Welder

I want a lot of custom stuff on the Tacoma that requires a welder. I have never welded before and know basically nothing about it. Is there a welder that I could buy to learn on that won’t break the bank? Also I don’t know that difference between ark/mig etc. just looking for some advice. Thanks

 

I'm not a pro, but I can throw out some opinions. That way the pros will have to chime in to correct me

A quality arc welder is cheaper than a quality mig welder. But the mig is much easier to use. Especially if you get a real mig welder (with gas) rather than cheap wire welder that doesn't use gas. Instead of gas, you can use flux core wire. Flux core wire is more expensive wire and doesn't weld as nice (more spatter). On steel with C25 gas I often don't bother to put on gloves unless I'm welding something thick.

I have on formal training on welding, but I grew up arc welding and got decent at it. When I needed to weld some sheet metal I tried my dad's harbor freight flux core wire welder and just made a mess on sheet metal (sheet metal is harder to weld than thicker metal). So I got a factory refurbished Hobart Hander 140, which is about as large as mig welders get that plug into a standard 120v outlet. It worked great for me. As I recall its rated for up to 1/4" steel. If you can live with the power limitations of a 140, I highly recommend it. Find the refurbs if you want to save a few $.

If you need to save $ you can wait to buy the gas bottle and start out with flux core wire. But if you intend to do much welding, I suggest you start with a mig welder that it is set up for gas (you can always use flux core and skip the gas).

A few years ago I sold the 140 for almost what I paid for it and bought a Hobart 210MVP mvp. The MVP will plug into either a 120v outlet or 240. For welding thicker metal it must have 240. On 120v power, its basically the same machine as the 140. The 210 is also big enough to weld aluminum. Even though aluminum has a lower melting point than steel, it takes much more power to weld because aluminum conducts heat much better than steel. So you have to put a lot of heat on it to keep up with how fast the heat is transmitted through the aluminum. Aluminum is also harder to weld than steel.

If you're wanting to weld 1/8 - 1/4" steel, under optimal conditions (clean and laying on a bench rather than dirty and upside down under your truck), there is a good chance that with a mig welder you can practice a little then just do it. Mig welding is by far the easiest type of welding. Spend some time on youtube and weld some scrap metal in various configurations and you'll catch on quick.

Your other choice is old tech transformer based welders or the newer style solid state transistor powered welders. The transistor powered welders are much lighter weight. But I read a few reports of the transisters failing (even on Miller), so I decided to go with transformer based welder. I may be way off with this, maybe the transistor powered ones are fine for decades. But I wanted something that will still work great in 30 years. The weight of a transformer welder is not an inconvenience for me.

that ought to be enough to flush out the welder pros to tell you what you really should do.

 

You can get a used Miller mig welder on craigslist, it'll do everything you want

 

I would highly recommend getting a Miller MIG machine even if it’s the smallest one they offer. I think it’s like the millermatic 141 nowadays. A nice machine will save you the trouble of buying things twice. Trust me I’ve learned this the hard way.

With the MIG welder you’ll need “75/25” gas to go with it. Yes there is gas less welding but it doesn’t look good. If you were welding thick plates that didn’t matter what they look like I’d say just get a cheap stick welder and be done with it. But I’m sure u want these truck pieces somewhat appealing.

After you have your machine and bottle just watch youtube - seriously. There is so many videos to help out beginners. Very easy to get the hang of MIG.

I started my fab shop with a Millermatic 140 ages ago. That original machine was a workhorse. We have stayed loyal to the brand since.

 

Go to the “anything welding” thread on here. There are lots of people to help answer your question

 

I bought a Hobart MVp210 about 3 years ago and taught myself to weld. I found it used but still new in box. Got a great deal on it. I would try to avoid a 120V only machine. Most off road fab requires a lot of 3/16 and 1/4” welding. You will need a 200 amp machine IMHO.

I also have an AHP alpha tig from Amazon. If I was buying today, and not using it for production I would look really hard at the HF line of welders. They seem to have stepped up their game.

As far as learning, I would hit up YouTube, find some videos you like and go to town on them.

 

I took a course about 35 years ago. The instructor insisted we avoid wire welders because they were too easy. He insisted we learn with gas and stick welders first. Bought all three later. Prefer the wire welder for lighter tasks; stick for heavier welding.

 

check out your local technical college and see if they offer weekend welding courses and or local makerspaces that have intro to welding classes.

 

Take a look at Everlast equipment. They make very good machines and at reasonable cost. I am a full time welder. All of my Equipment at work is Miller. I personally own an Everlast Tig machine and a Lincoln mig. Miller makes industry leading equipment, but it definitely comes at a premium.

 

http://catalog.slcc.edu/preview_program.php?catoid=14&poid=6266

see if you could swing this program into your work/family/hobby balance. instruction time from knowledgeable people will put you further ahead with your money because you will be able to know what you are looking at when you buy a machine, have a better idea to layout and prep a project, have less re-work and less wasted resources that could have been used on more projects

 

One gets what your budget can afford !

Harbor Freight has a decent line of Machines for the cost.

I would not be scared off of using any name brand 120VAC machines to do any welding on a Tacoma .

More output is always a good thing.

Schools now days for the most around here don`t teach Gas welding or brazing unless it is in a HVAC class .

Always good to get some hands on instruction

 

A lot of great responses here! A few years back I bought a cheap wire welder at Lowes. Watched a few YouTube videos, burned holes in several clothing items and had a lot of fun. I have the helmet with the automatic adjuster to darken when welding.

And if it needs to look pretty, I put the grinder to use. Sometimes I spend a lot more time grinding than welding!

 

You're not alone. There is even a jingle for this: "A grinder and some paint makes me the welder I aint!".

 

Then it goes the other way as well" i am a grinder not a welder!"

 

Mig welding is basically a metal glue gun, could not be easier. I have a Hobart 190 and it will do everything I want it to. C25 gas and .035 wire for most everything steel. I'd not really suggest a Flux core welder or most 120v welders.

Currently working on welding on Archive Garage extended shock towers. I've done Solid axle swaps, tube cross members, trailer frames, and more.

TIG may be better with Aluminium and Stainless, but thats much more of an art form then a mig welder. Although it's possible to weld stainless and aluminium with a mig (I've seen both done) it's not nearly as clean.