The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest I'd like to buy a welder.

I can solder, and I can braze. Been doing it for 40 years. But I have never learned to weld. Now I would like to fix up the body on my '51 1/2 T burb. What would be my best choice for a welder? I need to fit in numerous patch panels.

Thanks,

Kurt

if you have a harbor freight store i would just go with a cheap 110 mig you don't have to worry bout gas the wire that goes with that is fluxcore, now if you have deep pockets you can go to a mig 220 setup with gas bottles ect, my little 110 has filled all my needs and only ran me 125 for the setup, you go with a name brand your going to pay 400 minimum

^X2

If you can braze,another option is a tig settup, otherwise known as gas tungsten arc welding.It is similar to brazing but you have electricity as your heat source and you melt the two pieces of metal together adding filler wire by hand as it's needed.I like the tig better than the mig because there is less grinding after your done.

Would the tig setup be appropriate for welding in patch panel or other sheet metal repair?

Kurt

Absolutely! no better method in my mind.
And as mentioned if you can braze or gas weld picking up TIG is not hard at all.

Ive got a Miller Dynasty 200DX and it's a fine machine, I highly recommend it. Can weld aluminum if you want and it will also Stick weld beautifully.

Grigg

My advice, having several different welding machines, I would look at buying a 110v MIG unit that can run gas. If you are just doing sheet metal work, you can buy a 110v MIG fairly cheap, along with a regulator and an argon mix tank. Flux MIG wire is good in a pinch, but also gives you lots of spatter and can leave some flux in the weld. I have one, and use it only when I have to.

TIG is wonderful, but is an expensive machine to purchase, still have to buy a bottle for gas. I have a tig unit that uses an stick welding machine for power. I have to say, I have a Miller 135, and find that it is my go to machine for most welding applications in the shop. Unless it is heavy steel welding, its small, portable, and easy. I do wish that I can justify buying a Miller 212 or 252, but haven't had a job come in yet that the 135 can't handle.

If you have a good DC Welder you can do tig welding with it just reverse the polarity and add a bottle of Argon. when Tig welding the machine will have a duty cycle just do not exceed the duty cycle and you will be fine. You will not be able to weld Aluminum as this needs to have a high Freq. unit with it to weld the Aluminum.
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Don