Ok, I finally have been frustrated enough that I decided that it's time to buy myself a welder and learn how to this art myself (any learning advice is welcome).

I guess I what I need is some advice as to what to look for in a welder. I would like to get something that I can run on standard household current that can weld floor pans and the like. I don't need to a top of the line machine, just something I can use around my garage on my cars as needed.

What set me off on this, is I have been waiting since October for a guy to do a front floor pan, a toe board and trunk center pan for me and he keeps blowing me off. Another quoted me $1100 and I needed to supply the sheet metal, like floor pans, etc.

Thanks for any and all advice, tips, instructions, suggestions, etc.

Has been posted many many times, do a search. Look for MARTINSR posts on welding basics. Go to the local welding shop and buy there. Get everything you need in one stop. They can also help you setup the welder for what you need. Worth every penny, just had a friend over welding this weekend same deal. He spent about 4hrs total time welding. The last welds looked great, that is what you need to do practice.

I have a MIG Hobart 135 (with Gas), and as a Novice working on my Chevelle I like it so far.

A good website, although it's hosted by Hobart lots of other welders are discussed.

http://www.hobartwelders.com/mboard/

I second the Hobart MIG 120 or 135. Gd chunk of change but a nice piece.

If $ is an issue get a Lincoln Flux Wire-Feed welder. Cheaper to buy but I get a lot more splatter and the wire is more expensive so in the long run the MIG is a better choice.

check autobodystore.com for a good welding primer course.

I just last week bought a Lincoln Pro Mig 135, it is light years better than my old flux core mig welder. I paid $454.00 at Lowes and got the argon bottle from the local welding supply store. It runs on 110 house current.
Ron

In order to work correctly you will need a legit 20 amps at the receptacle. I use a 20foot 12 gauge extension cord with good success on anything up to a medium setting. Best luck in overall Mig has been with .030 wire. .023 works on thin sheet and very little heat, .035 will build too high on you unless you are experienced enough to make a good weld. When you get set up, take your time and think of welding sheetmetal as a series of 1" welds that ultimately link together. If you need to weld anything heavier, I prefer to run the .035 flux core and turn up the heat. Fairly easy to learn process.

DON'T BE BRAVE (READ STUPID) : ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET WITH THE CORRECT SHIELD!!!!! Plenty of guys out there that will tell you they have been welding without a shield for years. And there are plenty - waiting in line at the eye doctor's office for their next prescription for glasses. Also, make sure to have plenty of ventilation. If you have to weld in a closed garage, at least have a fan running on low speed to get the fumes moving away from you. But not so hard that it blows the shield gas away with it also.

Good Luck.

PS, Where are you located in NJ?

GRN69CHV:
"DON'T BE BRAVE (READ STUPID) : ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET WITH THE CORRECT SHIELD!!!!! Plenty of guys out there that will tell you they have been welding without a shield for years."

Man, that is just plain stupidity. Kinda' like shooting Emron without full-body armour or a resperator. Geezz...

Thanks for the Posts. They are much appreciated. Any commments on the new Holbart's. I'm looking at this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200306073&R=200306073

The price doesn't seem to be over the top and free shipping makes it attactive too. Remember, I'm a pure beginer that will be pretty much teaching myself, but would like to be able MIG weld auto sheet metal. If there is something out there you all feel might be a better price/performance unit... I'm all ears. With a daughter in college and 2 boys in braces... cheap is good, but I don't want to be buying garbage either. Thanks.

Originally posted by 67Sleeper:
Thanks for the Posts. They are much appreciated. Any commments on the new Holbart's. I'm looking at this one:

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=6970&productId=200306073&R=200306073

The price doesn't seem to be over the top and free shipping makes it attactive too. Remember, I'm a pure beginer that will be pretty much teaching myself, but would like to be able MIG weld auto sheet metal. If there is something out there you all feel might be a better price/performance unit... I'm all ears. With a daughter in college and 2 boys in braces... cheap is good, but I don't want to be buying garbage either. Thanks. I think either Miller, Lincoln or Hobart are pretty much equal in quality, after that, shop best service or price. You CAN beat that price.
Ron

Watch the Discovery Channel shows and see how many times bike / rod builders strike an arc without a helmet on. As interesting as these shows are, sometimes they tend to send a wrong message.

Man, when I bought my Hobart Handler 120 (in 1990) it was like $1200 Cdn!!! And worth it, too. Nice to see you can buy quality welders now for half that (in USD).

Actually, I like Miller cuz of that pretty blue paint-job. :cool:

GRN69CHV -- I live in south central (Freehold area) NJ. About 20 minutes from Belmar Beach if know the shore area.

For a budget welder how about the mig pak made by lincoln? It comes with regulators and all you need to do is supply your own C25 bottle and your mig welding. I think home depot sells the welder for under 300 bucks, literature says it'll weld up to 3/16 in one pass. I almost bought one but a friend bought a lincoln 135 and I sprung for the bottle and gas so he lets me borrow it when I need it and for a couple of ametures we haven't destroyed any fenders or panels yet. Jim

Anyone know the differance between the Lincoln SP135T and the Lincoln SP135 Plus. The "T" version is about $100 cheaper.

So far I found:

Hobart handler 140 for $439.75
Hobart Handler 125 for $341.77
Lincoln SP-135T for $429.87 ($409.87 for a re-ferb.)
Lincoln SP-135 Plus for $532.55 (over my budget)
Lincoln Weld-Pak 100 for Under $300

Any suggestions. Again, I'm not looking to go into the welding business and don't need to buy more then I need, but I don't want to buy something that is going to fustrate me even more.
Thanks again.

Anyone know the differance between the Lincoln SP135T and the Lincoln SP135 Plus


One has infinite voltage settings, the other (cheaper) model has only a handful of settings. Either will get it done.

Thanks for the clarification on the Lincoln 135T vs. 135 Plus.
Are the "refurbished" models worth considering, or should I just walk away form them? Can any one here comment on re-fub welders? I only list the one above, but have seen others.

New welder, bought mm175 220v.

I sort of wish I got a shorter bottle that would fit under the bench with the cart. I bought 6' of 1" x 1/8" I cut in 4" lengths and weld together about 6 before starting a new "set" I had trouble getting enough penetration with .23 I changed to .30 and got good penetration. I was told the gas should be set at 20 gas flowing. I now use the hobart chart as to how thick a metal you can weld with a wire. check out these chin actuated helmets http://www.accustrike.com/accu.htm
Use caution with the fumes, DON'T WELD GALVANIZED.
Use caution welding zink coated nuts and bolts, that's all of them. Get some scrap fenders from a body shop. Cut a hole out of one and weld in a piece from the other. Great way to practice for free:)