what welder should I get?
 

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 :)

Re:what welder should I get?
 

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

Re:what welder should I get?
 

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.

Re:what welder should I get?
 

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..... >:(

Re:what welder should I get?
 

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

Re:what welder should I get?
 

Oh fo shizzle ma nizzle Stealth-dizzle! ;D

Re:what welder should I get?
 

Dizzouble Dizzutch. ROFL :D

Re:what welder should I get?
 

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.

Re:what welder should I get?
 

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 ;D

Re:what welder should I get?
 

Millers kick ass. 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 :o. And he said one of the most over looked factors in laying a nice bead is the settings.

Re:what welder should I get?
 

OMG how do the lights even work in your house?! ??? :o Time to upgrade. Do you know any good electicians? ;)

I have a 110 cheapy welder that kicks ass. I paid close to nothing for it, but I can weld charge pipes like you wouldn't believe. I doubt it could lay down any serious welds, but it works great for the small stuff.
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Re:what welder should I get?
 

ive got the cheapest wire feed welder lincoln makes...ive welded everything from charge pipes to shifters to a step notch in the frame of my old truck (the first time i actually tried welding something big)...i just got a gas setup for it, cant wait to mess around with that

Re:what welder should I get?
 

Hey Doc who said the lights work.LOL!


Come down here amd help me put in a 200 apm service with a 70 amp sub. in the garage.....Ill pay you with beer and a crazy night in TIJUANA MEX!If were lucky we can find the donky show :o Hahaha...GROSS!

Re:what welder should I get?
 

Shouldn't you be able to spell it then? Just wondering. I'm an assdro fizzysist. Not really. :P

Re:what welder should I get?
 

I was in a rush that morning but sorry ...here...electrician.happy?lol

Re:what welder should I get?
 

i was think of buying a 110 hobart walmart cheapy mig, just for small stuff

Re:what welder should I get?
 

Me too, its like $179 or close to that, I look at it everytime I go to WallyWorld.

Re:what welder should I get?
 

I picked up a Lincoln Mig-Pak 10, which is 100 amp peak, 110v. I've only used it for shielded so far. I've put about 3lbs or wire or so through it. I tried a non-Lincoln wire and the welds look great compared to the Lincoln stuff, I'm also able to carry a much cleaner fatter bead, it seems to penetrate well. This welder is rated upto 1/4" steel with shielded, so I used it to build my manifold and all my charge pipes. I did three passes on the manifold welds just to make sure. Where the runners met the flange I did two passes on the outside and one on the inside.

Although this unit was able to do the job, it would have been alot less work with a 150 amp, 220volt mig with gas. Cleaning up all the slag every time you stop and start, or for each pass is a royal PITA. And then cleaning up all the little beads of molten metal that spatter all around the weld sucks too.

As soon as I get out of this temporary house and buy a new house, I'll rig it up with 220v to the garage and definitely get a bigger mig. Probably just another Lincoln, cause I'm happy with this one. No problems with wire feed etc. so far.


Neil

Re:what welder should I get?
 

Thanks Neil!Thats exactly what I wanted to know before I got the 100amp and regreted it.

Make your own! :)
 

My first post, I might as well include something with a little info. LOL

http://www.turbomustangs.com/forums/...?threadid=8872

DIY TIG welder. Sweet!

Re:what welder should I get?
 

holy s@#t! that's awesome! well, i just got a 90amp with plans on making manifold, i guess i should just sell it and get at least a 150?