my welder (quick question)

[Nickabocker]

ok i have a lincoln stick welder
model number AC-225
40-225 rated amperes

Now i've been told by many people around here that my welder is to hot to weld on any of my trucks (48,49,56,67). is this true??? can anyone help me out on what i should do (begginer welder here)

Nick

[foghorn]

you need a mig wire fed welder the stick will burn big big holes in the sheet metal. You could also use a acetylene torch with a small welding tip in areas that your not gonna worry about warpage. Also with any welding stick around for at least 15-30 minutes after you stop. I have seen cars start smoking afterwards. I was using a spot welder once that had a magnet for a ground you had to grind the paint off to get a good ground. While spotting a new panel on the sound deadener got hot enough to start burning. if no fire ex around its good to keep a squirt bottle with water in it works good for getting way back in areas you cant splash water into.

foggy

[two-bit]

Are you welding sheetmetal or frames, spring mounts, ect.?
Stick on sheetmetal is not easy to do, it can be done, but it takes a lot of skill. Small rods (dia.) and low amperage.
You'd prolly have better luck with sheetmetal on the '48 than the bump. Cause its thicker, still i would get a good wirefeed or borrow one. A lot easier to weld sheetmetal with.
Two-bit

[Nickabocker]

ok can you explain more on the wire welder....i was thinking of actually of welding the 48,49,and 56 with the stick welder.....whats a good wirewelder?

Nick

[foghorn]

mig welder has a wire that comes out the end when you pull the trigger and feeds it in to the weld. All you have to do is move almost like using a stick but you don't have to go closer just left or right.
this would be a good starter for what your wanting. If you use the gas option just make sure its not a lot of wind in the area your working in as this blows the gas away. the gas helps make a prettier weld with less splatters. Just a bit of advice if you do any welding with in 2' of a window glass take a old blanket and wet it and cover the glass to prevent and berries getting on the glass and sticking and pitting it up for you.
this will make a good starter

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/C ... pricetype=

foggy

[foghorn]

I forgot to post the welder link

foggy

[boots]

I have the lincoln 135 mig wire welder. It was around $425 at lowes. I love the thing with the 75/25 gas. Can weld up to 1/4", and its does very well with the sheetmetal.

[flyboy2610]

If you are going to weld outdoors, you will want to use flux cored welding wire. Wind tends to blow away the sheilding gas when using the welder as a MIG welder. You can get a welder that will do both jobs.
I have a Lincoln unit:
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalo ... asp?p=7113
I really like it. I paid around $450 at Menards.
For welding on the frame, I think your stick welder would be ideal, but for sheetmetal work, you should get a wirefeed welder.

[flyboy2610]

Some of the lower end wire feed welders can't do MIG, and some require the purchase of an additional kit to do MIG. Make sure it can do what you want as far as the type of welding. Other than that stick with a name brand, and you should be good to go.
The Home Depot here in Lincoln sells Lincoln welders. Menards used to, but they went to Clarke.

[foghorn]

IMO miller or lincoln is the only brands to use.


foggy

[xxxtina63]

Hobart 140 here. Very easy to use MIG. Have never welded before I got this one. About $550. Worth every penny.

[Nickabocker]

ok i'm going to be getting a wire feed welder soon but for now i got to stick with the stick welder... so my question now is what type of rod should i use on the sheet metal????
my grandpa said 6011 (what i have now) should work but i thought i would see if anyone else might know a better one to use

Nick

[foghorn]

You will want the smallest dia rod you can get so as not to burn the metal up is all i can say. Then still you are gonna use a very low heat setting. I would suggest working on some junk before you started on your project.



foggy