im an experienced mechanic but when it comes to welding well lets say im a bit clueless ive done lots of exhaust work with wire feed (at work) has turned out well but it ends there im not trying to jump right into welding panels on my car without advise and practice here are questions i have the welding im going to need to learn varies from sheet metal (body panels) to quarter inch plate (motor mounts crossmembers etc) first off i can only shell out for 1 welder to do all and it has to be somthing i can get for reasonABLY CHEAP if anyone has info to help me in these areas if you can let me know the best type of welder for these applications etc.. any other tipps
Get a miller autoset 180. You will love it. It's worth saving up to get a nice 220 machine, otherwise you will kick yourself later. Then just start burning.
My 2 cents: craigslist is your friend. I got a low mileage Lincoln 110v mig setup with bottle for $200 It won't do 1/4" , but I think 3/16". It's not a miller, and its not 220, but it was in my price range and came with wire and tips and extra stuff. I also know I can use it for a couple years and re-sell it for $150 in a day. If I needed it for work I might buy new, but otherwise I think used is the way to go as long as you find a clean one. Same thing with a bottle, I'd keep an eye out for one in craigslist and just check the date stamped on the bottle. Even if it's out of date, that only adds an extra $20 when you get it refilled, at least here in so cal. A Mig size bottle here in socal new and full is almost $200.
Check the local classifieds for a used Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln 220V, 200-250 amp MIG. That size will do all you will normally need for automotive work. Tractor Supply had a new Hobart 210 awhile back for around $1K. That being said, I started out with a 220V AC buzz box stick welder and a 110V, 150 amp Daytona Mig till I could afford to spend a little more. Used the stick for frames and mig for sheet metal.
The 180 is a great welder . I agree with the search the C. list . There are a ton of people selling good stuff cheap to pay their bills . Be patient and take your time and you will find a good used one ! I got a good old Lincoln 225 stick welder for $125 , came with 10 lbs of sticks , good gloves and a good helmet .
craigslist is only so good because you are fighting every other tom dick and harry for the real DEALS. I bought my hobart 175 with no bottle for $150 from a tweaker construction worker who was doing some work on my old shop building and heard I was looking for one. so, ask around and ask as many people as you can. you want a 175+ mig if you are doing 1/4 on a regular basis(you really use as thick as 1/4 for crossmembers?). a 110 machine will work for some stuff but the 220 power helps in a lot of positions. also check out smaller inverter TIGs. even the harbor freight inverter tig will burn 3/8. oxy acetylene rigs are probably the single most versatile tool you can get though they are slow and you will be doing multi pass on thicker stock. hobart/lincoln/miller will all last you a while and replacement parts are easy to get.
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