Want to buy a Mig for sheet metal

[grumpyvette]

I'm new to welding. Want to buy a Mig for sheet metal (trunk floor) repair. Only have 120V outlets so I can't use a 220V. What do you recommend and how do I get started? Any good youtube instruction vids? Have plenty of sheet metal to practice on. Will need to make some patch panel repairs (butt welded) and spot welds.

it would be very helpful if you find a local welding supply dealer that can set you up with both the welder and tank rental and be sure to ask if they will demonstrate how too set the MIG welder up, replace wire, set the amp and wire feed speeds and do some basic welding,and like most things its money very well spent if you purchase 3-4 books with instructions and tips and actually read them before you start.
if theres a local muscle car or corvette club you may want to join it as theres bound to be some experienced members that may be willing to teach you to mig weld.
and MIG WELDING REQUIRES a tank of shield gas and the correct wire type and diameter, don,t think you can get near the quality with flux core wire and no shield gas, it will look like crap in comparison to a good mig weld.
and yes the more expensive welders ARE GENERALLY BETTER QUALITY AND ALLOW YOU TO WELD BETTER
Duty cycle is a welding equipment specification which defines the number of minutes, within a 10 minute period, during which a given welder can safely produce a particular welding current. For example, a 150 amp.welder with a 30% duty cycle must be "rested" for at least 7 minutes after 3 minutes of continuous welding.

http://www.c2cfabrication.com/wp-conten ... syear=1967
heres what a decent average MIG weld looks like

heres a few tips
If you have a hard time judging MIG wire diameter or sheet metal gauges, they make a tool for that little issue in lack of judgmental skills
even the $20 import version is accurate enough for that use!

this link might be useful
http://www.engineersedge.com/gauge.htm

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-dial-caliper-66541.html

VIDEOS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgGG-ifphkA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Bitm59uUSk

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-7B59ajDJU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8ljiax2hGw


WELDERS THAT RUN ON 110 VOLTS
THIS FIRST ONE RUNS ON 110 VOLT or 220 VOLTS, so it has a good deal more flexibility, for the future, and in my opinion is the best choice but all of the linked welders will work, on welding sheet metal, the first listed miller welder will do any welding on STEEL components in a car once you have access to 220 volts, and wiring a 220 volt outlets not that difficult
viewtopic.php?f=28&t=5

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=4821

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... ory_Code=M

http://www.htpweld.com/products/mig_wel ... g_140.html

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welders-175 ... l-gun.html

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... ory_Code=M

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... Code=l-mig


http://www.c2cfabrication.com/?s=1967+c ... pe=product



take your pick, but remember youll need a tank of shield gas, regulators a helmet,
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/we ... 46092.html
and gloves and an apron help, obviously prices and features vary, and renting a tank of shield gas generally requires a deposit of $150-$225 and $20-$30 a month, and most places won,t refill a tank thats not rented or purchased from them

wire comes in various gauges as your supplier what gas and wire will match your application


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viewtopic.php?f=60&t=10392

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[grumpyvette]

if you think that low priced, imported flux core machine, your friend has that he bought for a couple hundred dollars from some vendor like HF can produce a decent weld , let me assure you, you really need to get your hands on a decent MIG,with shield gas, the difference will astound you......yes theres dirt cheap flux core welders for $200 , but if your serious they are a waste of money.
http://www.harborfreight.com/welding/mi ... 68885.html ($200)


if moneys really tight LINCOLN makes a decent low cost mig that will do most jobs on car sheet metal

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... e=K2471-2& Category_Code=L ($675)

now anyone who puts 30 seconds thinking into this has to realize heres got to be a difference between a ($200) and a ($675) welder in quality, and a reason i went and paid $2100 for my mig,
http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... ory_Code=M

http://www.hobartwelders.com/elearning/

http://www.eastwood.com/blog/eastwood-c ... -your-mig/

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/Mig ... -tips.html

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/co ... es/mboard/

http://www.millerwelds.com/resources/im ... kills/mig/

HERES A GOOD BASIC MIG WELDER THAT CURRENTLY HAS AN OFFER FOR A FREE AUTO DARKENING HELMET

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... ory_Code=M

http://www.centralwelding.com/flyers201 ... onForm.pdf

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=9745

HERES A MIG (BELOW) SEVERAL OF MY FRIENDS OWN AND LOVE

http://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migwewi.html