Want to get a good...
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,292
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From: Beavercreek OR
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 1,199
Likes: 1
From: NewCastle IN. USA
Re: Want to get a good... (ski_dwn_it)
TIG welders are the nicest to have (and most expensive)
it takes more practice to learn than MIG or stick but is more versatile.
I generally recommend at least a 200amp AC/DC machine.
200amps will weld most anything (a big piece of aluminium may need some preheat with a torch, but everything else will be fine).
since thats a 175 amp machine I say it would weld steels and stainless fine (up to about 5/16" maybe 3/8") and should weld up to about 1/8" aluminium before having to preheat the part, with preheat it should be able to weld 1/4" alum.
MIG welders:
these work very well on steel (even thin steel with the right setup) but I wouldn't use it for aluminium (takes special equipment).
Stick (arc welders):
In the right hands you can do alot with one of these, but aluminium is'nt something I'd try. thinner metals can be hard to weld also (generally used on 1/8" or thicker). but they cost less than any other welder
heres a little rule of thumb for arc welding: the decimal size of a welding rod is a good starting point for amperage. example: if the welding rod is 1/8"dia (.125") then 125amps will be a good setting to start with, 1/16" (.062")= 62amps ect ect. keep that in mind for the thicknesss of the base metal too, don't try to weld a 1/16" thick plate with a 1/8"dia rod (I'm not saying it can't be done but its harder).
RJ
it takes more practice to learn than MIG or stick but is more versatile.
I generally recommend at least a 200amp AC/DC machine.
200amps will weld most anything (a big piece of aluminium may need some preheat with a torch, but everything else will be fine).
since thats a 175 amp machine I say it would weld steels and stainless fine (up to about 5/16" maybe 3/8") and should weld up to about 1/8" aluminium before having to preheat the part, with preheat it should be able to weld 1/4" alum.
MIG welders:
these work very well on steel (even thin steel with the right setup) but I wouldn't use it for aluminium (takes special equipment).
Stick (arc welders):
In the right hands you can do alot with one of these, but aluminium is'nt something I'd try. thinner metals can be hard to weld also (generally used on 1/8" or thicker). but they cost less than any other welder
heres a little rule of thumb for arc welding: the decimal size of a welding rod is a good starting point for amperage. example: if the welding rod is 1/8"dia (.125") then 125amps will be a good setting to start with, 1/16" (.062")= 62amps ect ect. keep that in mind for the thicknesss of the base metal too, don't try to weld a 1/16" thick plate with a 1/8"dia rod (I'm not saying it can't be done but its harder).
RJ
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Want to get a good...
Welder. Not real familiar with that all the jargon means on these when reading about them. What would be a good unit to get? I would like to TIG weld with it also if needed.
Guess this isn't really C4 tech related, but the car is the reason I am thinking about getting one. :cheers:
Guess this isn't really C4 tech related, but the car is the reason I am thinking about getting one. :cheers:
Pro
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 670
Likes: 1
From: charlotte nc
Re: Want to get a good... (ski_dwn_it)
TIG (tungsten inert gas) is hands down the best ,but expensive. It can weld almost any weldable metal. It's best for 1/4 inch or less thickness. Also it's particularly good for body work and other sheet metal work, plus things like fabing up aluminum intakes, headers etc. Most also come with AC and DC stick welding capability for heavier gauge metal. Mine is a Miller 180 Syncrowave and It does everything I could ever want.
My second choice would a be MIG welder.
:cheers:
My second choice would a be MIG welder.
:cheers:
