When I get back from Army AIT school, I think Im finally going to take the plunge and buy a MIG welder. Most likely a Miller, but cant decide which one would be the best for me. The most Ill be doing is building a car hauler style trailer, other then that fabrication, sheetmetal, deer stands/feeders stuff like that. Thickest Ill probably ever weld is 3/8s.
http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/onephase.php

Next question, once I get it, what poor soul wants to help me learn how to use it? Corey?

Ive got a 74 Ford Bronco thats been in the family longer then Ive been alive and needs some TLC, lots of panels need to be replaced so I think it'll be the perfect project to learn on, and its going to get an LSx powerplant too.

 

Not a whole lot to it. As far as solid wire with gas the weld will be clean and I think it is easier to weld with. Just when you get one practice, practice, practice. The thinner you get the harder to weld without blowing thru but it all comes with practice.

 

I'd be interested to learn also Cody. If it helps, when I get back in town, I have a Lincoln 145a mig welder you are more than welcome to use.

 

IMO try to find one with a dial **** on the heat setting, instead of the standard 4-5 position ****... Reason being sometimes 2 is too cold and 3 is too hot, the "infinite adjustability" is a nice luxury...

I could teach you but i am not that good at welding ....

 

Oh and skip the 110v welder and just go ahead and get the 220v...

 

Practice on heavier metal then work your way down to thinner metal. thin metal is easy to burn holes in. like corey said get a 220 welder. i pretty much taught my self.. its easy once you get ahold of it and stay on a steady pace. id show ya the ropes but you guys are to far away

 

Cody, id recommend something like this:
http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...8799_200328799

Very good machine at a good price!

Hobart and Miller are pretty much identical
http://millerwelds.com/products/mig/...c_180_autoset/

 

I have a lincoln, I did read some bad opinions on Hobarts thou on Pro-touring.net, when i asked about them... I have never used one before... I have read nothing but great things about Millers, I just could not afford one when i bought mine...


Another thing to look for in a welder is the Duty Cycle (for example: weld for 30secs, rest for 5min)... 220v is higher than 110v... Millers have the highest duty cycle, hence the more expensive price tag... Lincoln's and hobarts are next, then the Harbor freight specials...

 

Thanks Mark, I may take you up on that
Thats why Im waiting till I get back because Ill be buying a house so Ill finally have a 220 plug to use otherwise Id have bought one a long time ago
Like Corey Ive read a few bad things about Hobart and I get a badass discount on Miller through a buddy at Airgas in Waco so its not quite so bad. I fully expect to pay 2 grand for my setup with small bottles, but I may get the itch and get the big boys and be done with it.

Thanks for the help.

My dad is a good welder but he lives in NM and doesnt have time to coach me I can get plenty of scrap from my jobsites to practice on maybe Ill play around with different metals and psot pics, maybe I could learn with a little internet coaching from you guys. I just dont have time to go take a class or anything.

 

Get the 220. I've had a Miller 120v and a Hobart 175 220v and it has a Miller gun. The Hobart 187 is the newer version. The infinate controls is nice like BlackGMC said, but they are usually pricey and not a must. You can make up for it with line speed, wire diameter, and how fast you move.

And what the hell is Army AIT school?