Need some help from all you welders out there

[bone3412]

So Ive always been interested in learning to weld, partially to build stuff for my FJ and also just cause Im very mechanical/fabrication/do it yourself inclined. For my up coming birthday my family was thinking about buying me one of those smaller garage shop welding kits. (the ones that are a few hundo or less from Home Depot, Lowes ect. I want to be able to do a variety of things, from building for the FJ (bull bar mounts, m-pac style racks, rock rails ect) to just plain old boredom welding, makin sculptures ect. Will one of those kits work for this or no? are there any things I should look for specifically when pickin a kit or are the only ones that will work for this cost piles of money ($400+). Thanks for any help you can give.

Jason

[gpwdFJ]

I am the same way. I would love to learn the art of fabrication. I am very interested in what the best type of welder is for similar applications mentioned above and what is the easiest to use (learn). I want to build some small brakets/mounting hardware for a few things on the FJC as well as roof rack accessories which I have designed, but I don't know the first thing about where to start with the tools needed etc. FILL US IN OH GODS OF WELDING!

[layonnn]

AH, me too. Belly doc should jump in on this. How hard is it to learn how to weld. Also, i would assume i need some cutting tools as well.

[Cogen Man]

How to MIG Weld | ExpertVillage Videos

Easy to learn how to weld.

[rotorhed1]

I have welding equipment in my garage. For most stuff I use my Lincoln Weldpac 100, flux cored wire feed. This works well for fairly light stuff like 1/8-3/16 thick steel. This is on a cheap Harbour Frieght cart. For 1/4" I have to bevel the edges and make multiple passes. So for that I have a big 220 volt AC machine. but that is big and requires 220 volt.

There is a step up from my machine that still runs off a 110 volt circuit. Like a weldpac 155? I think that would be my choice. Then later you could add a bottle of shielding gas so you won't have to chip slab off of the welds. that also allows you to weld thinner metal. Open the side cover on one at Home Depot to see the setting guides.

Then finally I have an oxy-acetelene setup on a cart. Great for cutting, and heating to bend the metal. I rarely gas weld, but do braze a little at times.

[bartt]

I think that a good MIG welder is going to be your best bet..
Do a google or 2 on the net. You should be able to find a good deal on a Miller 175 or bigger Mig welder. Lincoln makes a similar model. Try to get the 220 version, the 110 volt models don't really cut for the thicknesses of metal you'll want to play with.
I found a brand new MillerMatic 175 for just under $600, including shipping a couple of years ago. It has served me well and is very reliable. With the addition of the right gas bottle, I can even weld aluminum. Your not going to be able to do that with a stick welder (I don't consider tig to be stick welding).
If you can find one local, take a JC class on welding. It's worth it. If you can't do that check out SmartFlix, the Web's Biggest How-To DVD Rental Store, they have some DVD's on various welding techniques.
Hope it helps..

[dirtyverde]

I have been welding for years, the Navy made me do it. Ahyway, for shade tree folks I would suggest a MIG(wire feed) welder. Easy to learn and little upkeep. Home Depot has one in the $400 dollar range that I use all the time for the FJ, neighbors tractors, Yahama Rhinos, Trailers, you name it. I beleive it is the 400 and it comes pre-plumbed for a CO2/Argon bottle. this will allow you to use non flux core wire or you can disconnect the gas and use flux core. The Gas is worth the extra $$$ because it produces a great looking weld with good penitration. If you are going to be welding on a brand new rig you want it to look good. FYI, if you see those welds that look like a perfect stack of dimes that have been tipped over that is a TIG. They are alot more money and require a bit more skill. They are however more versitile and will allow you to more easily weld aluminum, chrome molly, etc. Hope this helps. One last thing. In my experience any welder that only has a 110v power source will not penitrate well enough to build suspension and other (need to be bomber) parts. The one from HD does have a 220 and if your garage is not wired for it you could disconnect your washing machine and use that plug, who needs clean cloths.

[pokerDawg]

I'd move this to tool thread but I'm not a mod.

I'm really itching to figure out welding. I've watched all the Expert Village videos.

I'll keep reading and watching tutorials but I guess the real learning starts after I buy a welder.

Thanks for all the info so far.

[Teikas Dad]

I wanted to learn how to weld too for around the house/garage projects. My brother runs a diesel repair business, the one thing he advised me was to get a 220v unit, not 110. 220v units have more welding capability. I ended up buying a Hobart HH187 MIG welder. I still need some practice, but I did manage to weld up a stand for the rig that is still holding together.





These two sites were a big help. Like this forum, there is a lot of experience to learn from.

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[Hog Chain]

For a good all around welder to weld up to 1/2" in a single pass, you can't beat a Miller 251 or 252 Mig. I purchased a 251 about two years ago and love it. The price may be a deterrent for you but with Mig welders, you get what you pay for. In the $400 price range you could pick up a good Lincoln stick welder that will weld the thicker metals or look for a used Mig welder. If you are going to be welding 1/4" or thicker metals I would look for a 220 volt machine of at least 185amp.