What type of welder is best to use for starting out?
Question:I just used a tank torch w/welding tip when I was younger. I would like to weld together some framework for a trailer, maybe a ladder rack for my pick up that sort of thing do I need to have a mig a tig an arc? can it be something I can plug into standard outlet. I know enough to hurt myself so I'll obviously need one that I can learn with but that will do bigger jobs once I have an idea what I am doing. I don't have much mulla either so I want something cheap or my wife will have me welding a skid plate for my but as she boots me down the street. Maybe I should just stick with torches and coat wire.
Answers:
These days you can purchase a welding machine that has ARC, MIG and TIG capabilities. These machines generally are not AC so you won't be able to aluminium weld with the TIG side. MIG is fine for aluminium, can be tricky though. Could be a little expensive but you will get three welding operations in the one welder.
When welding up your trailer either the MIG or ARC would be fine. MIG is quicker as you dont need to change rods or chip the slag away from the weld. Gas shield MIG will give you cleaner welds, but if you are going to be welding outside go gas less. A breeze can and will blow the shielding gas away from your weld leaving it honeycombed and very weak.
If you don't need show quality welds a Lincoln or Hobart wirefeed welder should do ya just fine. They do have low power 120V units. They are only good for light duty stuff.
Whatever you get look for one with a Tweco gun and make sure it is a DC welder. The AC welders are harder to use.
If you are going to weld aluminum you will need a MIG.
the new wire welders.
A what I call a stick welder is good for framework as you can set it at different settings. A mig welder is used more in body shops as it does not distort the metal . You can use either a mig or arc for trailer building, an arc would be better and just have interchangeable rods. Most arc welders run on 220 , the other will come in 110. You can weld anything with anyone of them with the right rod, arc welders are more verstile as you can use tiny rods for finer things. I eventually had all 3.
The wire welders with the flux core wire is good enough for the home guy
Main thing is you need to clean the flux off, but this is cheaper than argon (plus lighter weight)
Get a MIG welder. If you can afford it, get one that can be used with or without gas. You may get tired of chipping flux off later and want to add the gas capability. Stick welders handle bigger stuff but are not an all-around machine in the 110 volt models.
You should be able to buy a decent wire-feed welder for less than $400. You want one that uses gas and get the biggest one you can if you only have 125 volt power. If you have 220, you should go with at least a 180 amp.
You still need a stick welder for real heavy and thick steel, but normal welding is now best done with a wire-feed mig welder.
A lot of mig welders are made in Italy. Clarke, Sears, etc. Italian mig welders are very good. Of course if you want a professional model, there are many good American manufacturers too.
you can buy a standard 110volt wire feed machine for around $300 get the basics use flux core wire and you wont need a cylinder of gas saving money although in the future when your wife aint looking use gas & slick wire welds much better but the real thing is a 200 amp lincoln stick welder pipeliner
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