Basic Welding 101
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Basic Welding 101
OK, I have done some stick welding, many years ago. Could probly put a trailer together to haul stuff around, wouldn't win any beauty prises, but would hold together
But at the time I was doin that, where I was doing that, we didn't have any Mig, Tig or any of that stuff around
I see wire welders, replacement studs, argon, with shielding gas, without...
So, anybody got a basic explanation ow what this stuff is? What can you weld and not with them, etc...
thanks
But at the time I was doin that, where I was doing that, we didn't have any Mig, Tig or any of that stuff around
I see wire welders, replacement studs, argon, with shielding gas, without...
So, anybody got a basic explanation ow what this stuff is? What can you weld and not with them, etc...
thanks
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
I have a Lincoln 110 volt 100amp wire feed(no gas)very basic-works great-easy to use-welds 1/8 easily-has a short handle which makes it easier if your hand is shakey.I had to get rid of my Miller stick welder because of shakes-until that stick burned down it was all over the place.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
With the stick you can probably get the best penetration and strength for thicker metals. Cheapest.
Mig is great for thinner metals up to 3/8 depending on the welder. Most exhaust shops use a mig 110v and can do stainless with the right wire and gas. More cost because of gas and spools, and upkeep.
For really fine welding on thinner metals and aluminum Tig is best. A good welder can weld beer cans, repair cracks in aluminum heads, body panels etc. It's like brazing with an arc instead of a torch and flame. You can go up to 1/4" and more, but it gets tedious. It takes a lot of practice to get good with tig.
If its you birdcage you are interested in, then I would go tig, a lot more control, but a bigger expense and learning curve. Mig will work, but if inexperienced, you might have a lot of grinding to do.
Check out good used machines.
Mig is great for thinner metals up to 3/8 depending on the welder. Most exhaust shops use a mig 110v and can do stainless with the right wire and gas. More cost because of gas and spools, and upkeep.
For really fine welding on thinner metals and aluminum Tig is best. A good welder can weld beer cans, repair cracks in aluminum heads, body panels etc. It's like brazing with an arc instead of a torch and flame. You can go up to 1/4" and more, but it gets tedious. It takes a lot of practice to get good with tig.
If its you birdcage you are interested in, then I would go tig, a lot more control, but a bigger expense and learning curve. Mig will work, but if inexperienced, you might have a lot of grinding to do.
Check out good used machines.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Mig uses wire and the Tig uses the tungsten electrodes (studs). BTW, they don't wear down quickly like a stick welder. You hold the handle with the electrode in one hand and use you material stick in the other hand, feeding it into the arc and control the amount of juice with a variable foot pedal.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
I have a 110V 135 amp Lincoln wire feed with gas (second one in 20+ years). I do a lot of custom body work on steel cars and fabricate parts, but these smaller 110V welders are only capable of up to 1/8" steel. Larger ($$$) MIG's have capacity up to 1/2". MIG welders in the 100-135 amp range are perfect for windshield frames, body sheet metal, exhaust work, and light fabrication. I use a CO2 Argon mix. You'll get much better results with gas and solid wire as opposed gas-less with flux core wire. You can also do aluminum with certain models.
You can buy the 110V machines at Lowes, Home Depot or the welding store and they come with or without the gas installation kit. You'll need to buy the tank from a welding store. Once you have one, you won't know how you did without it.
You can buy the 110V machines at Lowes, Home Depot or the welding store and they come with or without the gas installation kit. You'll need to buy the tank from a welding store. Once you have one, you won't know how you did without it.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
That explained some things, I was starting to figure out the flux core wire thing was an alternative to shielding gas, and the stud/material stick/ foot feed makes sence too.
Its sounding like a wire fed mig that will do gas/flux might be the way to go, I see dual voltage kits out there under $500 that will do up to 3/16' steel. That should do whatever I need, what do you think?
Its sounding like a wire fed mig that will do gas/flux might be the way to go, I see dual voltage kits out there under $500 that will do up to 3/16' steel. That should do whatever I need, what do you think?
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
Yep, that's what you want. Make sure it comes with a gas kit. Since you'll be dealing with your local welding store for gas and supplies, make sure you buy a brand of welder that the store will have parts for.
Lincoln, Miller and Hobart are all good quality machines in the $500 range, but parts do wear out such as rollers, nozzles, gun tips, and the liner that goes inside the cable. If the store has the parts, it beats mail order for an off-brand machine and having to wait. Like most tools, these things only break when you are in the middle of a project.
Good luck with your new toy!
Lincoln, Miller and Hobart are all good quality machines in the $500 range, but parts do wear out such as rollers, nozzles, gun tips, and the liner that goes inside the cable. If the store has the parts, it beats mail order for an off-brand machine and having to wait. Like most tools, these things only break when you are in the middle of a project.
Good luck with your new toy!
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
good info, looks like I will need one in a couple weeks. The #2 body mount cups are rusted out. I am crossing my fingers on the rocker rails. Don't know the status on windshield frame yet
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 22
From: Yooperville MI
I hope everything works out, keep us posted. If you have access to scrap steel near you, it makes good FREE practice material.
The small tanks of gas are about 30" high and last about 45 minutes, which is quite a bit of welding. Cost around here is $45 initially for the tank (you own it) and $17 for refills. I use the small tanks because they are easy to handle and fit in a car. I've ended up with 4 of them though just to keep going on major projects. Get the size of tank that fits your needs.
A roll of wire is about $12. And, get a decent helmet, the one that comes with most welders is flat and hand held, also doesn't cover your head. A basic flip style is fine. Most of the time you'll want both hands for the gun (if you're shakey) and to keep spatter off your head!
The small tanks of gas are about 30" high and last about 45 minutes, which is quite a bit of welding. Cost around here is $45 initially for the tank (you own it) and $17 for refills. I use the small tanks because they are easy to handle and fit in a car. I've ended up with 4 of them though just to keep going on major projects. Get the size of tank that fits your needs.
A roll of wire is about $12. And, get a decent helmet, the one that comes with most welders is flat and hand held, also doesn't cover your head. A basic flip style is fine. Most of the time you'll want both hands for the gun (if you're shakey) and to keep spatter off your head!
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
Likes: 53
From: Dayton, Ohio
Sixfooter get the gas-you wont have to chip slag and the weld looks much better.I also added on a "Lube Matic" its just an oil impregnated fuzzy pad that lubes the wire as it leaves the spool so it doesnt bind in the handle.Check to make sure this is OK to use with gas.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 14,112
Likes: 28
From: Florida
Sixfooter
Praxair Distribution, Inc.
4100 N. Powerline Road
G3
Pompano Beach, FL 33073
USA
Phone: 954-971-0116
Fax: 954-971-2698
This is the manufacturer that supplies almost all SE Florida welding suppliers with all their gas products. Definitely the cheapest and if you can swing opening an account there, your gas will be cheaper yet.
They also sell all types of welding supplies, machines etc. Get the expert info from them first, then go shopping.
Great place.
Praxair Distribution, Inc.
4100 N. Powerline Road
G3
Pompano Beach, FL 33073
USA
Phone: 954-971-0116
Fax: 954-971-2698
This is the manufacturer that supplies almost all SE Florida welding suppliers with all their gas products. Definitely the cheapest and if you can swing opening an account there, your gas will be cheaper yet.
They also sell all types of welding supplies, machines etc. Get the expert info from them first, then go shopping.
Great place.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
From: Twin Lake Mi
I would recommend an auto darkening helmet instead of the basic helmet. As I get older, I seem to be getting some of the inherited family shake. I always had a hard time starting the weld where I wanted it to. About a month ago I bought a low end auto darkening helmet and it sure has helped me. They have a built in battery which lasts about 6 years I'm told. I don't weld a lot, but it sure beats having weld where I didn't want it. 