Best welder for making bumper?

Okay so I'm starting to learn how to weld, and i want to eventually weld my own bumper. So whats the best kind of welder? considering i don't want be spending like 800 dollars. It would be a steel bumper!

 

Hobart 140

 

I did see that was about the most popped up on best quality!

 

Suppose to be some good shit. Goes up to 1/4" which is more than enough

 

I have a Hobart 190. I'm not a pro by any stretch, but it seems to be a great welder. I loaned it to a friend who actually knows how to weld and he said it works great, but wouldn't work well for bigger jobs(for him).

 

Seems like a reputable brand, will have to check it out.

 

It's not just the machine but the wire and gas too. And the machine is based off your needs.

I've used a Lincoln and a Miller, both are pretty great. I've read and heard a lot of good things about Hobart too.

My favorite machine that's perfect for small jobs is the Lincoln 210MP. Dual voltage, MIG, scratch start TIG and Stick all in one machine. Easy to set up too. Duty cycle is 20% and IIRC it has a max steel plate thickness of 5/16" or 3/8" when using 220V and .035 wire. Plus brand new was $1000 when I bought it. Best MIG wire I found for that machine was from Hobart.

For a production setting it's my Millermatic 252. A pure beast that doesn't slow down. 60% duty cycle, 1/2" max plate for steel MIG. Has inputs for spoolgun which is nice because I use that for aluminum welding. Rear tray was swapped out to hold two gas bottles, one for steel and one for aluminum. Oddly enough this machine doesn't like the Hobart wire and prefers Esab wire.

But like I said, base it off your needs. Many places rent a MIG welder. Might be a good idea to test a few and see what you like best.

 

Okay cool, any certain you would recommend for making the WIY bumpers? I would be building just one and maybe one more in the further future, but also just small jobs here and there after that? Is stick weld or arc weld Mig the best or suitable? I don't know much but I've read about the kinds and wondering what you can and can't use? Don't want a ugly output but i don't need the finest welds in the world.

 

Doesn't matter if you're making a bumper or a metal penis sculpture.

Metal is metal. Stop thinking you need a bumper specific welder.

Find one that can weld the material you want to use, and go.

 

Yeah forsure, its just i really have no clue about welders? Like i am just going to start learning this week and don't know what i should be using...

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/anything-welding.113957/

anything welding thread a lot to read but you'll find useful info or post up ask some question

 

Cool!!! thanks a ton

 

Good call. Was just about to link that thread too.

 

Winner!

 

I was just reading thru it also and saw this post pop up. Great thing about this forum there's thread for most things

 

I've got a hobart 190 machine running c25 gas and did this with it today:

Thats on my 20 ton press I'm building rn. Before I got this machine all I had was a Lincoln AC stick machine and made my bumper.


I don't mean to show off my truck and crowd ur thread, but just showing how u can do great stuff with an old/less popular machine. This hobart machine I got on sale for 650 and is ready for spool gun for when I get into aluminum. Great machine for the price. I also agree with lincoln 210 mp post earlier. A little pricey for what u are looking for but I use them in school and they are great little machine for what all they can do.

 

Don't know too much, but i do know that bumper looks good!

 

What if it's a thin metal penis sculpture?

 

I'd suggest a thicker one, always.

Size matters.

 

Go to class use as many different machines as you can!!

Decide just what your needs are .

Depending in what area you live some manufactures just have better support.

If I was looking for a entry level welder Hobart would be my go to choice

For most of my welding I use nothing but .023 wire hard wire.

If I need to rebuild a 5 yard bucket I change drive rolls and gun and use .045