Need Welding Info

[JeffAARy]

I'm going to try installing a 4-speed hump, frame connectors, and some patch panels myself.  Are the 110V home outlet welders sufficient, and is the flux core wire ok to use or do I need to splurge for the gas?  Thanks in advance.

-Jeff

[422STROKER]

I have a Flux and plan on getting the gas based on my usage with the flux.  I tried a gas welder and with a little practice was able to lay a decent weld.

Tom

[MoparMan440]

I've never had any issues with my Lincoln 110v. I would use gas though. I believe you should always use gas when possible. I was once told only use flux-cored if the conditions warrant it i.e. out door welding and its windy. Not sure if its true but it makes some sense and I've never done otherwise. Plus you'll always get cleaner welds with gas vs. flux.

[dutch]

windy & gas don`t go together very well... the gas will be blown away and leave you with a weld full of holes.
what voltages do you guys use overthere?  here the lowest is 220v , and this is ok for welding up to 160/170 amps,( more than enough for sheetmetal ) but I most use a 380v welder 100-300 amps.   go for gas welding, I would never use anything else...

[gkring]

I'm going to try installing a 4-speed hump, frame connectors, and some patch panels myself.  Are the 110V home outlet welders sufficient, and is the flux core wire ok to use or do I need to splurge for the gas?  Thanks in advance.

-Jeff

For what you are welding the 110V welder is perfect. You also need to splurge for the gas. Flux core makes a mess with the weld splatter and slag. Anytime you start a bead and stop you have to clean the weld off before starting again. That goes double for something you are going to paint. With patch panels and sheetmetals you will mostly be spot welding in sections to keep the warpage down or to keep from blowing holes in the thin sheetmetal. I only use the A and B heat range on my welder for sheetmetal work. Now if you want to start welding brackets on rear ends or get much past 1/8 inch metal you will start wishing you had a 220V.

[bb71challenger]

I agree with Greg. The 110 is perfect for body work. I learned to use mine on flux core and after finding a little bottle and having it filled I will never go back to flux core again. It is messy and crappy looking. The gas shielded welds look nice. I would go further and say not to go cheap on the gas and pop for at least 75/25. Argon is such a better shielding gas imo. Good luck and give us some updates.

[elitecustombody]

agreed with everyone above, don't waste your money on last century equipment, you can pick up a used MIG set up on craigslist fairly cheap nowadays, Miller would be my first choice

Stefan

[Topcat]

 

Model 180 or equivalent Features. Just right for what we all do.

[ksierens]

   I did all the welding on my car with a 120 amp 110v Lincoln.  You will definately need gas though since like has already been said, you can not weld thin metal with the flux core wire.  I did use the flux core for the rotissery I build, but you may have to make multiple passes with a lower amp unit to get a good build up. I would also recommend Twnety-Gauge brand wire.  It is great for thinner metal welding, and grinds earier than the Lincoln brand wire.

[426HEMI]

Good Info for sure.  A good 110 would be the best to wield on sheet metal. 

[e-tek]

Good info....except for the mis-info!!! Just a couple things I'd like to clear up:
Yes Mig with gas is better, but you can use Flux core for thin gauge metal. It's just not as pretty.
You don't have to clean the slag when you stop-start with Flux core. You just continue on.

[bb71challenger]

Making it crystal clear, Mig with 75/25 gas is MUCH, Much, much better than flux core. Flux core is not just not pretty, its downright FUGLY!!!!   

[elitecustombody]

Making it crystal clear, Mig with 75/25 gas is MUCH, Much, much better than flux core. Flux core is not just not pretty, its downright FUGLY!!!!  

agreed eleventy billion times

[MoparCar]

gas all the way. Also check the pawn shops, especially this time of year. I saw a Lincoln 110v unit a couple of weeks ago really cheap at a pawn shop.

Wes

[mikerallye]

Goody goody,    I am the welding engineer among us (AWS certified) . Here is my 2 cents: Yes flux core or FCAW (flux core arc welding) is designed to be used out doors because the flux inside the wire (when heated) creates a dense heavy gas pocket with slag as a byproduct to ensure impurities are not introduced into the weld puddle.  This gas is ideal for windy conditions. GMAW (gas metal arc welding) or mig is best indoors because the lighter less dense gas will blow away easily outdoors. Flux core is better on mill scale and rust, and even small amounts of paint. It is also better on thicker gauge metals. For car bodies and their thin gauge metal, GMAW or mig with gas is by far the best. The best gas is debatable. Most suppliers will suggest 75% Argon 25% CO2. I disagree and recommend 92% Argon 8% CO2. Reason: As CO2 increases, so does penetration. On thin gauge metal like car bodies, CO2 creates too much heat and penetration, therefore, causing melt and burn through. Just go to any welding factory (like I do often) and see what they use on the production lines and in their robot cells i.e. Johnson Controls uses 95% Ar 5% O2; Budd Tallent uses 92%ar 8%Co2; Thyssen Krupp and Martinrea use the same respectively; Dana uses everything though; because they weld on.....well everything, including the new aluminum framed Corvette. Oh, try small gauge welding wire too: I suggest .023 up to .030 but .035 can be used by the more skillful welder. ER70S3 is good for light rust.