[nastypurplenova]

So I want to get a MIG welder... I dont have the cash to buy a nice one, so I've been looking at the cheapo harbor freight brands... they have a 90amp for about 100 bucks and then a 110amp for about 180... the only difference is the 110amp uses either flux core wire or gas. I think the 90 amp only uses flux core wire. Either way, would these weld good enough for replacing quarter panels ? Ive read the reviews and it seems like they actually do a decent job with welds.... Any input? Thanks...

[crussell85]

I wouldn't recommend a cheepo welder to anyone. I would say stay with a Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln so you get years of happy service from your machine.

[crownver]

It would have to be the 110 amp. Pretty tough to weld sheet metal with flux core wire. You'll need the regulator and a bottle of C25 gas to go with it. Also another liner for the thinner wire.

[001mustang]

I agree w/ crownver. I don't like flux wire.

May get away w/ cheap unit if you have to.

Thing I found bout mig is once you get a nice bead flowing on thin metal you must stop or else panel will warp. End up having to make several stitch welds instead of a more enjoyable long weld. You can probably make the shorter stitch welds w/ cheaper unit.

That said, I have a 15 year old USA century gas mig and would love to upgrade to nicer unit if I could justify it.

[oldred]

Originally Posted by nastypurplenova

So I want to get a MIG welder... I dont have the cash to buy a nice one, so I've been looking at the cheapo harbor freight brands... they have a 90amp for about 100 bucks and then a 110amp for about 180... the only difference is the 110amp uses either flux core wire or gas. I think the 90 amp only uses flux core wire. Either way, would these weld good enough for replacing quarter panels ? Ive read the reviews and it seems like they actually do a decent job with welds.... Any input? Thanks...

First thing is that HF welders have a terrible reputation for poor reliability, they did have a couple of decent MIG and TIG welders a while back but these seem to have disappeared from the inventory. You say you want to get a MIG welder but you mention you are looking at the 90 AMP flux core welder from HF, just to clear up a bit of confusion a flux core welder is not a MIG welder and ALL MIG welders use gas- (M)etal (I)nert (G)as. There is no such thing as a "gas-less" MIG and calling a flux core machine a MIG while searching for info or shopping for one can cause a lot of confusion, they are not the same thing nor are they called the same thing. Flux core has the advantage of not needing the shielding gas and associated tank, regulator, etc so it is a lot cheaper to get started and it also has the big advantage of being able to weld outdoors in drafty conditions that would ruin a MIG weld. It does however have the disadvantages of making a "dirty" weld with a lot of smoke and spatter to clean up plus it is much harder to weld thin sheetmetal without burn-through. MIG is MUCH cleaner and has the ability to weld very thin sheet with very little spatter and less tendency to warp the metal, it can also be used as a flux core welder if the polarity can be switched (most of them can be). The disadvantages to MIG is higher start-up costs and the fact it is almost useless outdoors or in any drafty condition due to atmospheric contamination of the shielding gas which will destroy the weld.

[matts37chev]

this is one of those things that you will get what you pay for.
so you need to find the line between what you can afford and what you want to have for a machine.
and they often dont line up

[speedydeedy]

Originally Posted by crussell85

I wouldn't recommend a cheepo welder to anyone. I would say stay with a Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln so you get years of happy service from your machine.

I agree totally,been there done that. I will never buy a cheap MIG again.If you have no choice but to go cheap at least get the higher amp MIG and not the flux core.The MIG is much better for auto body work.Have a garage sale or whatever you can do to get the extra money and do it right the first time,you will be very glad you did.Good luck.

[boatbob2]

Hi,as stated by everyone on these posts,DONT BUY A HF WELDER,they are JUNK,go to craigs list,or Ebay or a pawn shop,i bought a new in the box LINCOLN 175 amp for $225.00 (12 years ago)and try to find either a LINCOLN,MILLER or another TOP brand.they will last for years, buy a good used one,if you dont know how to weld,have the seller demo it for you.you will need to change the wire feed to MIG,need regulator and bottle...or FIND A GOOD FRIEND AND BORROW HIS....