At 06:14 PM 3/25/2006 -0600, JAMES STONE wrote:
>I would like to do be able to do light duty home and automotive welding -
>mostly sheet metal, and nothing more than 1/8 inch thick is ever
>likely. I have never done it before, but have been reading The Welder's
>Handbook and would like to purchase an inexpensive MIG Welder to get me
>started. I doubt I will use this tool more than a half dozen times a
>year, so I really don't want to pay any more than I have to. On the other
>hand, I imagine too cheap a welder will make learning a lot harder, so I
>am looking for a good compromise.
>
>Harbor Freight currently has a dual MIG for sale. It would allow me to
>work with or without gas, and at $200 it is in the ballpark of what I
>wanted to spend. Does anyone have any experience with this or similar
>setups? Is it a good 'starter'?
For "starters", consider going to school. I think the class I took cost
$300 a quarter but gave me hands on instruction on stick, gas, mig, and tig.
Also instruction on using cutting torches, carbon arc, and plasma. This
class also gave me access to a press brake, shears, ironworker, sheet metal
tools,
and so on. It gets you hooked up with local people who are metal
workers. You'll be welding or learning 5 hours a week which will help you
get in the
time needed to learn. Trust me, it's not the equipment that makes you a
weldor, it's your skill with the equipment you have available. It takes
time and
it really helps to have someone at your side to observe and teach.
Another recommendation is to buy one of the major brands; Lincoln, Miller,
Hobart are the standards and someone here will probably recommend HTF.
By buying a major brand, you develop a relationship with your local dealer,
some are better than others, but it's one more ?expert? to consult.
I started with gas, moved to tig, tried stick, and finally mig. I'm still
not a skilled weldor, but in using all these processes, I've come to really
appreciate gas.
Gas will cut, weld, braze, and form a variety of metals. You can vary the
heat by changing torch position. Gas also can be used as a "hot
wrench". Your mig is not as versatile. There is a TestaRossa being
restored for Pebble Beach here in the Northwest. It will all be done with
gas. The steel tube frame will be gas welded for authenticity, but the
aluminum body is also being fabricated with gas. They use gas on sheet
metal because they can anneal the metal which allows them to use hammers on
softer welds rather than grind on the harder weld of the mig.
I wouldn't choose sheet metal for my first project. If you're thinking
rust repair, I'm thinking you're going to see some holes. I've certainly
seen more than my share. I have one new fender on my pickup because I
thought I could repair a rusty one.
The above is my opinion, your experience WILL be different. The only thing
I'd be sure to do is to talk to people in your area who are knowledgeable
and observe the welding process in person. One of the dealers I visit has
a MIG welding station all set up and ready to try for anyone who walks
in. Book learning is helpful, welding is ultimately hands-on. The more
experience you have will make your choice easier.
Steve Shipley
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