welding question

[jbanks]

I'd be curious to know this as well. I can access a an arc welder for heavy welding, I just need to know what specs to get on a TIG for welding on sheet metal for our trucks.

[MAK]

Check out http://www.weldingweb.com/

[import600]

I've got a MIG, I need to find out where I can get .023 wire and some gas like Co2 or C/25. Do i need to buy a tank too? I have no idea what kind of store i can find this stuff at. Thanks

[flyboy2610]

I've got a MIG, I need to find out where I can get .023 wire and some gas like Co2 or C/25. Do i need to buy a tank too? I have no idea what kind of store i can find this stuff at. Thanks

Try a welding shop or a farm store. When you first get a tank, they will charge you a deposit for the tank and contents, then when you go to refill it, they will just give you a full tank and only charge for the contents.
When you return the tank, you will get your deposit back.
.025 wire should be readily available from Lowes, Menards, Home Depot or the farm store you get the gas from.

[import600]

Thanks flyboy, What kind of wire am i looking for??

[flyboy2610]

To weld with gas, you want solid wire.
If you're going to weld without gas, get flux core wire.

[import600]

ok, does it have a specific name or brand?

[flyboy2610]

No, not really.
I use Lincoln products, but that's mostly because I get it at the Home Depot not far from me, and that's what they sell.
Lincoln, Miller, Clarke, and then there's one with the name 'American' in it. (American Forge?)
Consumeables (the fancy term for products that get used up in the welding process) are compatible from brand to brand. I would go with the recommendation of your supplier.

[import600]

excellent info. thanks

[Zeke71250]

Is it a waste of time/money to get a basic "stick" welder? Can one of those even be used on sheet metal?

[71PA_Highboy]

Is it a waste of time/money to get a basic "stick" welder? Can one of those even be used on sheet metal?

Yep... A waste of time.

As for a welder suggestion, I would go with a new miller/hobart 130 (140) if you only have 115VAC, and a 175/180 if you have 220vac.

I have the Hobart Handler 125, and I can weld EVERYTHING I need to... if I go real big (1/2") I just make multiple passes.

Most people overkill on their purchases... but occasionally you will find yourself regretting buying a smaller machine.

That said, Stay away from the Harbor freight/no name welders unless it is a single job and you will never use it again.

hth,

eric

[flyboy2610]

Is it a waste of time/money to get a basic "stick" welder? Can one of those even be used on sheet metal?

Yea, it'll eat sheet metal unless you're REALLY good at using it.
But if you're going to do any welding on quarter inch or thicker stock, it would be a worthwhile investment.

[Zeke71250]

As for a welder suggestion, I would go with a new miller/hobart 130 (140) if you only have 115VAC

I have the Hobart Handler 125, and I can weld EVERYTHING I need to... if I go real big (1/2") I just make multiple passes.

Just wondering - you have the Handler 125, but recommend the Handler 140. Is there something about the 140 that makes you prefer it over the 125?

[Zeke71250]

Since I'm pretty simple myself, this here simple welder sounds appealing, but I don't know if it'll work for sheet metal like cab corners or floor pans. Welding sheetmetal on my truck will be the primary use for any welder I buy - I don't mind spending some extra time with a grinder to clean things up afterwards. Anybody know what gauge the average patch panels are?:

Hobart Handler® 125 EZ

The Handler 125 EZ has Hobart’s unique Single-Knob Control making it the quickest and easiest wire welder to set up and use. Just plug it into 115 VAC, select the mild steel thickness with the Single Knob Control and you are ready to weld. The Handler 125 EZ comes ready to weld 18 gauge–3/16 in mild steel with .030 in (0.8 mm) self-shielding flux-cored wire so no shielding gas bottle is required. Also designed to use .035 in (0.9 mm) flux cored wire with a .035 in (0.9 mm) contact tip.

[71PA_Highboy]

I get scared whenever someone says 'one size fits all'...

For sheet metal, I like 023 wire... and I always go solid with shielding gas... I can run 023, 030, 035... dunno if the 125EZ can swap tips and rollers and do the same...

As for the 135/140... they are the comparable models to what I have now...

I would go to a welding supply store and ask them... tell them you want to do 18, 16, 14 and 7 GA welding, as that is what is typical on vehicles of our vintage. Then ask about consumables (tips, wire, gas)... then look online for more reference info and make your decision. Ask about other brands and models... this will clue you in to what else is out there that they may not stock.

hth,

eric