I have a 220 Lincoln pro mig 180 set up for MIG myself. Its quite a bit bigger than what you are wanting, but I can vouch for Lincoln welders. For a small welder, it will lay a bead with the best of them.
Welders are just like cell phones. 20 years ago cell phones were HUGE. So were welders. The old Miller MIG's at my welding school were the size of a Volkswagon !!
I checked them out they do look like good welders but too big for what I want. I have heard good things about lincoln welders from everyone I've talked to so far so I think I'd like to get a Lincoln. As big as a VW? Those things must be capable of some pretty serious welding.
I think I worded my first post kind of wrong I don't intend to do any flux core on sheet metal as I've heard bad things about it however I may try it out as that'll probably be the thing I spend most of my time doing once I get one, just practicing different things. The only reason I want a Flux Core welder capable of MIG is because I will be doing most of my welding outside and I've heard that MIG does you no good outside in the wind, exactly why I'm going to try flux on some scrap to get a feel for everything.
A lot of guys can weld really well with flux core. I never cared for it myslef. I have always ran MIG with 90/10 gas, so that is what im use to using.
My welding instructor, a man with 30+ years in the industry, refered to flux core as "the hot glue of welding processes".
I heard many different opinions on flux core, some people love it and others tell me to never even mess with it as it's not worth the time, I have seen some pretty impressive flux welds so I'm not for or against one until I really get a feel for it myself, the only welding my dad does is arc-welding as he's a contractor but the process is a bit different with a wire feed, but I think he's tried mig or flux-core at some point he told me he'd help me out as much as he could which he has been doing with every project I have. I'm not sure which would be better for me since I will be doing most of my welding outside which is exactly why I prefer to try both.
1971fordcustom wrote:Good luck welding really really thin steel with flux! Get a 220V Mig.
He's getting a 110V MIG. Flux core was never designed to be used on thin sheet metal. Gotta use the proper process.
I get what your saying, but on the other hand I've heard good things about flux-core on sheet-metal given the right conditions(sheet metal being prepped properly, windy outside, and just being more comfortable with the flux-core), also I understand that most of the problem is clean up due to all of the splatter and the fact that you can't lay as clean of a bead as easily as you can with MIG, I understand that and truly believe it but I also think that given the proper conditions Flux can be just as good.
I use a hobart 140 with 0.023" Esab® All-State Easy Grind Carbon Steel MIG Welding Wire - seems to do good on sheet metal - I weld using 75/25 gas.
hope this helps
Stephen
Thanks Stephen, I was actually looking at this welder, I really do like it and it seems to be in a fairly comfortable price range, it's also capable of everything I want it to be capable of doing. I just wasn't sure on the Hobart brand I've heard really good things and bad things as well
papabug71 wrote:A lot of guys can weld really well with flux core. I never cared for it myslef. I have always ran MIG with 90/10 gas, so that is what im use to using.
My welding instructor, a man with 30+ years in the industry, refered to flux core as "the hot glue of welding processes".
I agree 100%!! I tried welding with flux core and it is just nasty in comparison. It is hotter, a ton more splatter, and just dosen't lay down nice at all. Shiled gas is the way to go and lays down very nicely. It is seriously a night and day difference.
Thanks, I'll keep that in mind
Heliarc is more expensive but you can weld amost anything with it including the frame, thin sheet metal and the aluminum grill. It can also weld stainless steel, copper and bronze. It's great for brazing. Mine can do stick welding too but I never do stick welding. It's an old Miller Dialarc 250. They came out with square wave welders since I bought mine in 1984, which gives more control when welding AC for aluminum. I've never used a wire welder so I can't compare but I really like my heliarc. You may be able to find a used one. If money is tight, I'm sure a wire welder would be great though.
I appreciate the help but I think it's too much of a welder for me I really like the versatility of it though and would probably consider it but it's too much of a welder and not really in the budget although the prices aren't that bad I found a few on the net and the price isn't bad if you plan on doing that much welding.
flyboy2610 wrote:
1971fordcustom wrote:Good luck welding really really thin steel with flux! Get a 220V Mig.
He's getting a 110V MIG. Flux core was never designed to be used on thin sheet metal. Gotta use the proper process.
Ya I know thats why I said good luck, Floor boards! NOW I do have to say my buddy down the road is a welder on a oilrigs and he took my lil 110 Flux/Gas welder and did some body work on his truck with the flux!
He said just got to know what ya doing and when it starts to trun red stop and let it cool down! I have a HF 220V stick welder and it does great on the big stuff. I really want a TIG Welder!!
Yea I'm suprised at how many people can do so good with flux when everyone usually has something bad to say about it, the only thing I don't like about it is the splatter and the fact that you usually have pinholes in your weld which isn't good if it's structural. I'd like to get a TIG welder sometime too just so I can say I've learned to do it, I only know a few people that can do it and most of them have been doing it all of their lives, but it really is a lot more involved than MIG and it takes some serious time to master.
Thanks for the help you guys I looked at the welder in Sears today, I thought about it and my dad talked me into waiting on it a little while to see if I see another one I want or maybe I'll find a nice deal on Craigslist
It was 4 in the morning and we had just waited for Belk to open we rode over to sears and picked up a new grinder, figured I'd check out the welders and they were probably the only thing in the store not on sale 
, Anyways do you guys have any recommendations of brands to look for or brands to stay away from, Basically I just don't want a Harbor Freight welder, especially since this is my first time welding and their welders have barely any settings and most people complain that they're to hard to dial in. Thanks for any help you guys
.
