Small welder for body work? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bigwheel15 · 07-29-2010, 08:35 PM

Shortly after buying my 81 longbed and really going over it I realized a welder is going to be something im going to have to buy. I came across a lincoln weldpack hd flux core welder for $140. Now my question is, would this be any good for small projects such as shaving handles, stake holes, welding in patch panels and the such?

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...m#BVRRWidgetID

crushermechanic · 07-29-2010, 10:44 PM

no you dont want that type of welder for body work. you want a welder that has gas set up. flux core wire makes a nasty weld and is not good for sheet metal. i would look at the new miller autoset welders they are killer.

hounddogs! · 07-30-2010, 12:12 AM

+1 on the nasty welds from a flux core wire. You'll also need to look for something with continuous control on voltage and wire speed. If it has discrete notches as you go from 0-10, keep looking.

gixxerpymp · 08-02-2010, 05:11 PM

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G27

Try that. I've heard great things about it. I'm actually on hold right now waiting to order it.

pockets · 09-20-2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gixxerpymp

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G27

Try that. I've heard great things about it. I'm actually on hold right now waiting to order it.

I too have been looking at the Lincoln from Sears. Anybody else have thoughts on it?

ERASER5 · 09-20-2010, 01:05 PM

Most of the Lincolns at Lows, Sears, ect are tapped controls. You know, the knob "clicks" as you turn it. Only the Lincoln POWER MIG has the continuous control. The know turns smoothly from min to max.

Just some FYI.

Schralper · 09-20-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gixxerpymp

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G27

yeah if ya want crappy welds. 110V sucks!
+ 24ga - .125" weld capacity? guess you never plan on welding anything other than sheetmetal huh?
I've got a miller dvi mig & tried 110V just not as good as 240.
if you want good looking welds, less grinding, etc., you're gonna wanna use Ar/Co2 mix & .023 wire. flux core if you want ratrod crappy welds.
Figure out how much $ ya got an buy the best you can afford.
Check craigslist?

pockets · 09-20-2010, 05:54 PM

in my case I do not have 220v, nor can I put one in.

LONGHAIR · 09-20-2010, 06:34 PM

110volt migs are fine for sheet metal work. They are far more convenient/compact and you don't need all of that power for thin gauge stuff.
The main thing to draw from this is that you really do want gas and thin wire.
Flux core has it's place, but body work is not it.

pockets · 09-20-2010, 07:34 PM

I can't speak for bigwheel15, but I plan on bodywork and the occasional bracket or drop member

Posted via Mobile Device

andyh1956 · 09-20-2010, 11:35 PM

see if you can find a miller cricket. they don't make them anymore, but it will do everything you want right now. it runs on 110v & uses .023" wire. mine is handier than a shirt pocket, i use it ten times more than my miller 210. i load it up & take it with me all over. it will even run off a portable generator. good luck!
andy

07-29-2010, 08:35 PM	#1
bigwheel15 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Fort Worth, TX Posts: 727	Small welder for body work? Shortly after buying my 81 longbed and really going over it I realized a welder is going to be something im going to have to buy. I came across a lincoln weldpack hd flux core welder for $140. Now my question is, would this be any good for small projects such as shaving handles, stake holes, welding in patch panels and the such? http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...m#BVRRWidgetID

07-29-2010, 10:44 PM	#2
crushermechanic Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Fort Walton Beach, Fl Posts: 357	Re: Small welder for body work? no you dont want that type of welder for body work. you want a welder that has gas set up. flux core wire makes a nasty weld and is not good for sheet metal. i would look at the new miller autoset welders they are killer.

07-30-2010, 12:12 AM	#3
hounddogs! Restoring it $200 at a time... Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NE Kansas Posts: 886	Re: Small welder for body work? +1 on the nasty welds from a flux core wire. You'll also need to look for something with continuous control on voltage and wire speed. If it has discrete notches as you go from 0-10, keep looking. __________________ Charter member of the 'Put the dimmer switch back on the damn floor where it belongs' Society '68 5.3L-4 speed LWB C20; grandpa bought it for the farm in '71. Now LS 5.3, rather than 327. DD '09 Pilot Weekender '65 Skylark 300-4V-4 speed Wife's '07 Lexus ES350; 117 actuator motors and I can't see the engine. Son's '04 F250 SuperCab 6.0

08-02-2010, 05:11 PM	#4
gixxerpymp Registered User Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Brandon FL Posts: 258	Re: Small welder for body work? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...&blockType=G27 Try that. I've heard great things about it. I'm actually on hold right now waiting to order it.

09-20-2010, 01:05 PM	#6
ERASER5 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 4,859	Re: Small welder for body work? Most of the Lincolns at Lows, Sears, ect are tapped controls. You know, the knob "clicks" as you turn it. Only the Lincoln POWER MIG has the continuous control. The know turns smoothly from min to max. Just some FYI. __________________ '70 GMC C1500 LWB Power disc brakes. WooHoo! Posi 6 Lug Dana 60

09-20-2010, 05:54 PM	#8
pockets Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 428	Re: Small welder for body work? in my case I do not have 220v, nor can I put one in. __________________ Project Bad Karma

09-20-2010, 07:34 PM	#10
pockets Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Broken Arrow, OK Posts: 428	Re: Small welder for body work? I can't speak for bigwheel15, but I plan on bodywork and the occasional bracket or drop member Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Project Bad Karma

09-20-2010, 11:35 PM	#11
andyh1956 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: thomastown mississippi Posts: 1,261	Re: Small welder for body work? see if you can find a miller cricket. they don't make them anymore, but it will do everything you want right now. it runs on 110v & uses .023" wire. mine is handier than a shirt pocket, i use it ten times more than my miller 210. i load it up & take it with me all over. it will even run off a portable generator. good luck! andy



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