d16forlife

Hey guys I need some help.Personal experiences would be best.

Im looking at buying a welder but Im kind of confused on what to get.A budy of mine keeps persuading to get a TIG/ARC welder but that would eat up my whole turbo fund(about 1800 bucks including a MIG welder).I know a TIG is more versitile and a better all around welder but Im kinda leaning towards a 150-175amp Mig.The guy at the welding supply store was also trying to sell me the TIG(couse its more expensive of course!)and was telling me that alot of people have trouble with the wire feed on the MIG.He said it was more common with aluminum though.

I now manny of you have welders and the best advice would come frome you. What should i get?What works for you?Im just looking at putting together my own manni.,down pipe,and full exhoust,you know the basic stuff like that.Im not going into buisness!

Thanks guys,Rafael

BLACKSI

well if you buy the tig dont expect to just weld you parts up the next day it will take plenty of practice to be able to weld a down pipe with out melting huge holes in it. were with a mig after say a few practice sessions you could put your setup together(not as preaty of course) hell the wire feed would make the dp/chage pipe easy then you could weld the manifold with a o2 acetylean setup with some practice of course, if seen plenty of gas welds that are alot cleaner then a mig. my best advice would be to find someone with both welders and try each one out, learn to gas weld theres lots of basic stuff you learn while doing so like how to control the heat and how to add filler.

Beau

customcoach

Miller MIG. The best all around welder in my opinion. I have a lincoln but I like the Miller better. Beau is right, you will be a while learning the TIG to get a good strong weld thats not full of holes. Its almost an art form.

d16forlife

Thanks for your input guys.The last time I welded was in high school.I had 2 years of auto mechanics.It was oxy-acetylyne though.The miller is the one I was looking at Anthony.I think Im going to give the miller a try.I know im going to have to practice alot.....

MikeJ-2009

Let me know when you get the welder so I can come chill at your house! rofl

d16forlife

Oh fo shizzle ma nizzle Stealth-dizzle!

MikeJ-2009

Dizzouble Dizzutch. ROFL

G2turbo_terror

I have a Hobart handler 135 and love it. I'm to cheap to pick up any gas so I just use shielded wire, everyone always bitches about shielded wire but I have no probs and welds are always clean (I have experience though...) Also keep in mind the power the unit will need. I believe you couldn't go any higher than mine before everything started running off of 240V.

d16forlife

Thanks G2.Yeah I have that power requirement factor in mind.I only have a 100 amp service providing power to my house so it would actually draw less amps if it was 240 amp single phase(the higher the voltage the lower the amperage needed to run).Otherwise it would literally dim my lights...........oh Im an electritian

FURACERMAN

Millers kick ***. The first time I welded was with a Miller. I got the settings all right and laid down a nice fat bead. The guy that tought my has a masters in welding . And he said one of the most over looked factors in laying a nice bead is the settings.