Anything welding

I went through about 13 lbs of flux wire to build the front and rear bumper, combined.

A 2 lb spool of flux would be nice to keep on hand in case you run out of solid wire or gas unexpectedly and need to keep welding to get to a good stopping point or the welding supply place is closed and you want to keep working.

 

Thanks everyone for the repies.

Thanks guys, I will add the flux back.

 

I like the Tillman MIG gloves, they're comfortable without being too thick. Think I pay about $14/Pair.

MIG Pliers; honestly - I've got a set from Harbor Freight - about the only thing from them I'd use. They do fine, and were about $5..

Ear Protection; I like the foam ear plugs. I find the plastic ones to be too bulky.

DON'T FORGET A FACE SHIELD! Seriously. They may look goofy, but are key if you're going to be grinding. You only have one set of eyes.

Other people may have some different opinions, this is just what has/does work best for me.

Now get that machine and start burning some wire!! Enjoy!

 

I like to use plain old canvas back leather gloves. They are not the best, but they are cheap and I wear them out before they catch on fire.

If you use gas, you produce less "hots" than with flux core. That shit makes hot BB's like crazy. I hate using it just for the fire hazard risk. Outside welding with flux core is fine.

 

Meh..

I prefer the long cuff MIG gloves.

Have some nasty scars on my left arm from when I got lazy and welded with short cuffs..

 

Thanks guys, after you mentioned another helmet, I was looking at one of the Millers that has a grind feature.

What about wire size, it looks like .035 should be used for 3/8-1/4, should I plan on using .035 for most of the work I will be doing, or do you just make more overlap using .030?

 

If you think you will be doing body work, you might want to use something smaller. The skilled mig welders can get away with using .035 for everything. A novice might want to compramise and use .030. .030 will work fine for a bumper.

 

Whats the first rule of welding? Anybody?

Answer:

Hot metal looks exactly like cool metal. Use caution constantly.

 

Or put your shield down Haha

 

This is wrong. This is the first rule for Aluminum, not steel. Steel changes color at temperature, aluminum does not.

 

I like the Tillman's as well. The only thing I don't like about them is they don't offer a lot of insulation (like a regular welder's glove does)-so you have to be careful picking stuff up.

 

Those are better for TIG welding. Besides, at that rate I would be spending $1400 a year on gloves alone, not gonna happen.

 

Haha, leather palms!

 

If it's big, then at least one end won't be hot

 

The 180 is in the mail!

 

Sweet graphics.

 

Watch it buying that kind of stuff on Amazon. Some manufactures wont honer the warranty the items sold on Amazon because they are not an authorized dealer.

 

I use old tig gloves, work well for this reason and haven't had a problem with being too thin.

 

You should be fine then it's only when sold by Amazon that I've seen issues. I have only had my Miller Digital Elite for just about 3 years and I've only had one issue with it. Miller replaced the whole electronics and now it's pretty much a new hood.

 

I have a Miller elite (bought in 2008) and it's a great shield with no issues, but I usually stick with my fibre-metal with a 2"x4 1/4" auto darkening lens. I prefer it because it's easier to see through the clear lens (rather than the shade 3 on the miller) when you flip it up for any grinding you have to do.