Arch, Gas, or MIG?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Arch, Gas, or MIG?
I am going to need a welder for my 81 restore project and need help determining what the best welder to use would be.
First question, which welder is te most cost effective?
Second question, which welder is prefered to use?
First question, which welder is te most cost effective?
Second question, which welder is prefered to use?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 16,945
Likes: 9
MIG is by far the most versatile, TIG makes cleaner welds but it's really slow. Stick just plain sucks. If you want the best compromise between clean welds, being able to lay a nice clean weld without a lot of practice then the MIG is the best. Do get one with a gas hookup, flux core is ugly.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
For general home use and restoration work, you want to use a MIG (GMAW) welder (wire feed) with shielding gas (not flux core wore). You don't want to use oxy-acetylene ("gas") or stick (SMAW). However, if your wallet can afford it, nothing beats a TIG (GTAW) setup for quality welds, but a mig will do what you need done for Vette work. Lincoln makes some very good home-use MIG systems, and they come complete with setup instructions for the first-time user.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Columbia SC
Originally Posted by lars
For general home use and restoration work, you want to use a MIG (GMAW) welder (wire feed) with shielding gas (not flux core wore). You don't want to use oxy-acetylene ("gas") or stick (SMAW). However, if your wallet can afford it, nothing beats a TIG (GTAW) setup for quality welds, but a mig will do what you need done for Vette work. Lincoln makes some very good home-use MIG systems, and they come complete with setup instructions for the first-time user.
For shielding gas I use 75% argon and 25% co2, I think this is pretty much standard.
I have the smallest HOBART 220volt they sell and it is the best money I spent.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
i have all three and by far the best is the mig for all around use, although i use the shielded inner core wire, my unit is a lincoln and they sell similar ones at Home Depot in the $350-400 range, the home owner version of the Lincoln MIG welders allow you to use either the iinercore wire or to upgrade to using the gas. i started with the inner core wire and have never been motivated or felt the need to step up to the Gas conversion. however you definetly should get two electric 4 or
4 1/2 grinders and set one up with a cupped wire brush and the other with a grindwheel. and if you have never welded before the new facemasks that automatically darken are also nice.
4 1/2 grinders and set one up with a cupped wire brush and the other with a grindwheel. and if you have never welded before the new facemasks that automatically darken are also nice.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
i started with the inner core wire and have never been motivated or felt the need to step up to the Gas conversion.
I have a stick machine, a tig setup for doing mild and Stainless steels as well as a couple of migs setups. I use the mig (with 75/25 mix gas) for most of what I do.
Steve
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Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
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From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Although the 220 machines offer greater capability, you can get good 110 units that are adequate for home use/automotive restoration stuff. Most of the 110 mig machines are good for up to 1/4" steel, althouh that's pushing it to the limit. You seldom do more than 1/8" on auto frames & components, so the 110 machines work fine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,865
Likes: 1
From: I may be getting old but I refuse to grow up
Originally Posted by lars
Although the 220 machines offer greater capability, you can get good 110 units that are adequate for home use/automotive restoration stuff. Most of the 110 mig machines are good for up to 1/4" steel, althouh that's pushing it to the limit. You seldom do more than 1/8" on auto frames & components, so the 110 machines work fine.
I have a 110 volt MIG that I bought used for $50 (needed a diode replaced) and found that it was great for up to 1/8" steel.The only problem you would run into is the duty cycle of these machines, 20% duty cycle is 2 minutes welding & 8 minutes waiting.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 268
Likes: 0
From: Mechanicsville VA
Northern Tools has the best deal on the 110 volt MIG Hobarts with the gas set-up; it's about $470. Of course, you need the cylinder, helmet, etc., so add that in before telling your wife... 
As for duty cycle, I try never to work so fast that I miss something, and the breaks help.
As for duty cycle, I try never to work so fast that I miss something, and the breaks help.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Originally Posted by Twin_Turbo
MIG is by far the most versatile, TIG makes cleaner welds but it's really slow. Stick just plain sucks. If you want the best compromise between clean welds, being able to lay a nice clean weld without a lot of practice then the MIG is the best. Do get one with a gas hookup, flux core is ugly.
I agree with every word Twin Turbo said but he didn't go far enought. Spend the extra money and only go 220V . The advantage of 220 over 110 is you can crank the wire feed rate up to flow the weld in. I use my 220 unit on thin material but I always seem to have the power and wire feed cranked right up. The faster you pour the weld in the less heat put into the metal. Burn it is fast but also deep. Besides who knows when you start building suspension parts and need the extra bit for the heavy steel and multiple passes.
Last edited by norvalwilhelm; Oct 1, 2004 at 02:53 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 383
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From: Columbia SC
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
I agree with every word Twin Turbo said but he didn't go far enought. Spend the extra money and only go 220V . The advantage of 220 over 110 is you can crank the wire feed rate up to flow the weld in. I use my 220 unit on thin material but I always seem to have the power and wire feed cranked right up. The faster you pour the weld in the less heat put into the metal. Burn it is fast but also deep. Besides who knows when you start building suspension parts and need the extra bit for the heavy steel and multiple passes.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
A 220 volt plug is not very hard to wire up. If you aregoing to spend the money I would go with the 220. If you are not confortible wiring up a 220 circuit get pro to wire it up for you. I have wired many 220 circuits and it is not a big deal. My breaker box is in the garage so access is very easy.
A 220 mig welder is all the homeowner will ever need.
A 220 mig welder is all the homeowner will ever need.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
My experiences are very good with the 130 Amp (110V) unit
that I bought. Here is a link ... $270 for the welder ... add on for
gas regulator and tank (get tank at the local gas dealer).
Here is a link to my welder ... they also have an 180 Amp (220V)
model for $60 more.
http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...ml?id=J4dYdE7C
that I bought. Here is a link ... $270 for the welder ... add on for
gas regulator and tank (get tank at the local gas dealer).
Here is a link to my welder ... they also have an 180 Amp (220V)
model for $60 more.
http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/we...ml?id=J4dYdE7C