Welders

TJSport01 · 01-13-2008, 08:22 PM

i am looking to buy a welder and i read the thread up top about looking to buy a welder. It still doesnt make sense, i thought i wanted a wire fed welder but it seems like everyone else says to get a stick welder, also i dont understand A/C and D/C or the flux core or gas debate. i will be welding bumpers and armour and other things i can fabricate maybe even a rollcage. nothing to extreme, what do i need im pritty confused any help is much apreciated

**mean90yj** · 01-13-2008, 08:39 PM

a MIG welder is the easiest to learn on if you have never welded. it does have its limits though as to how thick it can penetrate, stick welding and TIG welding, if done right, can create a stronger weld that penetrates deeper into the steel if you are welding thicker plate or tubing. a 220V MIG welder would probably do you very nicely.

TJSport01 · 01-13-2008, 08:44 PM

ok thanks for the info im not really familiar with a mig welder but i know there are mig and tig is a wire fed one of those or different

**rustywrangler** · 01-13-2008, 10:20 PM

MIG is wire feed. Check this link out: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/mig/

PBR · 01-14-2008, 07:40 AM

Mig welding is a very nice process, but your going to spend atleast 2000 for a really nice 220v machine that can weld 1/2". with a stick which can eaisly weld 1/2 with a 220v machine for like 600.

**Jerry Bransford** · 01-14-2008, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDTJ35

Mig welding is a very nice process, but your going to spend atleast 2000 for a really nice 220v machine that can weld 1/2". with a stick which can eaisly weld 1/2 with a 220v machine for like 600.

He didn't ask about welding 1/2", which there is no need for anything even close to that heavy that would be Jeep related. You can buy a nice used 220v MIG welder for $600 (new for $700 like from Hobart) that will easily weld 1/4" which is as thick as is needed for Jeep work. And 1/4" isn't even needed that much, 3/16" is more common for Jeeps.

**rustywrangler** · 01-14-2008, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDTJ35

Mig welding is a very nice process, but your going to spend atleast 2000 for a really nice 220v machine that can weld 1/2". with a stick which can eaisly weld 1/2 with a 220v machine for like 600.

WOW!! What jeep are you working on??? FYI, my MM180($800 with tank of gas) will do 1/2". It may take 5 passes but she will do it.

Even stick would still take at least 3 passes to weld 1/2" plate, 6 if you were actually getting tested on it.

TJSport01 · 01-14-2008, 05:38 PM

thanks thats great what about the a/c d/c do i need both

TJWH · 01-26-2008, 12:32 AM

I am also new to welding, in fact I just bought a Lincoln a/c 225 stick today for $100. From what I understand, the a/c d/c gives you the best of both worlds, but isnt necessary for some applications. I would check out craigslist. I found several good deals on there. There are some good sites out there with tons of info, and you might want to look around for some local classes. Good Luck!

Zlake · 01-26-2008, 09:17 AM

I'm in the market for welders too. Just wish that the Clark welders weren't pieces of crap cause they are really cheap......but I guess like everything else....you get what you pay for.

Zlake · 01-26-2008, 09:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Bransford

He didn't ask about welding 1/2", which there is no need for anything even close to that heavy that would be Jeep related. You can buy a nice used 220v MIG welder for $600 (new for $700 like from Hobart) that will easily weld 1/4" which is as thick as is needed for Jeep work. And 1/4" isn't even needed that much, 3/16" is more common for Jeeps.

Jerry you are talking about something like this Hobart Handler 187 right?

This is the one I was thinking pretty hard about a Hobart Stickmate A/C D/C LX235

I was pretty set on an a/c d/c Hobart stickmate last night......now I am unsure all over again......

kercher · 01-26-2008, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zlake

I'm in the market for welders too. Just wish that the Clark welders weren't pieces of crap cause they are really cheap......but I guess like everything else....you get what you pay for.

why do you say this? What Clarke welder did you own and what was the issue with it? Everyone I spoke to had nothing but good things to say about them.

Zlake · 01-26-2008, 10:28 AM

Just heard lots of bad stories about them from various people is all. Please correct me though.

**USMCredneck** · 01-26-2008, 10:51 AM

Ive had both a Clarke stick and mig welder. They both worked really well for me. For small jobs they are great but Im going to be building some 1/4" bumpers so I upgraded to a Hobart Handler 140.

**Bigbob** · 01-26-2008, 01:02 PM

I have a Lincoln 140 mig and doing 1/4" is very questionable with it. I have about zero faith in all the welds I have done on 1/4" with it, and not too much faith in the 3/16" stuff. On flux core turned all the way up it still does not do very well, just not enough heat. It welds 3/16" O-K, but not as easy as a stick welder would. I still have my 140 mig, but I will only use it with gas and .023 wire for sheet metal and thin stuff. It does do well with that and the welds are purty! When it is on flux core and turned up to "D" the highest heat range, I can only weld for a short time before it meets the duty cycle and shuts off. Very aggravating. I also have the Hobart 235/160 stick welder and it just goes through that 1/4" metal like a breeze. I like it much better than my old Lincoln 225/150 stick welder, and it more compact to boot.

01-13-2008, 10:20 PM	#4
rustywrangler Got my eye on you..... Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Syracuse, NY Posts: 18,657 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	MIG is wire feed. Check this link out: http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/improving-your-skills/mig/ __________________ http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p...k_banner-1.gif Congenital Heart Disease is a reality for me, BOTH of my children have it. Please read up and become aware for future generations Lydia Ann-Acquired 08/05/05 Open Heart surgery 08/10/05 Jacob Patrick-Acquired 01/17/08 Open Heart surgery 02/15/08

01-26-2008, 01:02 PM	#15
Bigbob Web Wheeler Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bakersfield Posts: 3,193 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have a Lincoln 140 mig and doing 1/4" is very questionable with it. I have about zero faith in all the welds I have done on 1/4" with it, and not too much faith in the 3/16" stuff. On flux core turned all the way up it still does not do very well, just not enough heat. It welds 3/16" O-K, but not as easy as a stick welder would. I still have my 140 mig, but I will only use it with gas and .023 wire for sheet metal and thin stuff. It does do well with that and the welds are purty! When it is on flux core and turned up to "D" the highest heat range, I can only weld for a short time before it meets the duty cycle and shuts off. Very aggravating. I also have the Hobart 235/160 stick welder and it just goes through that 1/4" metal like a breeze. I like it much better than my old Lincoln 225/150 stick welder, and it more compact to boot. __________________ 2006 Solar Yellow Rubicon Unlimited Jeep Club Member #1340 6 Speed, Hardtop Mods done: Hurst tee handle, cheap hand throttle, Rokmen Merc front bumper, Warn 9.5 TI winch with 3/8" X 100 worth of Viking yellow rope, DPG OME Ultimate with JKS ACOS up front, Kilby Gas Tank Skid, Kilby Steering Box Skid, Jeep Medic Belly Up, Skidrow Engine Skid, Rockcrusher Diff Skid in the rear, Warn Diff cover in front, , AR Outlaw II's and MTR 12:50/15's, Homemade rear Bumper, Cheap Cobra CB, Puma OBA, Sirius Radio, Locker Defeat, Rockhard cage, Rockmen short corners, homemade tire swing/tailgate hinge affair, Airlift air bags on the rear- - - - - - and more to come!