Recommend me a welder

Dairy King · Dec 7, 2009

I need one that can do the normal body work sheet metal type deal but also as thick as you would need for anything else on a car. And of course as cheap and reliable as I can get. Thank you :icon_salut: :headbang:

CC'S95GT · Dec 7, 2009

the top 3 brands are Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart. A 115vac welder will be good enough for home use, but you don't want to run it at 100% either or it won't last long.
I would recomend a 130-140 amp gas and no gas welder but it's going to cost you about $500 new.
CL would be a good place to look for a use one.
You can go lower on the amperage if all your going to use it for is sheet metal. But the next thing ya know your welding the lawn mower, then your putting step rails on your buddies 4x4, subframe connectors, full frame cars. It just never ends.
Get something that can grow as your skills grow. just my .02

NXcoupe · Dec 7, 2009

+2. I have a snap on welder, was very expensive in it's day, they still sell it actually, uses argon/co2 mix, welds from low amp, sheet metal up to some 1/4" plate. Uses .023 wire and I usually keep .030 in it for most of my work which is welding subframes on and making small projects out of steel. It's 110. If I had to do it over, I would get a 220 Miller of some sort. That's what's going to happen in 2010, I'm getting a different one and a tig too. Just like having good equipment at my disposal.

Petek · Dec 7, 2009

if you get a 110 mig, get a gas kit, and use blueshield gas, or another mix of argon/c02. dont use flex core on your car, as all of your welds will look like ass, assuming your an ok welder.

BOS-94-003 · Dec 7, 2009

Miller 180 with autoset. Not sure what your price range is but mine set-up was 1500. You can shave some coin off by going with a cheaper helmet and renting the tank though. But that will give you an out the door price range. Gloves, Helmet, tank, miller 180, tips, and a couple magnets.

Petek · Dec 7, 2009

Yah, dont fool yourself into thinking you need a fancy helmet, or nice welding gloves. a cheap helmet, and cotton gloves with leather faces are perfect. if you get into tig welding, than you will want to nice thin full leather gloves.

BOS-94-003 · Dec 7, 2009

The fancy helmets do have some nice options but are not required though. I am very pleased with mine.

Petek · Dec 7, 2009

BOS-94-003 said:
The fancy helmets do have some nice options but are not required though. I am very pleased with mine.

Oh dont get me wrong i used to have a nice helmet but i sold it when i quit my job as a custom fabricator, now i have my oldschool one that ive had for years lol. but either way it works just fine. auto-tint, and auto shade adjustments are sweet though.