Home  |  Forums  |  914 Info  |  Blogs
 
914World.com - The fastest growing online 914 community!
 
Porsche, and the Porsche crest are registered trademarks of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG. This site is not affiliated with Porsche in any way.
Its only purpose is to provide an online forum for car enthusiasts. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners.
 

Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

 
 Reply to this topicStart new topic
> Info on welders needed., need to buy a welder.
914_1.8t
post Nov 2 2004, 03:05 PM
Post #1


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 302
Joined: 3-June 04
From: East Bay
Member No.: 2,149
I no longer have access to a welder as my welding guy sold his, and my project is dead in the water w/o a welder. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

So i'm thinking about buying one and saw this at Harbor Freight:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/disp...Itemnumber=6098

I don't know too much about welders (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) :
1) What is difference between MIG/TIG/ARC?
2) What's better/easier to use, GAS or Electric or it possible to use a conbo of both?

Any feedback appreciated.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
914GT
post Nov 2 2004, 03:20 PM
Post #2


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,101
Joined: 11-October 04
From: Tucson
Member No.: 2,923
Region Association: Southwest Region
For auto body work I'd go with gas MIG. I don't know about the HF unit but make sure you can get the gas kit, usually runs about $100 for the regulator and different liner for the cable for non-flux wire. Tank is also extra, check your welding supply shop for prices. I don't like flux wire for car work. Gas cleaner and easier, lets you weld thinner metal. Use Argon-C02 mix or straight CO2. Latter is cheaper and deeper penetration, but argon mix best for thin gauge steel. Get a 230V unit, for 115V you have to be careful with line voltage drop at higher currents. Get the big wire spool upgrade. The small spools get used up too quick. I have both MIG and oxy-acet. I use the MIG a lot more, but gas welding/brazing does come in handy.

Before you buy the HF thing I'd go check prices at your local welding supply shop first.

TIG is best for aluminum, stainless. Not for general autobody work. Harder to use. Arc is the old stick welders. Great for heavy duty welding of pipe, chassis, heavy gauge stuff. You need a real big MIG to do that work.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Mueller
post Nov 2 2004, 03:20 PM
Post #3


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 17,150
Joined: 4-January 03
From: Antioch, CA
Member No.: 87
Region Association: None
I bought my MIG from this company (an FAQ there as well)

Salesco.com

I recommend a MIG with gas, that has a range that will go down low enough for the sheetmetal on the car, and a heat range high enough for the thickest metal you might want to weld....if you can, spring for a 220v unit, you'll be happier in the long run.

if you plan on doing a bunch of aluminum, TIG, but they cost a whole bunch more...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
seanery
post Nov 2 2004, 03:25 PM
Post #4


waiting to rebuild whitey!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 15,854
Joined: 7-January 03
From: Indy
Member No.: 100
Region Association: None
The problem with the HF welder is this (I looked at this welder last time I was there):
No heat control. There is a switch with 2 or 3 positions, the wire speed is more adjustable than the heat.
I went with the miller 135, total control of heat and speed.

Spend the extra money, you'll be happy and you'll do stuff once - well maybe twice (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
type11969
post Nov 2 2004, 03:34 PM
Post #5


Senior Member
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,231
Joined: 2-December 03
From: Collingswood, NJ
Member No.: 1,410
Region Association: North East States
just bought a lincoln sp-135 plus here:

http://www.weldingmart.com/Qstore/p001647.htm

free shipping and has the infinite controls of a miller but for a little cheaper than any miller 135 I could find.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
qa1142
post Nov 2 2004, 04:43 PM
Post #6


Whiplash
***

Group: Members
Posts: 1,514
Joined: 1-June 04
From: Lake Zurich, Illinois
Member No.: 2,140
I bought the HF wire feed w/o gas. Having run Miller's at prior jobs (careers) I have to say, buy one with gas and full adjustability. I only paid $109 with sale and $10 coupon, but, it is hard to get good bead.

buy with gas!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
airsix
post Nov 2 2004, 04:55 PM
Post #7


I have bees in my epiglotis
****

Group: Members
Posts: 2,196
Joined: 7-February 03
From: Kennewick Man (E. WA State)
Member No.: 266
Get a Miller, Hobart, or Lincoln. Get it with gas, and don't get a model under 100amps. My recommendation would be for a 135amp (or so) model that runs on 110v. This will have plenty of power for autobody work, and is good quality stuff. I would not go with a 90-100amp unit. My welder is a Hobart Handler 135 and I love it. Feed mechanism never slips or jams and overall quality is excellent. I would buy this welder again in a heartbeat.

-Ben M.
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
Mueller
post Nov 2 2004, 04:59 PM
Post #8


914 Freak!
***************

Group: Members
Posts: 17,150
Joined: 4-January 03
From: Antioch, CA
Member No.: 87
Region Association: None
problem solved.....he is going to borrow my welding setup (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/welder.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
chunger
post Nov 2 2004, 08:46 PM
Post #9


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 409
Joined: 11-January 03
From: Albany, CA
Member No.: 133
Was just about to say he can borrow mine (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
TimT
post Nov 2 2004, 08:53 PM
Post #10


retired
****

Group: Members
Posts: 4,033
Joined: 18-February 03
From: Wantagh, NY
Member No.: 313
That chicago eletric look like the first welder I ever bought... about 15 years ago... it worked well, and actually still makes sparks... I did graduate to a Lincoln welder though Ill have to check the model.. but that blue box worked well for me...
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
davidcalvin
post Nov 2 2004, 09:26 PM
Post #11


Member
**

Group: Members
Posts: 200
Joined: 31-August 04
From: California
Member No.: 2,662
Can you BUY a welder? I thought slavery was agaisnt the law.. or are you out of country?

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif)
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
seanery
post Nov 2 2004, 09:29 PM
Post #12


waiting to rebuild whitey!
***************

Group: Retired Admin
Posts: 15,854
Joined: 7-January 03
From: Indy
Member No.: 100
Region Association: None
welder, yes
weldor, no
User is offlineProfile CardPM
Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post
« Next Oldest · 914World Garage · Next Newest »
 

Reply to this topicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Display Mode: Standard · Switch to: Linear+ · Switch to: Outline

Track this topic · Email this topic · Print this topic · Subscribe to this forum

- Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 7th December 2024 - 09:31 PM
Invision Power Board v9.1.4 © 2024  IPS, Inc.
All rights reserved 914World.com © since 2002
914World.com is the fastest growing online 914 community!
We have it all, classifieds, events, forums, vendors, parts, autocross, racing, technical articles, events calendar, newsletter, restoration, gallery, archives, history and more for your Porsche 914 ...