Welders and welding tools...

[roguegeek]

There's a couple pieces of body work needing to be done. One is closing holes in the firewall. Another is installing an access panel for my fuel pump. A couple other misc things here and there. Some of these things I anticipated at the beginning of the project and, therefore, didn't have done when the car was at the body shop for body and paint. I could always just send it back, but I think this is a good opportunity for me to learn how to do some basic welding. I've watched countless YT videos in the last week and feel like I have enough of an understanding to point me in the right direction. Now I need to start acquiring some tools and add the skillset.

MIG welding seems like the right place to start due to the application I'm looking at (mostly sheet metal) and ease of use. I'm guessing a decent MIG welder that's capable of also doing aluminum is going to get me pretty far. Should I go for one of those multi-process welders that will let me play with all different types of welding or is it better to get a dedicated MIG welder? I like the idea of playing with it all. I'm also looking for recommendations on all the tools and accessories needed as well. Protective gear, tanks, etc...

My quote for my next round of body work was around $1800, so if I can take that money and put it into reliable equipment that I can learn and has room for me to grow into, I'll consider that a win. My garage is currently running on 110. I will be putting in 220, but it's not happening until my garage organization project starts after this car is done, so it would be nice to find a welder that capable of 110 and 220.



Any feedback is very much welcomed. Thanks!

[dhutton]

A dedicated MIG is what I recommend. Miller 211 is a great welder and it’s dual 110/220 volt capable.

A Miller 141 is another option for sheet metal.

You can shop for price on eBay.

Don

[roguegeek]

A dedicated MIG is what I recommend. Miller 211 is a great welder and it’s dual 110/220 volt capable.

A Miller 141 is another option for sheet metal.

You can shop for price on eBay.

Don

The 211 was the one I was eyeballing. For my own information, why a dedicated unit over a multi-process one? The dedicated units are so much more expensive than a multi-process unit. There's gotta be a compromise you're making with them then.

[joeko23]

I first got the harbor freight flux core welder to learn how to weld and weld up some holes and patch panels etc. it then broke after about a year of VERY light use. I recently purchased the Hobart 500559, it’s 5 times the price of the harbor freight lol, but it’s 100 times better. My welds are way more consistent, it also has much more adjustability so I can weld thin metal and thick metal. By the way, I only use the flux core wire with no gas and it runs on 110v. I bought a harbor freight face shield, good mig gloves online and I also bought the large 10lb harbor freight flux core wire/spool. That’s ALL you need to start welding.

The great thing about this welder is that you can use regular wire (not flux core) with gas and weld like a pro. You can also weld aluminum with this welder. It’s really a great welder and very versatile. The only thing it lacks is really the 220v, but I think you need that power if your welding really thick metal. I think this on 110v welds up to 1/4”, which is much thicker than anything your going to weld on a car.

Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X43F38...ing=UTF8&psc=1

[roguegeek]

I first got the harbor freight flux core welder to learn how to weld and weld up some holes and patch panels etc. it then broke after about a year of VERY light use. I recently purchased the Hobart 500559, it’s 5 times the price of the harbor freight lol, but it’s 100 times better. My welds are way more consistent, it also has much more adjustability so I can weld thin metal and thick metal. By the way, I only use the flux core wire with no gas and it runs on 110v. I bought a harbor freight face shield, good mig gloves online and I also bought the large 10lb harbor freight flux core wire/spool. That’s ALL you need to start welding.

The great thing about this welder is that you can use regular wire (not flux core) with gas and weld like a pro. You can also weld aluminum with this welder. It’s really a great welder and very versatile. The only thing it lacks is really the 220v, but I think you need that power if your welding really thick metal. I think this on 110v welds up to 1/4”, which is much thicker than anything your going to weld on a car.

Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder 115V https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009X43F38...ing=UTF8&psc=1

This is great. I was looking at the Handler 210MVP as well, which is just a 110/220 version of the 140. It's nice to see I'm looking at the right stuff. Yeah, I'm not interested in a HB unit. Nothing against them at all. I use a ton of stuff from there. I'm just more interested in grabbing a MIG welder that I can keep around for a decade or two. I've been looking for more comparison of the Hobart against the Miller.

[Tsaints1115]

Hobart is a Miller brand.

[roguegeek]

Hobart is a Miller brand.

I did not know that. I'm guessing the brands are geared towards different levels of the industry or there's a different in features/build quality?

[dhutton]

I did not know that. I'm guessing the brands are geared towards different levels of the industry or there's a different in features/build quality?

Miller is the high end product line. Both are decent products, Miller is just higher quality.

Don

[Tsaints1115]

I have the Multimatic 220 and it will do everything but butter your toast. It's not cheap until you add up the price of individual machines that can do all the same jobs and then it's a bargain.

[roguegeek]

I have the Multimatic 220 and it will do everything but butter your toast. It's not cheap until you add up the price of individual machines that can do all the same jobs and then it's a bargain.

Yeah. It seems if I were to do a Miller multi-process welder, the 220 is the one that makes the most sense, but that initial cost is a killer. So I think it's buy once, cry once with the 220 or just go grab a 211 and expand later as I see fit.

[FlyDoc]

A good welding helmet will make night and day difference. I had an older miller hobby helmet, my son get me a very nice Lincoln helmet with a big window. Spend the $$ for it you will be able to see what you are doing!!!

[roguegeek]

A good welding helmet will make night and day difference. I had an older miller hobby helmet, my son get me a very nice Lincoln helmet with a big window. Spend the $$ for it you will be able to see what you are doing!!!

Miller is doing a deal where they're giving away their Classic VSi helmet right now with purchase. I was just going to run with that to see how everything felt. Should be good enough, right?

[dhutton]

Miller is doing a deal where they're giving away their Classic VSi helmet right now with purchase. I was just going to run with that to see how everything felt. Should be good enough, right?

It depends on how good your night vision is imho. Mine sucks and I use a bright light to help me see.

Don

[FlyDoc]

It may work for a while.
Just remember you get what you pay for. It’s free for a reason, its the near the bottom of the line.
I would suggest start with it, and if you are having troubles seeing the weld then upgrade to a better helmet. I think my son spent about $400. On the one he got me. I’m a cheap blaster also! But they say, its cheaper to Cry once, then to cry twice! Meaning that its cheaper to buy a quality tool once, than to buy a cheep one only to have it brake and have to replace it.

[Tsaints1115]

I have the Lincoln 3350 and like it very much. It has the largest viewing screen and lots of adjustability. They've gotten about $75 cheaper than when I bought mine.

https://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Elect...8843772&sr=8-2

[roguegeek]

Couple more questions...

Some of the professional fabricators I spoke with this weekend said they don't use anything but gloves, a mask, and a long sleeve shirt. In terms of hands and body protection, what do you guys suggest?

I'm also heading over to Airgas today to pick up my tank. In terms of consumables for MIG welding (and assuming I'm grabbing a Miller 211, 215, or 220), what else should I be grabbing?

Have I forgotten anything?

[dhutton]

Extra tips and nozzle. Nozzle gel comes in handy too.

I learned the hard way to wear my Miller welding jacket when welding overhead...

Don

[roguegeek]

Pulled the trigger on the Miller Multimatic 220. Buy one, cry one... right? Weldersuply.com offered it with no tax, free shipping, and a free Miller Digital Performance helmet. Was at Airgas this morning to pick up my tank as well. Now I just need to grab some protection and consumables and I'm ready to roll.

Edit: 4-6 week lead time, so I canceled it and ordered from a local shop that would have it in by the end of the week. Apparently all Miller products are having problems getting out. All that means is I have to find a helmet as well now.

[Tsaints1115]

Most welding gloves are just calf skin. Instead of spend $30 on name brand I just buy calf skin work gloves from a box store for $10. Can't see a difference and when they get boogered just pitch them and get another and still be ahead. If it's gonna be in a high temp area buy a pair of insulated ones. I would suggest getting a Tig Finger, they're handy.
Don't forget a pair of welding pliers and some welding clamps. These welding magnets are handy also:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[roguegeek]

Most welding gloves are just calf skin. Instead of spend $30 on name brand I just buy calf skin work gloves from a box store for $10. Can't see a difference and when they get boogered just pitch them and get another and still be ahead. If it's gonna be in a high temp area buy a pair of insulated ones.

Yeah, all of the calf skin gloves look generally the same. I grabbed a couple different ones to see what will work best for me. One was insulated. All were cheap.

I would suggest getting a Tig Finger, they're handy.
Don't forget a pair of welding pliers and some welding clamps. These welding magnets are handy also:

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Thanks. I'll go grab what I'm missing. I'm going to hold off on anything TIG-specific for now until I'm ready to dip my feet into that.