Welder advice needed

[Roushy]

New member here. Been working on cars & houses for the last 5 years. Pretty much anything I can rebuild.... I will. I currently have a 430 RWHP mustang but looking to possibly do a custom rollcage some some chassis work. The work will be structural so I need a be 100% the welds will hold against stress.

Now - I have heard stories about every type, model, brand of welder. My concern is that I would love to learn how to weld in storage shed in the back of my yard and then move the welder in the garage when I need to work on the car. Obviously I do not want to run 2 pairs of 2 pole 40 AMP circuits. What does everone recommend for an all around welder..... chassis fab, some exhaust and turbo work, suspection work, etc. Something that is easy on the pockets and movable if possible. Am i stuck with only the 220V models or will a 110V that uses gas work?

Any advice would be great. I plan on taking a course sometime this year but want to try it out before I dive in!

~ ROUSHY

[scherp69]

Welcome to the site. You'll find many very knowledgeable members here. I'm not one of the knowledgeable ones, but I have the Miler 180 and love it. I've never taken any welding classes and have only watched a few online videos to help learn. It's very easy to use. I've used it for body work, suspension and even built a rotisserie with it (and I went over board with the steel using 1/2" in some places). The 180 can be used in 220 or 110. Would highly recommend it.

[Roushy]

Thanks for the reply. I'll look in to that welder. What type of suspension work did you do? From the looks of your build post it looks like welding the shock tabs to the frame.

[ccracin]

Do a search in this section, you will find alot. Que Greg. He likes this subject! :yes: Good luck with whatever you choose. I have a 110 MIG from Lincoln. It has been great for 15 years. Would I like to have better/bigger, YES. Have I absolutely needed it, NO. If I am in over my head either skill wise or plate size, I get someone with the proper skill and equipment to do it. Good advice IMO. :cheers:

[scherp69]

Thanks for the reply. I'll look in to that welder. What type of suspension work did you do? From the looks of your build post it looks like welding the shock tabs to the frame.

Not a bunch of suspension work...most just welded on the shock tabs onto the rear housing and some welding on the sub frame. Most of what I've used it for is body work and the rotisserie.

[scherp69]

Do a search in this section, you will find alot. Que Greg. He likes this subject! :yes: Good luck with whatever you choose. I have a 110 MIG from Lincoln. It has been great for 15 years. Would I like to have better/bigger, YES. Have I absolutely needed it, NO. If I am in over my head either skill wise or plate size, I get someone with the proper skill and equipment to do it. Good advice IMO. :cheers:

x2 on asking Greg....goes by GregWeld

[Roushy]

I'll shoot him a note. Thanks!

[DAREDVL]

If you are looking for a versatile all around great welder that will fit your needs, and have portability - buy the Millermatic Passport Plus. I bought one for all the reasons above. Plus, you can switch to 115V or 220V. It's a great MIG welder with capabilities to attach a spool gun (weld stainless) if you so choose. There are tons of great products out there, but I think this is a great purchase. I'm using this welder to complete my project (full rotisserie build). I have no complaints. I'll probably buy a spot welder pretty soon to finish up the 1/4 panels and such...mainly because I want another welder so I can expand my welding skills. Either way, good luck with your choice!

[GregWeld]

A spool gun is used for ALUMINUM... not stainless. Stainless wire will run on the spool that your other wire runs on...

When I weld SS with a MIG - RARELY since I also have a TIG machine - but when I do - I use a special Tri mix Stainless gas (90% helium, 7.5% argon, and 2.5% carbon dioxide).

[JRouche]

A spool gun is used for ALUMINUM... not stainless. Stainless wire will run on the spool that your other wire runs on...

When I weld SS with a MIG - RARELY since I also have a TIG machine - but when I do - I use a special Tri mix Stainless gas (90% helium, 7.5% argon, and 2.5% carbon dioxide).

Hey Greg I have a Q. Sorry OP, not hyjacking, just a quicky. I have a few 25lb spools of 308 wire. I dont have a machine to use them with so I was gonna use the filler with TIG. I see you like helium with MIG welding SS wire. What do you think about me using the filler with my argon gas? I just hate having this much filler around and not being able to use it. I have a wire straightener project thats in the works to straighten the wire. Any thoughts? JR

[GregWeld]

Hey Greg I have a Q. Sorry OP, not hyjacking, just a quicky. I have a few 25lb spools of 308 wire. I dont have a machine to use them with so I was gonna use the filler with TIG. I see you like helium with MIG welding SS wire. What do you think about me using the filler with my argon gas? I just hate having this much filler around and not being able to use it. I have a wire straightener project thats in the works to straighten the wire. Any thoughts? JR

Well... I usually have an answer for everything...:D But it seems to me that it's a lot of wire to straighten... 25 lb spool is a LOT of feet of wire. If it was me - I'd find someone that wants to buy it from you and just go out and get yourself some fill. I have a 25 lb spool of SS wire - I figure should last me the rest of my life... I just do a lot more TIG of SS than MIG... but you have to have it in "inventory" for those times when that's what you need. I kind of think that way.... I'm a "better to have it and not need it - than need it and not have it" kinda guy.

Somebody on here would surely trade you for the spool or buy the spool from you... maybe one of the shops... or maybe google the welding shops around you and see if they'd trade out?

BTW -- I just suck on the Helium tank... :D

[JRouche]

Well... I usually have an answer for everything...:D But it seems to me that it's a lot of wire to straighten... 25 lb spool is a LOT of feet of wire. If it was me - I'd find someone that wants to buy it from you and just go out and get yourself some fill. I have a 25 lb spool of SS wire - I figure should last me the rest of my life... I just do a lot more TIG of SS than MIG... but you have to have it in "inventory" for those times when that's what you need. I kind of think that way.... I'm a "better to have it and not need it - than need it and not have it" kinda guy.

Somebody on here would surely trade you for the spool or buy the spool from you... maybe one of the shops... or maybe google the welding shops around you and see if they'd trade out?

BTW -- I just suck on the Helium tank... :D

Hahaa. Well, I got the stuff, three 25lb spools of it for a very good price at a swapmeet many years ago. I dont MIG weld with it. But I do TIG weld. So I made up all the parts for a wire straightener but have yet to assemble it. The idea was to have the spool mounted in a box with the straightener mounted to the box and just be able to strip off a two foot section of wire as needed. I was just trying to put the stuff to use. Here is a similar wire straightener, there are many variations to it. I was curious about the use of helium. Now I KNOW!! Ha.... JR

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v366/Jrouche/Steves%20Nova/wire.jpg

[GregWeld]

JR --

With 75 lbs of 308 -- you could go into the business of being a SUPPLIER! Can't even think about how many 2' sections that will make... but it's got to be a lifetime of SS TIG welding! WOW! Good thing the stuff doesn't rust.

Like the straightener! :thumbsup:

[OOCustoms]

well back to the subject of mig welders haha,
I have a Miller 210 mig welder and it welds everything from sheet metal to heavy steel. I would recommend you stick to a 220 machine for the fact that when you need the power its there. When i weld i usually weld pretty hot so this machine works great for that. Plus it handles large spools so you never run out and it is designed to roll around with a large tank so its very mobile. Thats my two scents!

Marc

[Scott Hightower]

Back to the question of selecting a welder. MIG is the way to go for versatility and ease of use for a beginner. Both Lincoln, Miller, and Hobart offer great little machines that operate on 120 volt so you won't need to run any new power to your shop. These will have enough power to weld your roll cage with no problem.
-Hobart Handler 125
-Miller 140
-Lincoln V160

Speaking of the cage here are a few tips:
-purchase DOM tubing, standard tubing will tear at the seam in a crash.
-.088 tubing x 1 3/4 dia is adequate for most applications / .125 x 2" is the max you need for some sanctioning bodies.
-fit is key, buy an inexpensive notcher or notch the tubing with a grinder.

Scott
Welders360.com

[av8or32]

I LOVE my Hobart Handler 140! :thumbsup:

[BigRatCamaro]

Hobart 185 and love it but going to buy a Lincoln 175 square wave tig next:D

[The WidowMaker]

another vote for a miller 210. i wish i had the 250 as the taps can get annoying, but it works great. i also picked up a dynasty 200 dx, but havent fired it up yet.

[GregWeld]

another vote for a miller 210. i wish i had the 250 as the taps can get annoying, but it works great. i also picked up a dynasty 200 dx, but havent fired it up yet.

Love my Dynasty 200DX -- nice machine and is capable of handling what the average hot rodder is going to do with it.

I don't like the "stock" torch that comes with it - too big and stiff - but that is a "technique and touchy feely" kind of item. I have hand and foot controls - seem to ALWAYS use the foot control...

[JETSET700]

I picked up a Miller 211 after much looking. As a novice welder I stayed with MIG. The 211 does 110V or 220V and covers most needs. Most houses have
15A breakers for the majority of circuits and a 110V will overload the breaker
on the higher settings. You can't just change to a larger breaker because the wire run through the house is to small of a gauge for 20A service.

I had a guy put in more 20A 110V for welder, tools, compressor and 50A 220
V for welder. It has a cool plug that does both voltages.

Peter

[Sti_Guy]

Just to keep this thread going, I'm also interested in a new welder, Miller Syncrowave 200. They are going for right around 2k or I found a 180SD for 1500, to me its a no brainier to go to the 200, or is it? I'm just a beginner TIG welder if anything just around the house use etc. Ive read a few posts saying the Dynasty is the way to go but added cost I'm having a hard time justifying.

[The WidowMaker]

if you have the space and the power, im not sure you could justify the cost as a newbie. for me, the size was the reason i spent the extra money on the dynasty. my cart with all my tig stuff, including all the rod holders and bottle is much smaller than just the syncro machine.

Tim

[Sti_Guy]

Id like to equip myself with a good unit something that i wont outgrow, I really like the part about the Dynasty using a lot less power, means i wont have to put in a sub panel maybe ill just save some more coin and hold out.