Welder recommendation for body panel work

[mikeinsjc]

I'm sure this topic has been covered before, but figured some new stuff may have come out by now. If one were going to buy a new welder, strictly for body panel work, what would you guys recommend? (Preferably a novice-friendly unit!). Am getting tired of depending on others for this kind of work, and am willing to take the plunge and learn to do it myself.

[Chryco Psycho]

spend the $ to get a decent wleder , Miller , Lincoln are the best , Hobart is OK , make sure you get t with the Gas hook up to wled the steel the best way , you will also need fine wire for sheet metal work . .025 - .028

[Stacked440]

I use a smaller Miller, nothing special just voltage and wire speed regulator nobs.  As far as TYPE of welder Mig would be best for body work, and mig is VERY easy to learn.  I had same deal as you, i just learned how to weld a little over a year ago just from getting a welder and taking advice from the place we bought the welder from.  CC has a good recommendation as far as wire size.

[Cuda Cody]

Gotta aggree with that!  Miller or Lincoln.

spend the $ to get a decent wleder , Miller , Lincoln are the best , Hobart is OK , make sure you get t with the Gas hook up to wled the steel the best way , you will also need fine wire for sheet metal work . .025 - .028

[zerfetzen]

I'm also new to welding. Question:

What kind of mask do you recommend?  I see they have lift-up hat-masks, ones with lift-up visors, and ones with sensors that auto-darken.  For car work, what should I buy?  Thanks.

[MyMopar]

As far as the welding hoods go, don't skimp out there.  The shades are there to protect your eyes, and you cn't replace those (yet).  If you get an auto dimming helemt, find the ones with the fastest response times.  Working in bright light will help if you get a non-auto dim.  Also find ones wit the largest viewing windows, it will make life easier.  Of course I say this becuase I use my welder for more than just my car, but you will find yourself wishing you had a bigger window someday.
http://store.cyberweld.com/janeaudaleww.html
http://store.cyberweld.com/speedglas9000x.html

You can get a cheap Harbor Freight helmet, but IMO it is not worth the risk to your eye sight.  You can use the specs off the helmets in those links as a good base for things to look for.  Ebay has some good deals on helemts from time to time.

[Killer_Mopar]

I'm also new to welding. Question:

What kind of mask do you recommend?  I see they have lift-up hat-masks, ones with lift-up visors, and ones with sensors that auto-darken.  For car work, what should I buy?  Thanks.

I bought a Hobart Auto-darkening "hoods" off eBay and it made a world of a difference. I highly recommend an auto-darkening mask and like MyMopar said, try finding the fastest one you can. Trust me you dont want to get flash.....

[common 27]

I,ve looked at several lately and if your only doing sheet metal go with a 120 volt unit such as a Miller 135,you should be happy with it they also make the auto  helmets. their better one also has the bigger window also practice,practice practice!

[Grancoupe]

It was brought to my attention not to use the flux core wire on body panels. Any inout on this from the welder guys? I was told to use gas mig welding because the flux core will carode after some time. A good tip if its true.

[Steve]

Miller or Lincoln. DO NOT buy one at a big chain store as they tend to be the more generic versions. Find a welder with infinite heat and speed control. I use the Lincoln 135 SP. Get the gas kit setup. I have been using the "20 Gauge" brand wire from Perfect Circles for panel welding. It's a .030 wire that you use with gas. It is designed for body panel and thin metal working. Otherwise, I use .025 solid core for sheet metal and .030 solid core for heavier metals if I want to use gas. I use .035 flux core for thick stuff.

Get an autodim helmet.

Read up all you can one sheetmetal welding. I learned a lot from the various body shop forums. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Invest in good grinding discs. I use both 3" and 4 1/2" grinders. I use solid discs and flap discs.

[MyMopar]

I,ve looked at several lately and if your only doing sheet metal go with a 120 volt unit such as a Miller 135,you should be happy with it they also make the auto  helmets. their better one also has the bigger window also practice,practice practice!

While this statement is true, the 120v should do fine for sheetmetal.  I bought a 120 (not a top brand) and was unhappy with it (probably due to it not being a top brand) and when I had the need to weld something a bit bigger (thicker) I couldn't do it (actually you can but I was concerned about proper penetration on a critical component).  If you know for a fact that you will only do body work welding and never anymore, then get the 120v, but a very good one. 
But, if you even think you might get into some type of fabrication then go with a 220v.  Of course if you can't get 220v into your garage then it is a moot point.  I got a Millermatic 185 w/welding cart for $700 including shipping. I think you can get them cheaper w/o the welding cart.
Here is why I stepped up to a 185 (and a learning experience):

Those tire carriers run from $400 - $600, cost me about $60 in metal and another $20 in consumables.  Not bad.  The welder almost paid for itself duirng the first time of use!

[Cranker]

If you can afford it get the 220v model. Spend the money once and you will have it a life time. I have both 220 and 110, since i got the 220v model i dont use the 110. Any of the big three will work for hobby use. If you were to use it continuly then i would look at miller or esab but for the hobbist hobart,lincoln,centry will all work also. I have the Hobart for about a year and it has worked flawlessly. I have welded 20gaude to 1/4" plate all with no probs. Good luck with what ever purchase you make. You can look at the Hobart forums for a lotta info on all brands.

Crank

[zerfetzen]

I was looking around online at lincoln and miller 135's.  Question: At mylincolnelectric.com, I was comparing the 135 models.  The cheapest two have tap controls, and the more expensive two have continuous controls.  What does that mean?  Also, someone locally mentioned harbor freight to me as a good place to get this stuff cheap.  Where's the cheapest place you know of to buy a cheap mig welder?  Thanks.

[common 27]

I'm not sure where to buy a cheap one; cheap but I'd go to a dealer and get a good one instead.Our local dealer has two set up in his back room to let people try them out and they have everything you will ever need from the gas to the wire to repair parts if needed. The difference from buying online is very small and I'd rather keep him in business to assure he'll be there in the future if I need him then save 30 bucks .Just my 

[common 27]

One other question how much is a cheap welder? I'm going to upgrade to a Miiler 175. from a Hobart/GenEx 120 and thinking of selling it