I have decided to get a MIG welder for welding sheet metal (Chevelle, Charger) and possibly working on frame rails (Dodge Charger) as well.
I was hoping someone would have some good advice or a brand/unit recommendation on what I should get.
This would be for home/garage use for my Auto restoration habit...hobby.
Thanks, Todd

If you do a search in the body shop forum under "welder" for the last month, you'll get a lot of good discussion. Myself and others have some posts in there on this subject.

115 volt Lincoln welder, works great. will carry a 11Lb spool of wire and can also use gas (preferred).

Get a real name-brand welder. Lincoln, Hobart or Miller. I have one Lincoln and one Century (made in USA but a minor brand) and the Lincoln is so much easier to get a steady arc. No contest here.

Any of the big 3. They are all quality units. If you can afford it get the gas setup they work better but the core wire setups will work ok.

I have a hobart handler 140, about $500 with tank. Good little unit and operates on 110V. The next size up requires 220V. I use mine for lots of fab work,tubing, quarter inch plate etc. If you do aluminum you will want the spool mounted gun, the wire breaks trying to run it through the hose.

Lincoln and Miller make a 110/220 volt welder....plug it into whatever voltage you have. The 220 will weld material about twice as thick as the 110 volt...just depends on what you plan to weld. 110 is fine for sheet metal and light work, welds on suspension/frame might need the 220 volt power. They run about $700-$800, plus gas and tank.

Try some out before you buy (welding shops, schools, etc)

I vote miller.

Miller 135 here, originally had one of the sets from home depot, took it back after adding up the cost of everything required to make it a mig setup. For pretty much the same price I was able to get the miller, which came with a nice cart, and from what I read was a much better welder. As said though, I think any of the big 3 would be great.

The 110 miller will weld anything on a muscle car period, suspension or frame. You can weld 1/4'' with it but you have to really burn it in there, but there isn't anything that thick on any of these cars.

Rob

Thanks for the advice guys!
Todd