welding question

[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

[Kurt Combs]

I hope you don't mind a few suggestions from a guy who ran a mig for a living for seven years, here is my

Fit is everything. If you have a gap, it is hard to fill. Sheet metal is completely different than bar stock or plate when it comes to welding, it has to do with obsorbing the heat required for the arc. Cleanlyness is next to Godlyness, everything must be clean for a decent mig weld. No paint or oil in the heat affected zone. Practice on something other than your truck. If at all possible weld downhill. Don't dilly-dally, you want to go fast on sheetmetal. You do not have to worry about getting enough penetration on sheetmetal, just the opposite. It you have some brass laying around, you can position it tight behind the weld area and it will decrease the likelyhood of blow-through. Remember that the brass is hot when you go to remove it. The arc will give you a sun burn like you won't believe, wear all cotton long sleeve shirts that you can ruin without irritating your wife as the splatter will burn holes in the shirt. If you want to be really cool, spray starch on the sleeves and then iron them, then splatter will tend to run off. Be damn careful around gas fumes, especially and cab gas tank. Splatter will hit a concrete floor and roll a long way, so think about where it might go and what might catch on fire. Sorry to run on, but it is just my nature.

[Zeke71250]

Sorry to run on, but it is just my nature.

Heck, don't apologize for giving good advice. There's plenty of us that need as many clues as we can get.