Welder?
 

Hey guys, what kind and size of welders are you using to do these projects. I've done a little welding and plan on buying a welder to help me on my projects (one of which is a FI ZC). I'm looking to weld charge pipes, exhaust, etc. Any suggestions?

Re:Welder?
 

Mine is a lincoln 110v Mig welder. It fits the full size spool of wire and is mounted on a cart with a full size argon bottle..

I always use 75% arg to 25% co2 instead of the other way.. The welds look much better and heat is much easier to control..
Ive welded quarter panels on with it.. not spot welds either but one long bead.. No warpage at all!

A tig is better for making pipes but alot more expensive too. ;D

Re:Welder?
 

I will second wildmans setup. I think that it is the best bang for the buck to have a small true mig wirefeed with a bottle. The cheap fluxcore migs work too, but they have a lot of slag, and spatter. I do not know if I would trust the welds in a pressure situation unless you add a ton of material. Tig is nice, but expensive and takes a long time to learn how to do well.

Re:Welder?
 

hobart tigmate runs off a 220 and has a full size argon bottle. still need to make a cart for it.

Beau

Re:Welder?
 

i know its not great but i have a lincoln 110v wire feeder without gas....it works fine, and ive welded notches into the frame of my old truck without a problem...as for the welds holding pressure, thats another matter

Re:Welder?
 

Ok, so im looking for a MIG welder, but is 80 amp enough? or will i need 130 or more to make some nice charge pipes, intercooler tanks, etc?

Re:Welder?
 

there is a "gas kit" for the lincoln 110v welder. i bought mine as a gassless unit and added the parts from the kit to make it true mig.. I think this is a 120 amp max unit it has 4 power settings. Ive done alot of frame work with it.. it can weld straight through plate up to 1/2" on high. if that gives you anything to guage by. ::)

Re:Welder?
 

i just recieved a cheapo 70amp gasless campbell hausfeld... never welded before, so practiced on this old chair i had in the garage, the steel is thin, and it would burn through when i would try to form a bead and move slowly... i could only get decent beads by moving back and forth and going over the weld pretty fast... it doesnt have a control on the welder.. what could be the reason for burnin through?

thanks..

Re:Welder?
 

burning through is a result from to much heat. your settings are to high.

this is how i see it. spend good money on a welder and it will last you A LONG time.

i bought a little eletric 400$ special thing. and i mean the things a piece of ---- compared to a miller m200. cant weld anything bigger then 1/8" no penetration.

i will classify all eletric (gasless) welders up in a few words.

BAG O ASS. worst investment ever.

miller m200 and the air liquide ones are about 1500 cdn. worth every penny.

Re:Welder?
 

lol, ok well i got this one free.. so i hope i dont ---- up any charge pipes witht his thing... heh :-\