Welder for light duty automotive work?

[plain garage]

I tinker with cars in my spare time, but have not done any fabrication work. I'm looking for a welder for general use around the garage. Specifically, I need a welder that can handle stud welding (for pulling sheet panel repair) as well as MIG welding (steel and stainless - rust repair, exhaust work, etc.) Is there any light duty models that won't break the bank?

 

[zkling]

At what level is the bank broken? A Hobart, Miller or Lincoln all in one 140 will most likely do everything you need, but not much grow room. A 180 would be quite a bit better but require 220v. A 200 class multi voltage input compact machine would be ideal and give you quite a bit of grow room with portability when needed.

 

[healing]

At what level is the bank broken? A Hobart, Miller or Lincoln all in one 140 will most likely do everything you need, but not much grow room. A 180 would be quite a bit better but require 220v. A 200 class multi voltage input compact machine would be ideal and give you quite a bit of grow room with portability when needed.

Sound advice

 

[ed_v]

If just doing body work, check out a Hobart 140. If also doing chassis work, check out the Hobart 190. Both are good units for the money.

Ed

 

[plain garage]

Thanks for the quick responses.

At what level is the bank broken? A Hobart, Miller or Lincoln all in one 140 will most likely do everything you need, but not much grow room. A 180 would be quite a bit better but require 220v. A 200 class multi voltage input compact machine would be ideal and give you quite a bit of grow room with portability when needed.

I'd like to stay in the $500 range, when ready, I'll upgrade to the big leagues.

If just doing body work, check out a Hobart 140. If also doing chassis work, check out the Hobart 190. Both are good units for the money.

Ed

Will the 140 do stud welding? How does it hold a pin (I'm talking in reference to the Autoshot 4550 stud welder)

 

[azhatchback]

Motorgaurd stud welder. I have not used used this but If you want your MIG to weld studs then try this:

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-stud-welding-kit-27849.html

If you want to do stainless and other metals your better off getting a TIG.

 

[creativecars]

For welding studs to do body work... Get a stud welder, they work well and you don't have to drag out the MIG welder to get it done.

For the MIG any one of the big 3 will work great for a long time. To do bodywork be sure to get a real MIG (metal inert gas) not the gasless **** that needs flux core wire. (different story) And especially if you are going to do structural work. E70S6 is the only wire to use, argon/co2 mixed gas is what you want.

 

[ATC]

A buddy of mine is very happy with his Lincoln 140.

Me? I bleed Blue. Miller is all I will weld with

You can't go wrong with any of the big 3 (Miller, Hobart, Lincoln)