been a pipe fitter/welder for some time and tig as much as i can. those are much pricer. look at the american welding sociaty and lincoln electric for pointers and info on welding. good luck.need any help just ask. ken25

Posted By: magiccuda

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 01:04 AM

I prefer a miller might cost a little more, but it will not be junk.

Posted By: codfish

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 01:14 AM

I actually bought a used Millar this past fall from an old guy. He used it twice. Came with a filled bottle, a cart (roller), auto darkening helmet, extra tips and wire, and a 50 foot, 6 gauge extension cord

, for 600 bucks. I thought it was a good deal. Oh yeah, it's a Millar 180, 230 volts.

Maybe you can pick up a used one too.

codfish

Posted By: 70blackfish

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 01:42 AM

Quote:

I prefer a miller might cost a little more, but it will not be junk.

MILLER is a great machine.

good customer service should you need it too.

Posted By: dart67

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 01:55 AM

I love my Lincoln 175. Had it about 7 years and has worked on thin metal very nicely. Think it goes up to 1/4 inch.

Buy a good quality welding helmet. You can also get lens that helps you to see better. I'm talking about 1.5 or 2.0. Like reading glasses. I thought I was seeing my work, but when I put in the different lenses it blew my mind. I had been trying to weld blind.

Posted By: elitecustombody

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 04:48 AM

I will have to agree with guys above,Miller is a great machine,you will never regret buying one,look on local craigslist,you can always find great deals

Posted By: bigdad

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 04:56 AM

Nothing 110 period

Buy a Miller , made in american

Lincoln good 2nd choice made in canada

no flux core welders //save your money

Posted By: srunge55

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 05:15 AM

I have a Lincoln 135 110 volt mig. It works great on sheetmetal. I have welded in frame connectors with it also. Yes, I would rather have a 220 volt welder but they are a lot more $$$$.

Steve

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 05:56 AM

I've also got a lincoln 110v. Says it'll weld 1/8" tops. That's fine for me, sheet metal is a hell of a lot thinner than that. I used it to weld together a small utility trailer. Worked great and the trailer has taken my abuse without issue. I bought it new off ebay for something like 250 shipped to my door. Went out and bought my bottle of gas, a decent welding mask and I was good to go. At the time I didn't have 220v in the garage so 110 was my only choice. It's been a great little welder. If I need to weld anything super heavy duty, I can borrow a stick welder.

Posted By: 1_WILD_RT

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 06:01 AM

Might be worth checking this out...

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/mau/tls/976812442.html

Or

http://honolulu.craigslist.org/search/sss?query=mig

Posted By: rftroy

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 06:07 AM

Quote:

no flux core welders //save your money

Agree with you there, no question.

Quote:

Nothing 110 period

Gotta differ a bit here. I have both a Lincoln 220V machine (a model 210? IIR) and a 110V machine, a power mig 140C.
He's talking about sheetmetal and exhaust pipe work. My opinion - the 220V machine is not good for light gauge sheet metal. You need to turn voltage and wire feed down to lowest settings and it's still difficult to control vs good 110V machine.

The 140C is the smoothest machine I have ever used. The electronic control really makes a difference and makes work on thin metal very easy. I think for a beginner on sheet metal a good 110V machine would work out better. Some excellent used machines in your price range.

Miller vs Lincoln is up to you. You'll get similar arguments Ford vs Mopar. Both very good.

I concur: Definitely avoid Harbor Freight or other bargain vendors. Junk, and you won't do good work with them.

Bob

Posted By: runningman

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 02:15 PM

I've got a 110 Miller and love it, butt welded my floor pans and I have also welded frame connectors on. The thing I like about the 110 is that I have had many friends ask me to bring my welder over to weld different things, none of them has 220 so it worked out great.......

Posted By: BigBird

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 04:55 PM

Quote:

I've got a 110 Miller and love it, butt welded my floor pans and I have also welded frame connectors on. The thing I like about the 110 is that I have had many friends ask me to bring my welder over to weld different things, none of them has 220 so it worked out great.......

I have a Miller 110 also and like it for the same reasons. I can take it and a generator any where to weld on the farm for repairs that I cannot get to the shop. For heavy repairs I still arc weld it but tack it all together with the mig.

Posted By: car48nut

Re: Welder for automotive use - 01/24/09 08:02 PM

Anybody ever use a CENTURY welder? How good are they?