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07-22-2003, 10:16 AM
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Low end mig welders?
Hi all,
New here and love this forum. Finally getting around to restoring my 55 Chevy truck after 25 years. Want to mig weld patch panels myself. Thought about renting a Mig but also noticed low end machines for under $200.00 on EBAY. Of course I don't think there as good as as $1500.00 rigs...But can they do the job? Are they good enough? Any major negitives with these machines? Most mention flux core wire ...so that gas is not required. What are you welders using? Gas? Flux core? Thanks, Keith / CT 
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07-22-2003, 10:29 AM
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Flux Core won't cut it.
I own a 1957 Chevy 3100 Truck, and a few months back, I was asking the exact same question you are now. I ended up buying a Hobart Handler 125 for about $350. I tried welding with the flux core...and even at the lowest settings the metal evaporates right before your eyes! Nothing will piss you off quicker. I just bought the shielding gas kit for it for $80.00 + probably another $100 for the gas and bottle. So at the end of the day, you can expect to pay somewhere around $500+ to do what you want to do. The shielding gas will allow you to weld thinner sheetmetal. Some may argue but a 110v machine is more than capable of handling body work and even roll cages and miscellaneous tasks around the house. Buy as much of a machine you can afford. Do NOT buy into something that does not allow upgrade to gas. Hope this helps
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07-23-2003, 08:02 AM
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Thanks Unstable...
That being the case I'll likely rent if one is available. Just to stop the bleeding. I need to buy a compressor capable of powering air tools and since I'll the Mig will only get occasional use I'll rent. I have tanks and torches but the last time I used them I learned how short the period of time is between cherry red and a hole. Thanks for the reply, Keith
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07-23-2003, 09:03 AM
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I'd say look at buying a small machine...really. Because even though it doesn't take a high degree of skill to weld using a mig, it's going to take some practice. And if you're just going to rent a machine to do your panels, you're probably going to be in a big rush to get it done without paying a large rental fee...so the job is going to be crappy.
If there's one thing I learned from my wife, it's that hotrods don't happen overnight. That's why most of the guys cruising in cool cars are old.
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07-23-2003, 10:47 AM
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I have to agree with unstable, BUY a small mig!! You will need to practice not only to prevent burn-through, but you don't want to have huge blobs of welds. Remember, you will need to grind this smooth too, and mig welds are some of the hardest to grind down without warping the sheetmetal.
There are plenty of mig welders out there, you may want to look for a rig that has stitch and spot welding capabilities. This could help you when welding thin sheets. One company that I have bought welders and plasma cutters is HTP America. They are always there when I need them. Seth
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07-23-2003, 11:58 AM
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I guess i'm the only guy here with a century made craftsman mig.
dont go for flux, use the argon/co2. I wouldn't use it on critical areas, like a frame, but, it'll do all the sheetmetal you could ask for. i'd recommend a century, snapon migs used to be(don't know about the newer ones) made by century.......
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07-23-2003, 12:05 PM
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I have a small Lincoln 100 (I think that's the number - it's in that series anyway) and I will put it up against anyone any time for quantity and quality of weld. Got it at Harbor Freight. They had their in-house brand too which is probably very good but the Lincoln was on a sale so cost about the same as their brand.
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07-23-2003, 01:55 PM
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Willys, are your welds this beautiful?
 this is from a very talented weldor on the hobart forums. Quote:
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07-23-2003, 01:57 PM
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No but my grinder is gorgeous!
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07-25-2003, 07:31 PM
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Thanks all!
The concensus is gas ...no flux...So be it. If money was no object..ha,ha,ha buying would be the way to go...but I'll have to see if the local renter has a gas model.. Appreciate the comments.. Slick
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07-26-2003, 01:52 AM
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Quote:
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07-26-2003, 08:01 AM
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I have a 110V unit I bought from Sears about 10 years ago. It only has High and Low settings por the power. It has variable wire speed control. I have had no problems with welding anything of 1/8" or less. Anything larger than that I use a stick welder for anyway. The only problem that I have had with mine is that the wire is always "hot". If I was going to buy another one I would go for one that the wire is only "Hot" when the trigger is pulled. Makes for easier control when starting. When I bought mine I paid about $450 for the welder. The gas bottle cost me about $300. Since then they have gone down I guess. That's usually how it works for me anyway. Everyone else benefits when I buy something.
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07-26-2003, 01:53 PM
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I don't know whether that picture was done using flux core or gas. I'd imagine it was done using gas, but I can find out for sure.
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07-26-2003, 07:07 PM
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To produce a good looking weld takes 2 good welders. The one that is bought, and the one that bought it. Just having a good welder does not mean that you will be able to produce good welds. Also just being able to produce good welds with a good welder doesn't mean that you can on any welder. It takes practice and ability.
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07-26-2003, 07:24 PM
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here's what "DAN" on the hobart forum said about the pic of the weld I attached...he also attached another, just to rub in the fact that he is very good.
Quote:
Last edited by unstable; 07-26-2003 at 07:31 PM.
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