I am doing my 1/4 panels and am looking at a small mig/flux core welder to plug into standard household outlet and learn to weld. Any thoughts on my options for welders or a good source new or used. Not looking to do heavy metal welding, just small stuff. I see some in summit. Will these do the job or should I keep my nose out of this. Thanks.

The small 110v welders are fine for sheetmetal work, but not much else. I would highly suggest you look for one that allows the use of 75/25 argon/co2 shielding gas. The flux core shielded wire makes a nasty looking weld that takes more time to clean up. A gas shielded weld is a much neater deal.

Figure on spending about $500-750 for a decent 110v welding machine to do sheetmetel work.

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Malibu Motorsports (http://www.malibumotorsports.cjb.net)
414 ci bbc, pump gas, 3500 lbs
10.66 @ 125 1/4 mile
6.74 @ 101 1/8 mile
1.47 60' on 9" tire

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 10secBu:
The small 110v welders are fine for sheetmetal work, but not much else. I would highly suggest you look for one that allows the use of 75/25 argon/co2 shielding gas. The flux core shielded wire makes a nasty looking weld that takes more time to clean up. A gas shielded weld is a much neater deal.

Figure on spending about $500-750 for a decent 110v welding machine to do sheetmetel work.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I second 10secbu, I have a lincoln weldpak 100, paid around 300 bucks 2 years ago. I will add the gas attachment to it later on, the gas give a cleaner, spatter free weld.



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Michael


T.C. member # 758
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69 malibu convertible
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&lt;&lt;this space reserved for 66/67 chevelle BB/4spd&gt;&gt;
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Look past the flux wire welders and go with a gas system. A little more expensive but well worth it. Check out some pawn shops. You can find some real deals sometimes. Here's a post to read. Probably the best you'll find on the web as far as MIG welding and auto body goes.
http://www.chevelles.com/forum/Forum3/HTML/005465.html

Hit the local welding shops and talk to them. Make it a one stop shop get any thing you will need all at once.

I agree, forget about the flux core, they are for working on bridges not cars. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

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1965 Buick Gran Sport Convertible
1965 Buick Skylark H/T
"Fan of most anything that moves human beings"

Don't buy anything smaller than a 135 for 110 welding at home. If the metal aint clean it'll look as bad as using flux core wire. Clean nmetal makes for clean welds that will yeild minimum grinding, and better penetration.

RandyB..

I just got a Hobart 135 (made by Miller) for $399. Includes the gas hookup and wheeled cart for welder and gas bottle. Santa just couldn't pass up that deal! Gas bottle lease is around $120 plus $20 to fill.


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GARY
71 SS 454
71 Malibu Convertible
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