Welding equipment
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Welding equipment I gonna be getting into welding and need to get all my own equipment but have no idea what I would need. I have someone that is gonna show me the basics but I want to get the right equipment the first time. I want to be able to do things like weld in rollbars, subframe connectors, some cutting (might get a plasma for this later), and stuff like that. What do I need to look at getting spec wise for a machine and what not? I looked at welders like lincoln but really have no clue what I would need at a minimum for most automotive welding. Any suggestions would be great and I'm not looking for a huge setup just one for the garage.
Thanks!
Thanks!
On The Tree
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prob want some type of mig welder unless your planning to be working with chromeoly then you need a tig. you could get a 130-150 amp mig for under 500 bux. a tig will run you at least a $1000 and up. i'd look into a Miller welder brand wise, they make a great product. I've heard good things about hobart too never used one though. they make a great product. I've used a few lincoln migs before and wasn't very happy with it. the thicker the steel you you want to weld = the more amperage you need. 130-180amps should be plenty for automotive stuff.
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From: bethel PA
if you want to put roll bars in you need a big 220 set up, your looking at 1500+ for a good welder for roll bars, you dont want to do roll bars with a little 140 amp mig, your going to need 180+ amps for what you want to do.
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Would a 220 be the minimum or just make it easier? Would a 180 still work? Sorry if that sounds like a dumb question but I have no clue as I never welded yet. Thanks for the help guys!
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From: bethel PA
220 is voltage, 180 is amperage. I really dont know if id even do a roll cage with a 180 mig, Im just really fussy with safty, I only have a hobart 110 volt 140 amp welder here, I do a lot of stuff with it but I know my welder would never do a roll cage, you need a lot bigger welder than that for doing a cage.
I just recently joined the long line of new welders and you're right, the vast amount of choices is crazy. You can go cheap and get a 110v model and limit yourself to future big projects or go ahead and spend the extra $ and buy a 220v model for the thicker metals. Also, some cheaper welders have voltage output selection ***** that click for a couple of settings, others have Infinite Voltage Control for fine tuning. I opted for a Millermatic 175 for those 2 main reasons. I understand Hobart's are made by Miller but are a little less quality and options, but still a good welder. You want to opt for a welder with the gas option for cleaner welds and not having to worry about cleaning off the slag from using flux wire. The possibilties are endless and can break the bank if you let it.
Here's a link from Millers website showing the various power output and metal thickness their welders can handle:
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/
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Thanks for the link. This is getting to be as bad as when I first started modding the car and couldn't decide on what cam to get 
Oh well, hope I make a better decision with my first welder than I did with my first cam
Oh well, hope I make a better decision with my first welder than I did with my first cam
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Get as big a welder as you can afford. MIG with gas shielding; great for beginners, easy to use and gain experience. TIG for when you get more experience.
You can dial back a larger welder for thin stuff, you can't push a small welder to do the thick stuff unless you really know what your doing.
Look at the Miller 210. It does a great job all around.
You can dial back a larger welder for thin stuff, you can't push a small welder to do the thick stuff unless you really know what your doing.
Look at the Miller 210. It does a great job all around.
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Thanks! Can someone tell me what is the difference between a MIG weld and a TIG weld? I know the TIG is stronger but why? I've asked this question several times to numerous people and all I get is "it is stronger"!
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From: bethel PA
a tig welding you use a gun thats like a torch and filler rod, you have to hold the gun and melt the filler rod to weld, a mig welder the wire is feed in the welder to the gun, its a lot eaiser to weld with to start out, and takes a lot less time, tig welding takes 2 times longer to do.
Metal type and thickness is a big consideration. Most of the 110 volt welders come with .023" wire, this is good to 1/8". Anything thicker you'll need to step up, which = more money. Use stargon gas and solid corewire, 75% argon, 25% co2. Good penetration, less spatter,and after weld cleanup. Most people can pick up wire welding. Remember to weld with the most heat you can (without burning through), this insures adequate penetration and weld finish. Wirefeed has allowed people to think they're welding when they are just sticking something together!
Tig takes a long time to learn. You need a lot of hand eye cordination and practice. It's more expensive, slower, harder, requires more metal prep, good fit up, but the finished product looks more professional and is stronger.
I like both and each has their place, just a little knowlege before you buy. My suggestion, buy good AMERICAN made product and you won't be sorry. Service and parts are also something to consider.
Tig takes a long time to learn. You need a lot of hand eye cordination and practice. It's more expensive, slower, harder, requires more metal prep, good fit up, but the finished product looks more professional and is stronger.
I like both and each has their place, just a little knowlege before you buy. My suggestion, buy good AMERICAN made product and you won't be sorry. Service and parts are also something to consider.
Originally Posted by lethal93ta
if you want to put roll bars in you need a big 220 set up, your looking at 1500+ for a good welder for roll bars, you dont want to do roll bars with a little 140 amp mig, your going to need 180+ amps for what you want to do.
i am going to weld the roll cage in my car with my 135 welder (weldmark welder). it does 1/8" really without a problem, i've done 3/16" with it before and i got good penetration, i just had to work it a little bit. if i had the money i would definitely get a 220volt, unfortunately my finances only allowed me a 110volt, which has worked well so far. i also use .03 wire when i weld thick metals.
i want to get a 220volt tig when i get some money
i want to get a 220volt tig when i get some money
On The Tree
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Go hobart or miller. my buddy took his miller 250 away from me so i just went and picked up a hobart 140. It will do 24gauge-1/4" steel. and for a good price. Payed 460 and got a hobart $90 helmet for free. If i had the extra money to spend i would have went miller but I'm on a budget.
still gotta pick up a bottle, cart, and more wire.
still gotta pick up a bottle, cart, and more wire.
Either brand will do, miller or hobart 
I personally have a MM140 and it does a great job on the light fab stuff. I have not tried it on roll cage tubing, but if its 4130, I would not use it anyway. IF I had to do it again, I would get the MM 175 just because of the added power. The 140 is great, but only 110.
I personally have a MM140 and it does a great job on the light fab stuff. I have not tried it on roll cage tubing, but if its 4130, I would not use it anyway. IF I had to do it again, I would get the MM 175 just because of the added power. The 140 is great, but only 110. 
take a look at HTP. http://www.htpweld.com/
we use they're inverting 201's for just about everything around the shop. they work awesome and i have absolutely no complaints with their product or their customer service.
as far as mig welding goes i would look at their 140 or 160. the bigger the better in my opinion because you can always back the bigger ones off.
we use they're inverting 201's for just about everything around the shop. they work awesome and i have absolutely no complaints with their product or their customer service.
as far as mig welding goes i would look at their 140 or 160. the bigger the better in my opinion because you can always back the bigger ones off.
Last edited by xfactor_pitbulls; Jul 3, 2007 at 09:40 AM.
