Welder...What kind?

[Als73charger]

 Looking to do my own body work for the first time and was wondering what kind of machine to get. Looking for something to do a decent job on sheet metal. Also, any web sites that give pointers on replacing rusty areas on sheet metal?  Al

[tan top]

 mig welder with gas !!  minimum of a 100 amp 

[Silver R/T]

I recommend Hobart/Miller 140, it's quality made, has decent duty cycle and you will have nice welds with gas bottle.

[TylerCharger69]

I use a cheap-ass harbor freight mig welder using .030 flux core wire....no gas....does fine on body panels

[Chatt69chgr]

I second what Silver R/T says.  And order it off the internet from some place like Welders Source or BR Welder.  Around here, they will only sell 80 cu ft gas bottle.  Anything bigger they want to lease.  125 would be better.  Miller all the way.  You will be able to find parts later----and consumables.  Get set up for .026 wire for sheet metal.  Not sure what comes on the 140.  My welder came with std .030 rollers.  Had to add the smaller ones.  Don't forget a good electronic darkening helmet, MIG gloves, some kind of apron, jacket, or whatever.  The 140's plug into 120 outlet.

[Silver R/T]

I bought my Weldmark (made by hobart) off of ebay. Came with .030-.023 roller. I just bought some .023 wire and gas bottle and I'm ready to weld

[Patronus]

Miller  industry standard

[Mike DC]

If you have access to a 220-volt outlet in the garage, that strength is MUCH more useful for any kind of heavier fabrication.  The 120-volt MIGs can do sheetmetal just fine but 1/8th or 3/16th steel plate is a lot less fun.

[69*F5*SE]

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

[Als73charger]

  Ok, now which ones are the most resonably priced and most versitile? Al

[lexxman]

I would say get a 140 amp with gas. I got a Lincoln about a year ago and it works great.

[ktneifert09]

I'm up with the cheap Harbor freight MIG welder.  Works fine and no gas required.  We're not doing welding brain surgery here...

[Mike DC]

The flux-core wire can work but it's a matter of the time/effort versus the cost.  The flux residue has to be manually cleaned off the welds afterwards before any paint/primer will adhere to them. 
 

[69*F5*SE]

Go with gas and be done with it.   

[lexxman]

Ya, you really need the mig with gas for body metal.anything else flux core is fine.

[RD]

i have a el cheapo Clarke MIG using fluxcore...  it takes longer to get a decent weld than with a gas mig, but it gets the job done.  gas will help you get the job done in half the time a flux one does and the welds will be cleaner to boot. my two pennies.