Welder Advice

[jdiesel33]

Hi,
I posted a few months ago asking about learning to weld. Lots of encouragement and great advice. I am now thinking about going forward with this and need advice on a welding machine to purchase. All I will be using it for is repairs and restoration of my '68. From what I have read, a MIG should be sufficient, is that correct? Beyond that I am really lost. So many models that come with different accessories that are used for different gauges, etc.. Can anyone give me a model or any advice on a reasonably priced machine that will do what I need?

Thanks

[Chatt69chgr]

Buy off the web from either Welder's Source out of Louisville, KY or from BR Welder out of White Plains, MD. 

I got mine from

http://store.weldersource.com/

The MIG is probably the better choice.  Costs less, will do most of what you want to do and is easier to learn.  They say you can be welding usefully after playing with it for a couple of hours.  TIG requires a lot more on the learning curve.  And costs more.  It will, however, allow you to weld pinholes up in thin metal like roofs.  But the MIG will handle the rest of the sheet metal on the car.  110Volt unit is adequate for your requirements.  You can choose either the 140 amp or the 180 amp units.  If you go up to the 210 amp unit, you need to run off 220VAC.  You won't ever go wrong by choosing Miller.  Very respected, parts available, consumables available, etc.  I got the 252 but that was overkill.  And by all means, go gas.  I found that the biggest bottle of C25 gas (which you use to weld regular steel) I could actually purchase and own the bottle was 80 cu ft.  Probably OK for home use.  You have to lease bigger bottles.  Don't for get gloves, helmut, etc.  Miller has a good helmut that is electronic that you can get from Weldersource too.  Don't buy one of those cheap Harbor Freight helmuts.  You will want to run .026 wire for thin sheetmetal.  Get the roller and gun tips for that if your welder only comes with a .030/.035 roller.  I found out by surfing around on the net that after I bought my welder and as long as I had not used my gun that I could exchange it free for a better Bernard centerfire gun.  Bernard is one of the ITW companies of which Miller is a part.  They still did this for a buddy of mine as of 2 months ago.  Now this was on the 252.  I don't know what they would or would not do on the smaller welders.  You would need to call Bernard and talk to them.  This is something that you do yourself.  Might want to look into that aspect of this before you actually make your purchase if you think that is important. 
I think Hobart is a division of ITW too but am not sure.  I hear they are good welders too.  Weldersource has them too.
WelderSource sponsors the big national street rod show at Louisville every year so they are car guys.  Were real nice on the phone when I ordered mine.

[knitz01]

I just got the miller 180 autoset,(I weld for a living the guys at work laugh at me, i got the auto set for my kid ) the auto set work very very  well.  You pick the wire size and thickness of material the welder sets up for you, Really that eazy.  You can fine tune the voltage if its a little (cold or hot).  The also make a auto set 140 for you 110v guys.

[69*F5*SE]

If you want high quality the HTP MIG140 by HTP is a state of the art MIG. Very high quality unit.      I own the HTP MIG160DV and wouldn't trade it for any other brand.  DV is Dual Voltage as it can run on 220 and 110.   Ted


http://www.htpweld.com/products/mig_welders/mig_140.html

[jdiesel33]

Thanks everyone. I really appreciate the guidance.