How much welder do I need?

[David Pozzi]

It doesn't take much of a machine to do body welding. But once you have a welder and learn how to use it, there will be other projects you can do if you have enough power. Maybe you want to make a welding table, engine stand, build an engine dolly or body jig. Maybe you want to modify or repair one of the above.

Something around 175 would be a really good size. If you just don't have the money to invest, that's one thing, but if you think you will ever want to weld heavier metal, get a bigger one to start with.

BTW, there are tricks to get by with a smaller welder in an emergency, pre-heat the parts to be welded with a torch, then weld it without stopping or stop only a short time. I welded heavily chamfered 1" thick X 3" wide steel ripper shanks together with a Miller 135 amp mig and the welds held! It took pre-heat and non-stop welding to do it. this welder also had a terriffic duty cycle so I didn't have to stop and let it cool or have it shut-down automatically in mid-weld.



True, If you bought a little larger machine, and wanted something structural welded on your car, you could get someone with more welding experience to stop by and weld it for you right there.