The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest What kind of welder for a newbie

I'm sure this has been asked a thousand times but here goes: I've never welded before but its getting to the point where I want to do my own and get a little more creative. Whats the best type of welder to get for a beginner? I'm not looking to do anything too heavy, just body sheet metal and maybe some pipe or angle iron.

Mig, Tig, Stick, Wirefeed? My garage only has 110 volt receptacles but, if I absolutely must, I could run 220 out there. Anyone have any "good" advice?

Thanks - Carmental

I'm like you, I've never welded anything before. I found a used MIG welder for pretty cheap. If you can wait for a good deal to come along, it eventually will. Just today I saw a MIG/TIG Lincoln welder that was only used twice. Asking price was $300 for a welder that usually sells closer to $550.

I like my welder. Its a Clarke 130 MIG and uses 115 household current. I do not plan to do any frame welding because I am new at welding AND my truck frame is solid and won't need it.

Folks on here like the Hobart 140, Miller and Lincoln models a lot. I'd stay away from the welders from Harbor Freight mostly because they are not gonna be as versatile.

Let us know what you finally get.

Totally satisfied with my Miller 140. Has the power to weld larger stuff (1/4 or 3/8) but powers down to butt weld 18 gage. Strongly advise welding with gas Much better results in my experience.
It's nice to run on 110. I can put it out in the middle of my back yard and weld and grind stuff all day with out making a disaster of my garage.

Dave Evans
52_3100

I bought a Hobart handler 180, and I love it. It is 220 volt, and can handle upto 1/2 inch. I think that might be pushing the upper limits, but it can throttle down to work with light gauge sheetmetal. However if you have to use a dropcord to get it out to your truck(as I have to) it can have an impact on the welders performance. Plus copper wire that heavy can get expensive quick.
So if you can get any work close to the welder I would suggest 220 volt, other wise get a 120 volt machine that is easy to move around and easy to supply power to. In other threads it is suggested you buy a welder that would run $1500 to $5000. Would I like to have one of those? you bet!! They have features and controls you can't get on less expensive models. So decide the most use you would have for a welder, add 15% (you never know)and buy according to your needs and budget.

So going MIG, would you recommend a flux-core wire (FCAW) or a gas shield (GMAW)? Flux core sounds easier with fewer things to think about, but gas sheild sounds like it might be more flexible long-term. Thoughts?

Bruce

MIG is the easiest I think defiantly go with gas over flux core, for thin stuff flux core won't do. Gas with .023 wire for most body repairs.
If you can deal with the size and weight a 180 amp gives you a better range of material thickness.
If portability is a factor then a 120 or 130 that will work off 110 outlet is the way to go.

Start with a flux core machine that you can add gas to later on. Get a brand name machine so parts availability won't be an issue. Practice with the flux core until you get good. If it looks like you want to keep welding, you really enjoy welding, set up your machine with gas. Keep in mind that, with flux core the welds might not look so pretty until you knock off the slag. Similar to stick welding.

Leave it to the two guys from California to disagree. I think I'll go with the MIG and flux-core to start out with, since gas isn't that cheap. I'll do some heavy stuff and if I get the knack of it I'll switch to gas and see how that goes. Thanks for all of the great advice folks, if you hear some hollerin' coming from the midwest, I probably welded myself to the bumper.

Bruce

Someone mentioned welding outside in his yard and that he like gas. Using gas outside is not practical at all. Gas is expensive and the air currents will blow the shielding gas away. It is why most of the portable rigs are DC stick welders. It can be done but not really practical. Buying a welder is not a great idea until AFTER you've learned to weld..then you know what you prefer and will do what you wish to do. Too much money to just throw up in the air and see where it goes.
There are lots of good community colleges and even some HS that offer evening classes for adult education.

My mistake; I should have said to use gas "weather permitting". Of course, you should switch to flux core when it's windy.

Dave Evans
52_3100

There isn't one welder that will do everything. Thats why I have about a dozen welders at my shop. But for around the house, I have a Hobart 140. I use gas all the time. Straight CO2 is fine for thicker metal, but Argon 75 CO2 25 mix does a better job on thin stuff. If I weld outside, I put up a piece of tin or something for a windbreak. I use .025 wire on about anything I weld on my old jalopies.