Newbie welding

[Rooster336]

Well, I can’t put it off anymore...it’s time to get into sheet metal work.
I’ve got the floor pans and tailgate posts and now I need the tool and the skill.
I’m looking to pull the trigger on a MIG welder and I’m looking at models where all I need to do is select the metal thickeness, anything wrong with this approach?

Suggestions on what machine to invest in are appreciated. This will only be used for truck sheetmetal.

Thanks.

 

[Westislander]

The Eastwood 135a 110v machine is a great buy https://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html on sale it is usually $289.... do your self a favor and get a true mig, those flux core only machines suck

 

[eskimomann209]

I like the tweco lines
I have the 181i
I think the 141 is a good one it’s 110 or 220v
They’re 3 process so you can mig tig or stick weld

 

[climb-101]

i would check craigslist and try to find a miller or lincoln for a good deal

 

[Wumbo]

My little Lincoln Handy Mig has been a great machine.

 

[shiftpro]

People are unloading machines all the time. Be patient and you will get a deal. Spend a little more and get a real machine. I know you think you
will only use it for sheet metal... but down the road things will change. If your machine can weld more than sheet metal, you WILL weld more than sheet metal.
There's ton's of good info online about welding skills.
https://www.youtube.com/user/aaronmlarsen/videos
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcxlBLmujrjTVSSUkzZ2Jlg/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/Welddotcom/videos
https://www.youtube.com/user/schneetiger77/videos

 

[theblindchicken]

I've got a Lincoln SP140 at home that I've mainly used for 16ga sheet and .06" wall tubing. I wanted the 180C for the ease of working with thicker material (as well as having a continuous amperage setting versus a tapped one like most at the hardware stores), but the changes needed to be done at home to accommodate the welder (needed a 30a 220v independent circuit) was a bit too much at the time to swing.

I also use the Lincoln 125 at work to repair and extend the lifespan of our kart chassis' (~1-1.5"x.06" HREW). Both currently do what I need them to do. One day will need a larger machine if I find the need to start working on thicker materials (3/16"-1/4").

 

[Rooster336]

Thanks for all the feedback. I’ve started looking at used machines to get a higher quality as suggested yet stay on budget. I am hesitant as I don’t know what to watch out for as far as issues they may have.

Are there any red flags I need to watch out for?

 

[shiftpro]

The Eastwood 135a 110v machine is a great buy https://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html on sale it is usually $289.... do your self a favor and get a true mig, those flux core only machines suck

Eastwood makes awesome machines, not everything imported is junk. Great advice recommending this.

But I don't agree fully that flux core machines are bad... if they are a decent 220 machine and you reverse the polarity they work fine and there is a place for these machines. Try mig welding with gas outdoors sometime... any wind (a fart even) will blow away the gaseous shield and you wanna see splatter?

 

[eskimomann209]

Well when I sell these machines
I weld to demonstrate
I usually bring a few thicknesses of steel and explain how I chose my speed, feed speed and temps. Unless they can weld as good or better than myself.
Then I drop it off shake a hand collect some money and leave lol

 

[Timbo]

Get a small miller wire feed a small bottle of 75/25. Also use some .030 hard wire

 

[Timbo]

If it’s spattering really bad turn your wire speed down if your blowing through reduce your volts and adjust your wire speed so you have a nice smooth buzz look up YouTube videos of how to adjust a mug welder