Author Topic: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting  (Read 978 times)

Offline leithal

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buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« on: June 19, 2009 - 09:37:26 PM »
I am soon to begin removing rotted panels from the cuda and have a pnuematic high speed cutter but I think it cuts too slow.  I will be replacing all of the floor panels from the fire wall back and would like to move faster so I am considering air shears or nibblers. I have never used either so I am looking for opinions on these tools to remove metal fast.
Also, I will be looking for a welder to do the panels so I would like some opinions on what type of mig to get.

Please give me some opinions and/or experiences with equipement you would recommend to use or stay away from.  Thank you,





wagesofsin

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #1 on: June 19, 2009 - 09:59:11 PM »
get a body saw.
actually buy the harbour frieght one, and get it cheap, at 12.99 each(with a coupon). been through 2 so far. and im on my 3rd car panel wise. thats alotta cutting.
the blades are ok, get the course ones. im not kidding here. go on the cheap. get a air chisel, and some spotweld cutters too. goggles, and some decent work gloves.

now, as for the welder, i use a clarke 180en. and i can make just about anything auto related with it.
on my 3rd race car, 6th car panel wise. thing works great.

cost me 400.00 to my door a few years ago, i bought it to replace my millermatic, and i would do it again in a heartbeat. i work my tools, and am not easy on anything i own.

add 100.00 for a argon/co2 cylinder and a regulator to actually weld properly. another 200.00 for good gear. i.e. good helmet(auto darkening) i paid 50.00 on e-slay 3 years ago, and mine works better than my buddys miller helmet!! haha

get some good gloves, and a cape . cheap suntans suck.

this stuff has served me well. will it serve you as well?
i cant say, but i know i use it every day, and all day.
im sure i missed stuff.

best of luck in any decision you make.
 
« Last Edit: June 19, 2009 - 10:02:39 PM by wagesofsin »

Offline alphabuck

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #2 on: June 20, 2009 - 05:51:38 AM »
best be getting any parts you think you may need down the road for that clarke product now.  they are kaput. 

wagesofsin

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #3 on: June 20, 2009 - 07:56:43 AM »
best be getting any parts you think you may need down the road for that clarke product now.  they are kaput.


?

looks like they are still in business to me.

Offline alphabuck

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #4 on: June 20, 2009 - 09:11:38 AM »
clarke tools went bankrupt in january they are no longer with us.  we've been closing em out at my place about the only thing left is a couple migs and a plasma cutter that i cant sell new for 750 bucks.

Offline brads70

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #5 on: June 20, 2009 - 12:09:27 PM »
I have a Lincoln mig and a tig that I am very happy with! The mig I have had for 13 years and has done a TON of work. If it quit today It wouldn't owe me a thing! My grandfather had a good saying " If you can't afford to buy the best, then wait till you can" I always remembered that! And it has served me well!
« Last Edit: June 21, 2009 - 11:31:47 AM by brads70 »
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

wagesofsin

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #6 on: June 20, 2009 - 06:47:37 PM »
clarke tools went bankrupt in january they are no longer with us.  we've been closing em out at my place about the only thing left is a couple migs and a plasma cutter that i cant sell new for 750 bucks.

wow , bummer, well, i have about 6 years abusing the little beast without a hiccup. so, if she dirt naps on me, like brad said, she wont owe me a thing.

Offline Bullitt-

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #7 on: June 20, 2009 - 11:06:30 PM »
I was needing to cut some Stainless Steel and tried different things that did not work well, went to the hardware store & got an abrasive disk for cutting steel for my 7" circular saw...Worked great, I could see this being used on relatively flat body panels that are being discarded.. if your wanting to keep the panel the HF body saw is OK but about 100X slower. And a spot weld cutter is priceless as it does not damage the underlying metal.
Wade  73 Rallye 340..'77 Millennium Falcon...13 R/T Classic   Huntsville, AL
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Offline torredcuda

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #8 on: June 21, 2009 - 08:42:34 AM »
I also bought a fiber blade for my skill saw to cut tubing and it works good.For general metal cutting an air hammer with a few different tips,a die grinder or whizzer with a 3" cut off wheel and a spot weld cutter.As for a welder get a brand name as I had an off brand that worked good for years but they also dissapeared and I could no longer get parts for it-Miller,Lincoln,Hobart.
Use the panel cutter tip on the air hammer for cutting large rough sections staying away from the multi layered areas and edges then use the spot weld cutter,whizzer and chisel tip to finish up.I`d rather buy quality tools once then cheap crap three or four times-in the end you might even save money.
Just an example of a panel cutter-
http://www.mytoolstore.com/oldforge/olf01.html
« Last Edit: June 21, 2009 - 08:45:47 AM by torredcuda »
Jeff
72 Barracuda 340/4spd  Torred
70 roadrunner 383/auto  In-Violet
70 Duster 360/auto drag car  (Petty Blue soon)
04 Ram 2500 5.7 Hemi

Offline leithal

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Re: buying equipment for resto welder and metal cutting
« Reply #9 on: June 22, 2009 - 09:54:27 AM »
Thanks everyone for the tips and suggestions.  I hope to begin picking up some of these tools this weekend.  My father-in-law is going to let me borrow his engine hoist so hopefully I can get the entire drivetrain out and begin the metal work within a couple of weeks.