mrrman

I talked with a friend about getting some body panels welded on my car, 67 Firebird. He has a welder but it cant do this type of job. Instead of hiring someone to do this I mentioned that I will buy the welder and he can do the work. What kind of welder do I buy to weld body panels? I saw this at Harbor Freight, is this good enough?

http://www.harborfreight.com/170-Amp...tm_source=1003

kandybluez28

Havent used that welder but personally I would want a welder with shielding gas and an adjustable **** for the output. but that would cost a little more.
That would most likely be good enough though as long as you have a 240v outlet.

85Irocket

I have this welder from harbor freight. http://www.harborfreight.com/180-amp...der-68886.html Works great for everything I have welded with it so far. I am going to switch it to Mig as soon as I can get an argon tank though.

83 Crossfire TA

iTrader: (2)

Any smallish MIG will do it. You can use flux core, but sheilding gas will prevent it from running as hot and make the whole process go easier/faster.

brian p

That''ll do just fine. I've got a Lincoln which is probably equivalent to that. It works OK for work like that. The flux core is a little messy, you'll have to spend a couple of bucks to convert it to MIG, a tank of argo mix and different welding wire, Harbor Freight can probably sell/recommend someone.

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

The welder shown in the second link looks like a much better welder. Just be sure that contact tips etc are available. I have even wore out a liner on my Miller but it took a while. I would want liners to be available if it would be receiving much use. When mine went bad I had wire feed problems. Replaced the liner and good again.

89RS_82Z

iTrader: (2)

MIG

I got a 120v Hobart 140 MIG with gas that is a perfect all around welder I use it ALOT and its powerful for 120v but to run at full potential you need a 20amp 120 plug not the standard household 15amp

I also have a 220v 235 Stickmate, but stick welding is more for heavy stuff

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

I have looked at the Hobart MIG's and they seem to be a very good little welder.

That is a very good point about the 20 Amp circuit!!!

I have tried using 15 Amp and was tripping the breaker constantly. My little workshop/garage has all 20A circuits and outlets in it for this reason. I also have extra heavy duty extension cords (10 ga) so I never need to use the house electricity.

GMCTIM

Personally, I'd buy a miller.
The HFT welder doesn't have a shielding gas, which can be a problem.
I've only used a buddy's flux core welder at his place once......& wouldn't weld a horse trailer with it (which is what he was trying to do)
You should get a welder that you can use a shielding gas with it.
Either straight CO2 or C25. You will get MUCH better results with a gas shielded weld.
Also, get one with a variable heat & wire feed control. If you put too much heat into a panel, you will warp it to the point where it will almost be impossible to repair.
Has your guy ever done sheetmetal repair before? If not, you might be better off just taking it somewhere else, & not have to buy the welder.
(I work in a pro restoration shop & do most of the welding)

91phoenix

iTrader: (5)

Not all but some of the Harbor Freight welders are capable of using gas. I agree with wanting a separate **** for thickness, why I liked the second one linked to here, as well as gas capable.
GMCTIM, I agree with you about Miller as that is what I have but the comparable Lincoln's are also about equal in performance. My little 110 Miller MIG is about 15 yrs old and still works like new.

GMCTIM

I prefer miller, but it's partly because i live close to where they're built.
(gotta support local business) Lincoln, hobart, etc might be ok too.
My cousin bought a HFT welder & it was the Biggest piece of $HIT i've ever used!
They probably sell better ones though.
As far as controls, the best ones have dials for wire feed speed & amperage output.
I've used welders that just have 1-6 (or whatever it is)selection, & they always seem to be in between the heat range you ideally need.
Overall the absolute best way to weld panels on is TIG, because you can control EXACTLY how much heat is going into the panel & you also have much less weld bead that needs to be ground down.
I've had a Miller 175 for almost 25 years & only had to replace the liner on it
(mainly because somebody wrecked it on me)
I also have a Miller 252 that i bought about a year ago & it is absolutely the best welder i've ever used.

stickySC

I have the POS Harbor F Tig rig. It rated 80 amps at 100% duty cycle. will go up to 130 amps. Id perfer a Miller, Lincon, or a hobart anyday. Get the warranty the first one had a issue out the box. got a replacement. It seems to have a issue with the high frequency kicking on, I feather out of the puddle and the arc stablizes."only used 20lbs of Argon with it" If your friend can tig weld, get it. If not, you can teach a monkey to mig weld.

Jeffs82TA

iTrader: (1)

Look on craigslist too, I found this one for 250.00. I know it can have gas hooked up to it. Not sure how it compares to others but wirks excellent for what I need it for.

Cart and new pack of gloves were included in the buy price.

paul_huryk

MIG as other have said.

Eastwood makes a decent 120v one for about $300 - sometimes on sale for less.

Spaceboy1980

iTrader: (6)

I use a hobart 140. They have miller torches and you can get them and everything you need for them at TSC.