The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Welders

I'm about to buy a welder, just for odds and ends. Don't know much about welding, though I've gas welded. Lincoln has two basic ones, one with DC, what's the advantage? First job will be to weld a hitch plate on the frame of my '48 2t. dump.

I would think you need to arc weld something that heavy and important to your truck. I hope that's the kind of welder you're intending to buy. If not, a mig is only good for sheet metal, even though most say they can weld 1/4" plate. Just my 2 cents worth,
Scott

I bought a Century Gas MIG welder. Haven't tried it yet. The only thing I have heard is that if you plan on doing any patch panel work that it is best to use a sheilding gas rather than the self sheilding flux wire. I guess that it leaves behind contaminates that may mess up your paint later.

I think you are referring to the Lincoln AC 225 and the Lincoln AC/DC which is 225 amp AC and 125 DC. This is a very good little welder, although they have gotten quite expensive. I don't know how much welding you are going to do, or what your finances are, but the DC is a very good thing to have. You can run more rods with DC, and the arc stability is much better with 7018 on DC. If you don't have to run 7018 too much, and don't want to spend too much, go with AC.

You could also look into a used Lincoln Idealarc, although it would cost quite a bit more than the new AC/DC machine but it is a very good welder. Just depends on what you want to do and how much you want to spend.

One thing about it, stick with Lincoln or Miller. There are cheaper welders out there but from my experience they are cheaper for a reason.

I would also buy good quality rods. Lincoln rods are the top of the line, and aren't all that much more money. A good rod makes welding much easier.

For most general odds and ends welding the AC225 will do you fine with 6011 rod.

Of course if you can afford it, spring for a MIG. You can weld heavier metal with a 220V MIG using flux core wire and no gas. For sheet metal, use gas and no-flux wire.

Pete, I have a Lincoln AC/DC I use for all my heavier welding. It's a good machine, the DC mode gives me smoother welds, nice flow and more versatility.

With the proper size Mig and gas shield, you can weld almost anything. We just rebuilt the back of a specialized truck with a Mig. That was after we cut it apart with a plasma cutter. A lot of 1/2", 1/4" and 1/8" plate. I'm using a Mig to do my frame work on my 'burb. Our shop is full of old stick welders the size of a Yugo and about all they do these days is gather dust! http://www.bunchobikes.com/my1929chevy7.jpg The machine I use is in the background on the left. The one on the right has an aluminum spool and is set up for welding aluminum.

If you use a small machine, don't expect to do heavy work! Don't expect to find a decent machine at the big box stores or HF. Go to a dealer that sells Miller or Lincoln directly. With that big ol' Lincoln that I use, I can do heavy stuff or set it for sheat metal.

Err...the big-box hardware stores (at least around here) carry Lincolns, and the farm stores have Clarkes. I love my 110v wire-feed Clarke.

Pete/ME,

Lots of great info. Is there a community college that has a welding program near you? You could learn the good habits first, and get to use a variety of different machines.

If you can learn some theory, and get some guidance from a good teacher, it gives you somewhere to start. Good luck and don't burn yourself.


Stuart

Yup, Lincoln and Miller ( and whoever else ) have those little 110v migs. Great for sheet metal. But if you plan on frame work or hitches or whatever thicker steel work, those little machines won't cut it. The Miller 220 is a nice all around machine, but you won't find it at a big box store. It's best to find a local welding supply for a decent machine. Just like you can find Delta table saws all day long at a big box store. But you won't find too many Unisaws for sale there.

Thanks all for the good adv., guess I'll go with the Linc. AC/DC and check out the local C.C.. BTW, Crabby, remind me where your handle's from. Kukla, Fran & Ollie, Rocky and Bullwinkle or maybe RootieKazooti?...getting old is a trip.

Actually it is from the old Tom Terrific cartoon. Something about that character always tickled me.

I think you will be very happy with the Lincoln. I believe it is the best in its class.

I bought a Miller MIG-175 because the wire feed mechanism is more foolproof that the Lincoln. I have done 3/16" stuff and it works fine, also can be turned down to do sheet metal. A worthy addition to the home builders' shop.

SECOND THE C.C. WELDING SCHOOL. i WELDED FOR 20 YEARS AND THEN TOOK 4 CLASSES. FUN AND VERY INFORMATIONAL.

MIG welders come in all sizes.I used to weld up 2 and 3 inch thick stuff with the larger ones.The MIGs you are talking about for body work are the small hobby welders.The only welder I have now is a Miller 230 amp AC.It is very good for most of the stuff I do around the shop.That or the Lincoln 225 will do a good job as long as you dont get into vertiucal up or overhead welding.

MIG welders come in all sizes.I used to weld up 2 and 3 inch thick stuff with the larger ones.The MIGs you are talking about for body work are the small hobby welders.The only welder I have now is a Miller 230 amp AC.It is very good for most of the stuff I do around the shop.That or the Lincoln 225 will do a good job as long as you dont get into vertiucal up or overhead welding.

I suggest you got to a welding supply store and check into the prices of everything you want for what you need to do or want to do in the future. Once you know the specs of what you want, ie 220v 300 amp mig (a big welder), programmable for stich welding etc... or 110v 60 amp for hobby welding, or perhaps 220 90amp dual purpose mig (flux & gas)...

I've found some great deals on welders on governmentauction.com. Its a website where the military sells off old equiptment- everything from washing machines, high dollar movie cameras, medical equipment, clothing, tv's, trucks, welders, metalworking equipment...

I've also seen some decent deals on E-bay, just keep an eye on the shipping.

Before you start welding spend afternoon thumbing through Finch's "Welder's Handbook" or something like it- If your library doesn't have it Amazon does.

I'm planning on getting a 220v wire-feed/MIG for heavier work, but it's nice having a machine that has a natural operating range that's right for sheet-metal work. My Clarke has four different power settings, and it can burn through 16ga. sheet steel on the second-lowest setting if you're not careful. You can also always run multiple weld passes (which my welding book recommends even with 220v machines for heavy material).

The big-box hardware stores and farm stores around here do carry 220v welders, both stick and wire-feed. Obviously you can get even fancier stuff at a dedicated welding supply store.

For what its worth, I have a century 125 gl 'home' 110v rig. 4 heat settings, variable wire speed, no gas tank.

Follow my links, I have welded together a big flatbed (also in the build a bed section) and welded together all kinds of stuff with it. Its also welded in my shock mounts, on both frame and rear axle, and my engine mounts for my 292.

My flatbed has carried 3000+ lbs of scrap on a few occasions, a ton of car parts, and last week I pulled a car up from Athens Texas with it.

So If you do a good (or even ok/adequate) job welding, the little welders will do the job. I have also welded together a drill pipe fence and other things as well.

If you all are having problems with sheet metal, get a copper welding spoon, or make one and back it against the sheet metal. It will pull the heat away and you won't get burn throughs. You can even seal small holes with it by doing a spiral weld backing on the copper because the weld wire won't stick to copper. Believe me, with the 47 jeep in my link, I learned how to do that quite well.

The link I mentioned for government auctions should have been:

govliquidation.com

Thanks for the tip on the copper welding spoon- I've used an punch but that sounds like it'll work better for filling the holes I used to pull panels out, and maybe the pin sized rust holes too.

Thanks here too! I've been lurking in here watching for info like this. I too, have never welded, or done any real body work. I tried to find a local CC for training, but they said sorry, kids only. What does a feller do if he doesn't go straight from high school? :confused: They couldn't even refer me to any other place. Guess I'll learn like everything else. School of hard knocks, or burns in this case.

ductape,

Lurking is fun....it sounds like there could be some confusion about who can attend classes at a community college. In my neck of the woods, anyone in the "community", regardless of age can enroll in the "community college". If that truly doesn't pan out, maybe a night welding class for adults at the local high school.

Learning to weld isn't rocket science, and it can easily be self taught...the problem is that you can be doing things wrong and won't know it.

The hardest way to learn that the slag running right down the middle of your bead is not good is when your home built trailer and your hitch part company on the interstate at 60 MPH.

Stuart

I learned to weld using three simple moves: First, I went to a welding supply shop and asked the guy there to explain it to me. In 15 minutes he told me everything I needed to know to get started: With a mig welder, adjust the amperage (heat) depending on what you are welding- thicker=higher, adjust the wirespeed the same way-thicker slower, thinner-faster. Pull some wire out of the tip of the welder, cut it off so you've got about 1/2 to 3/8" of an inch, put the end of the wire where you want to weld, pull the trigger and start moving the tip along the weld- If it sounds like frying eggs or water sizzling in hot iron pan, you're doin' good!

After hearing that I got a book on welding, flipped through it a few times and picked up some scrap metal pieces and burned through a spool of wire practicing.

I have no doubt that I need to learn lots more about it and one day I will take some classes. Meanwhile, I feel comfortable doing the small welding jobs I need to do, including patch panels. A trailer hitch I might cut, spot weld and then take somewhere to be finished.

Hey atomarc! I wish that were true here. There's been a shake up around here in all the local school systems. Seems unless you want to be a nurse or are into liberal arts (whatever that is) it's not available. Good news is I bought a brand new 12,000 lbs 4 post lift at auction for $1600. The bad news is, no vocational stuff around anymore. Thanks to NM51 for the brief welding class. It might be all I get! I am gonna try the "welder store" idea. Sounds the best advice.

Pete!! This has nothing to do with welders, but welcome to the Stovebolt Page, neighbor! My mom (Grandma Stovebolt) lives in Gardiner and the rest of the family in Damariscotta -- so I guess we have you surrounded!

Except for me -- I'm now "from away."

Oh, and I went the stick welder route with a portable unit from Hobart (it's a generator, too -- really handy). The welding store is excellent advice -- mine is just a couple of miles up the road and the guys there are great! I highly recommend finding one and just walking in one day and saying "I don't know anything about welding, but I'd like to get a welder and learn." I did, and the next couple of hours were fun. They've been trying to get me back for Mig/Tig lessons, but I know if I do that, they're gonna sell me another welder... You don't think that's their plan do ya????


John

Crabby, What happened to Mighty Manfred the Wonder Dog? Weeds

Ha! I'll guess you'll have to ask Tom about that, I haven't seen him for years.