Mig Welder

[Layla1973]

Anyone have any suggestions on buy a mig welder anyone own a Miller or a Lincoln looking to buy a small one that runs on 120 volt that would do sheet metal

[pbrown]

I have a Lincoln SP-135 and like it a lot. Miller also makes a fine welding machine.

Just be sure to get a unit that uses a gas bottle. Stay away from the cheaper flux wire only welders.

[Layla1973]

Thanks for the information

[68FalconSC]

A buddy of mine has a Millermatic 140 with autoset and freaking loves it. Welds the hell out of about anything he cares to. He has the bottle set up with it and runs on household current.

[doghows]

I have used the Lincoln weld pack 100 to do my whole car with. Love it..

[Luva65wagon]

I picked up one from Sears. Sears contracts with Miller or Lincoln (or whoever) and then sells it for about $100 cheaper. I've never checked to see who made mine (may have to now...), but it has welded up a storm for a over 10 years now with no issues.

[BPVan]

I own a Millermatic 140 and it has been great. I have the 75/25 bottle set up and it makes all the difference. The AutoSet feature makes it super easy to use. Miller runs rebates periodically if you're looking to save a few$$. The kit comes with everything you need except for a helmet and gloves.

[dhbfaster]

It would be great to have tech day about evaluating welding & patching body panels sometime in the spring...

[Layla1973]

I agree we should have a tech day like that

[Luva65wagon]

We can probably do this.

Welders are only as good as the person using them. I've seen bad welding machines weld great and I've seen good welding machines weld bad - it was all in the person holding the gun. I used to be a production welder in my other life, so I'm pretty good when I want to be. My welding machine is not all that good, and it can't do the things I'd like it to do... but I have a big 100% duty cycle Hobart MIG and a Miller TIG at work I can use any time I want.

Most home welders have a very limited duty cycle, as I mentioned above. This is the time you can weld versus the time you have to not weld - at risk of causing it to shut down or melt down, whichever comes first. Body panel welding is typically spot/tack welding, so you can get a lot done without stopping because the current is low, for one, but it is small tack welds over and over again, which doesn't overheat the welder.

[Voodoofalcon]

I have a little Lincoln Weld pak 3200. It works great and only cost me $100 off of craigslist. If I was going to try and make a living off of a welder I would get a Miller but a Lincoln is a great machine for a weekend worrier. I would stay away from the flux core machines that do not use gas.

[dhbfaster]

How many Amps is enough for basic body panel and misc working on cars, and maybe occasionally welding some tubular steel??

I saw this one has the right price for the Xmas list...but I'm wondering if 70amps will be enough.
http://www.amazon.com/Lincoln-Electric-K2185-1-Handy-Welder/dp/B000QFNZ74/ref=sr_1_1?s=hi&ie=UTF8&qid=1384107910&sr=1-1&keywords=lincoln+welder

[Luva65wagon]

You'll not be happy with it for anything more than body panels. Up to 1/8" steel will probably mean very cold welds when you are there trying it. I have one that goes to 105 amps and it does just OK for 1/8" thick material. I usually end up taking that type of thing to work and borrow the big'un.

Try to get one with gas option too. You'll be happy you did working on body panels. Flux-core is fine for small construction projects, but not something you'll want to deal with on spot welds. Too much cleaning.

[dhbfaster]

Anyone have an Eastwood welder? Any thoughts on these?

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welder-110vac-135a-output.html

They also package it with a spot weld kit- is the spot weld kit useful or just a gimick (yes, I will need to spot weld)? http://www.eastwood.com/mig135-and-spot-weld-kit.html

They also have a 175 amp, welds aluminum too. These all seem pretty nice for the price. Amy i missing anything?
http://www.eastwood.com/mig-175-welder-cart-and-helmet-kit.html

Thanks as always...