1. Registration trouble? Please use the "Contact Us" link at the bottom right corner of the page and your issue will be resolved.
    Dismiss Notice

I Gots To Get A Welder...

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by Maddevill, Oct 15, 2019.

  1. Oct 15, 2019
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    Messages:
    96
    Hey there. Welp, It looks like if I want to be able to actually do the things that need doing on my 59 ,
    I'm going to have to learn how to weld. Now, back in A&P school we did some gas welding. And I was
    TERRIBLE at it. Gas welding was the first thing that I just never could master. I want to know what you guys would recommend for starting out. Criteria being 1. Cheap, ( because I am...) and EASY. What type of
    welder will turn me into a Metal Michaelangelo?
    I await your wisdom....

    Mad
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  2. Oct 15, 2019
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2002
    Messages:
    6,193
    I did a lot with a 110V MIG. Pretty low cost (I bought a Lincoln), and seemed relatively easy enough to learn.
     
    Focker likes this.
  3. Oct 15, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    A hobart welder is a good economical one Hobart Handler 140 MIG Welder 500559
    A lincoln 180 was my first MIG welder. Worked fine.
    This Millermatic 212 MIG Welder Auto-Set 907405 is what I will replace my 1980's Airco branded ESAB with.

    Buy the best hood you can afford and get an auto darkening one. I used a HF one for a while and i had trouble seeing even though I didn't get flashed.. I bought a 3M like this one Speedglas 9002NC Welding Helmet 04-0100-20NC but older. This is a screaming deal. I paid over 350 for mine on sale.
     
  4. Oct 15, 2019
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2008
    Messages:
    4,716
    Most of the welding on my jeep was with a $200 Campbell hausfeld mig ready but I just used flux core since I couldn't justify the tank.
     
  5. Oct 15, 2019
    baldjosh

    baldjosh Member

    pacific north west
    Joined:
    Oct 24, 2017
    Messages:
    451
    I borrowed my buddies 110 eastwood MIG...he waited till there was a 25% off or something coupon and got it pretty cheap.
    It worked well, and after a little practice I was doing pretty good with it.

    X2 on the auto darkening hood!!! they are amazing
     
    Last edited: Oct 15, 2019
  6. Oct 15, 2019
    Buildflycrash

    Buildflycrash More or Less in Line. 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Gulf Breeze FL...
    Joined:
    Jun 5, 2007
    Messages:
    3,559
    HF 220 Mig for me. Never look back.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. Oct 15, 2019
    73 cj5

    73 cj5 Not ready for the junkyard yet

    Clinton, Mississippi
    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2014
    Messages:
    2,137
    I’m really liking my millermatic 35 so far. I got it and a spool of extension cord for $300. A new regulator, spool of wire and gun consumables ran me ~$80.
     
    47v6 likes this.
  8. Oct 15, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    Older welders work fine and can sometimes be had for a good price like that Miiler 35. Mine is an Airco dip pak 200. It runs on only 220 but has a 60% duty cycle at 200 amps. I never have to stop to let my welder cool down. I hav never exceeded its duty cycle. Likewise, I can weld fairly thin material with it as well. I paid 400 bucks for it. Its large but bulletproof. Its a rebranded ESAB. Would the newer welders work better? Probably not, but they do come with the ability to run on 110/115 and their size is smaller than mine for a similar welder.

    Find a welder that suits your needs and then buy a better bigger one because your needs will expand. Be aware of the duty cycle of whatever you look at. If it says it will weld 1/2 plate but has a duty cycle of 15% at that amperage, you're not going to get much done. Also anything Blue will have a resale value exceeding those that are not. They aren't necessarily better welders, but they seem to be the standard.

    Get one the will accept gas too. It works much better than flux core without the spatter. Flux core is just wire with flux inside like an arc rod has outside. The melting of the material creates the shielding gas to protect the weld from impurities.
     
    Twin2, ITLKSEZ and 73 cj5 like this.
  9. Oct 15, 2019
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
    Joined:
    Aug 3, 2003
    Messages:
    9,754
    All I've ever used is the classic old AC Lincoln "tombstone." Burned a mile of rod with it. Nothing fancy, and useless for bodywork, but it will do a heckova lot around the farm and shop for not much money. For a little more cash, you can get it with DC.


    [​IMG]
     
    Twin2, ITLKSEZ and 47v6 like this.
  10. Oct 15, 2019
    47v6

    47v6 junk wrecker! 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    USA
    Joined:
    Oct 25, 2006
    Messages:
    5,798
    If you get the DC version you can make a scratch start TIG welder out of it. It won't have high frequency start or fancy lift arc and you won't be able to modulate the voltage with a foot pedal, but you CAN weld simple steel very nicely with it. All you need is a bottle of argon, a regulator and a TIG torch with a gas valve on the torch itself.

    My first welder was an AC/DC unit just like the one Pete posted. 75 bucks and it went home with me. 300 bucks later I had a TIG welder too.
     
  11. Oct 16, 2019
    Maddevill

    Maddevill Member

    Shingletown CA
    Joined:
    Oct 3, 2019
    Messages:
    96
    Thanks for all the info guys. Now here's the next question. What things should I make sure to AVOID?
    It will help me when I start shopping.

    Mad
     
  12. Oct 16, 2019
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
    Joined:
    Apr 28, 2011
    Messages:
    5,407
    Flux core welders - don't waste your money
     
    dozerjim and ITLKSEZ like this.
  13. Oct 16, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    +1

    A welder is one of those “go big or go home” things.
    Either find a cheap tombstone Lincoln and learn to stick weld (nothing wrong with that), or go full MIG from a reputable company. Anywhere in between, like Twin2 said, is a waste of money.
     
    dozerjim and 47v6 like this.
  14. Oct 16, 2019
    jeep2003

    jeep2003 Well-Known Member

    Upstate NY
    Joined:
    May 30, 2006
    Messages:
    1,918
    Iv been using a lincoln 100 mig for 20 years and its been great. A few diodes recently went bad but I fixed it. I run straight co2 because its cheaper than mixed gas. No problem. It would be nice to have a bigger unit for some jobs but itll certainly do anything i need jeep related.
     
    Hellion likes this.
  15. Oct 16, 2019
    FinoCJ

    FinoCJ 1970 CJ5 Staff Member

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Jul 18, 2013
    Messages:
    5,593
    I bought my first welder for jeep work 5 years ago and have been learning with it ever since. I went with a small Lincoln 110V MIG that is both flux core and gas compatible and it works really well, but after a number of years I wish i went with the slightly bigger one. A Lincoln 140 would be a good starting choice - I think I got mine through Lowes on a discount from my credit card rewards. Auto darkening helmet is must as well for us noobs. And then don't skip on the grinder - you are going to do a lot of grinding and and use a lot of cut-off discs so get a good one that can take a lot of use. Actually, you might get two - one that has the grinding disc and one for the cut-off wheel, so you are not constantly swapping them.
     
  16. Oct 16, 2019
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2015
    Messages:
    6,656
    47v6 likes this.
  17. Oct 16, 2019
    jeeper50

    jeeper50 jeeps 'till I die

    Spanish Fort. AL
    Joined:
    Dec 20, 2007
    Messages:
    844
    Be sure to check out Esab welders, i used my son's to weld up my bumper kit for my Dodge 2500 I bought off epay. it was great sense material thickness and amperage needed and lets you just drive on welding. It's the brand Ian Johnson uses in his shop on the current fourwheeler tv show.
     
  18. Oct 17, 2019
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2002
    Messages:
    5,349
    I bought a Hobart 140 about 12 years ago from Tractor supply. It will pretty much weld anything on a Jeep that you need.
     
  19. Oct 17, 2019
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2015
    Messages:
    680
    HOBART 210 MPV is the one of the best mig welders IMO. You can weld on standard 110V or 240V.

    And if you want to save some money, get put on the list at Hobart for one of their reconnditioned units and get a nice discount. (That's what I did, I'm a cheap SOB but I also like quality) :D

    Reconditioned Welders & Plasma Cutters - Hobart Welding Products

    The picture below was the day I got it. Couldn't tell it wasn't brand spanking new.

    It will weld the thin stuff like 16 gauge sheet metal, all the way up thick frame steel with zero issues. I have yet to find anything this Hobart cannot tackle with ease.

    Best money ever spent. Buy once cry once (y)
     

    Attached Files:

    Last edited: Oct 18, 2019
  20. Oct 23, 2019
    aallison

    aallison 74 cj6, 76 cj5. Has anyone seen my screwdriver?

    Green Cove...
    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2006
    Messages:
    1,929
    I have a lincoln 140. Works OK. Wish I had a 220v welder. It works but on thicker stuff I have to make multiple passes.
     
New Posts