Bob and list members,
What size mig to you have and how thick is the heavy metal you weld with
it.
I plan to get a mig, but can't decide whether I should get a big mig vs
a small mig and a stick welder. I can get a stick welder like the
Lincoln "tombstone" for about $230.00, so the question becomes whether I
should spend the extra $230.00 to get a larger mig and will the extra
$230 get me as much as a stick welder.
There are also some issues with the service in my garage. I have 40 amps
which I think is plenty for the stick after it is up and running, unless
I'm welding some very thick material, but there are some issues about
start up -- will the cheapo stick welders like the Lincoln tombstone
draw the unit's full rated 50 amps on startup???
Don Malling
> Rudy
> I would support what Wayne said. For a first time welder MIG has the
> quickest learning curve. If you can learn from my mistake I would offer the
> following;
> I bought my MIG welder to do body work on a restoration. I bought several
> books and read up on welding and then took MIG in hand and went to town on
> body work. MIG is simple enough that I could turn out acceptable joints with
> some effort. It wasn't until two years later than my wife came up with a
> project that required welding heavy metal ( angle iron ). Until then I had
> only done sheet metal.
> I found welding thicker metal to be far easier and slower than sheet
> metal. If I had started welding the heavier metal first I would have
> developed the basics far more quickly and mastering the welding of
> sheetmetal would have been much easier with far fewer burn through.
> If you do go MIG,
> 1) get some angle Iron first and start welding with that. 2) Use lap joints
> to join sheet metal and leave the butt joints to a professional.
> Bob
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "rudyeb" <rudyeb@adelphia.net>
> To: <triumphs@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Tuesday, September 09, 2003 9:37 PM
> Subject: welder question
>
>
>
>>Would someone please tell me the difference between MIG, TIG and heliarc
>>welders? What is the purpose of using inert gas (CO2 or Argon) when
>
> welding?
>
>>What type is best all around for restoration work: welding frames, body
>
> sheet
>
>>metal etc.?
>>Thanks,
>>Rudy
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