Tools & Fabrication - which type of welder?

I have been reading a lot of threads on this but still have some questions. I want to fab up a turbo kit including manifolds and weld a cage in the car should i get a mig or a tig ?

I was looking at the Miller 211 i believe that has a spool option to mig aluminum will this work well for what i plan on doing? I was planning on stainlees hot side and aluminum cold side plumming. and a mild steel or chromoly cage. maybe i could do stainless cold side or steel?


:eek2:

Tig all the way

You want mig then.. aside from the regular hard wire/Flux core, you can also weld on aluminum and stainless with the right wire and spool.

I was thinking mig would be better to do everything with, tig is better for specific situations.

I have a Hobart Handler and that thing is awesome man. I'd recommend it.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/products/wirefeed/

TIG.

Mig is great for steel but a TIG will produce nicer welds if you know how to use it.

You can mig weld stainless, i just migged a stainless turbo setup together with 75/25 gas no less, but the welds do not come out looking nearly as nice and most people say tig is preferred for making headers as there is a lot lower chance of pinholes with a tig.

For aluminum tig wins hands down. The high frequency AC current of a tig helps clean the aluminum as you weld and gives you a stronger better looking joint. You can mig weld aluminum (I have always wanted to try) but from everything I have read you better have it extremely clean and its still going to be difficult to get a good weld.

Oh and I saw roll cage, chromoly needs to be tig`ed, you can`t do it with a mig. You can mig in a mild steel roll cage if you have a large enough mig.

With the OP's description i'm going to have to say TIG.

I was thinking mig would be better to do everything with, tig is better for specific situations.

i can weld anything with a TIG mig welding is only handy when doing production work like building trailers. as for spool gun thats totally out of the question

What's one of the lowest priced entry level tig unit? For home garage use, just for exhaust and such? I'm in the market for one, but I just need the basic for ss, steel and aluminum, nothing over 1/4in. Thick
Reccomendations? Accesories?
:corn:

So maybe the Diversion 165 is the way to go then?

I would try and get both if possible. I have both and honestly use each one for different situations. I would get the diversion 165 and a Small miller or hobart(same thing). There's a lot of used ones out there on Craigslist I'm sure you can find a deal.

I would also recommend both. Spend the big money on the tig and pick up a cheapie mig. I still haven`t bought a tig, but I am happy with my harbor freight mig. Its the dual mig 151 and its not as nice as a miller or lincoln, but it does what I need and if you watch the sales and use the 20% off coupon you can pick it up for less than $150 out the door.

TIG's can be expensive, but they produce the best results. If you are only looking to weld basic items - exhaust, sheet metal, etc. just find a used 110v MIG on craigslist. I picked up a Miller 135xp for $125 on craigs. You can weld stainless well with tri mix gas and stainless wire. I run the 80/20 argon mix and steel wire for the mild steel.

If you want to weld aluminum, either buy a TIG or take your parts to a shop that can. I dont think a MIG can properly weld aluminum, but I dont have extensive experience with this either.

both have their place....tig is great on rollcages and aluminum and stainless welding. migs are great for things like welding plates to the OEM pans and frame rails. Factory metal is sh%t and tends to pop which contaminates tungstens quickly.

how much experience do you have welding ?if you get a mig ,get a 220 volt job.whats your budget ?I wouldn't buy a tig from harbor freight.it mite be cheaper to buy a used turbo set up from some body on here.

If you know how to weld just get the TIG. MIG can work for stainless or aluminum but it's a special application of the tech. IE, production work. TIG works for everything it's just slower (and prettier.) I have a Miller Econotig 180 that works great for everyday car stuff. It's not beefy enough for aluminum castings but it works well for what it cost. I use my Millermatic 185 mig (15 years old) for everything else. I have used the hell out of the mig once you have one all projects change scope (like I can just cut that out of the way and then weld it back into place.) All my garage shelving is welded steel - it's still a mess but I tried.
Steve

I used to weld stainless at a dairy some and did sanitary welds. I have never used a mig. I am looking at the miler diversion 165 right now. but not in a big hurry. As I said main things are aluminum and stainless and some mild steel. looks like the tig is the way to go.

anyone know of a good place to pick up stainless stock for headers and a turbo kit?

as for header tubing the best place is from Burns Stainless and for the bigger turbo tubing go to Rodger Industries in Cedar Springs Ontario Canada simply the finest bends i use about 500 a year for all my custom exhausts and turbo systems i build
Beaudacious

for what you want to do a tig is the best option, it is a steep learning curve. if your building cars you need both. if your just doing one car tack it with a mig and find a shop to weld it for you. you will be stuck with 2400 worth of tig equipment you use very little. how much welding experience do you have? if none it will take a lot of work to get to the point where you will be proud to show off your welds.

I just ordered a Hobart 165 tig. It is the same unit at a miller 165 but comes with a pedal.

$1252 delivered.

Going to build anthing with stainless or alum and tig is the only way to go.

Can't wait to get mine so I can start on the alum exhaust for my car.

Tim

How thick is the metal that will be welded and what type of metal?

So maybe the Diversion 165 is the way to go then?

I own one and love it. Very easy to set up and will weld any type of metal

Go with the Hobart 165. It is the same as the miller and is cheaper and comes with a pedal.

Been welding with mine all weekend and it has done a great job.

Tim

Go with the Hobart 165. It is the same as the miller and is cheaper and comes with a pedal.

Been welding with mine all weekend and it has done a great job.

Tim

show us some pics

http://i1012.photobucket.com/albums/af247/gray86hatch/DSC09673.jpg

http://i1012.photobucket.com/albums/af247/gray86hatch/DSC09674.jpg

Did the alum exh on my car today and also fixed grandfathers Mower deck. The mower what thick stuff and I had no issues with getting the heat I needed.

Tim

Go with the Hobart 165. It is the same as the miller and is cheaper and comes with a pedal.

Been welding with mine all weekend and it has done a great job.

Tim

The Hobart is no where near the machine of a Lincoln or Miller! Cheaper, Yes

Go with a 175 or bigger if welding aluminum. You have to look at the duty cycle and inverter. Dynasty if you have the money

Don't you have better things to do than follow me on the Internet.

And the Hobart 165 is a miller 165.