I want to get into welding...What should I buy? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

DamnedButDetermined · 09-01-2003, 12:57 PM

I know I will need a welding machine, gloves, and a mask, but I am not making very much money right now so I want to weld on a budget.

I am wondering what is the best form of welding for a beginner? I will be making go cart frames, playing around with bicycle frames, maybe go as far as welding automotive parts such as strut towers, exhaust systems, and turbo manifolds. I am not sure what kind of welder will do all of these aplications. Also if you know of a good website were i can learn about the differences between the welding machines and tips on welding techniques I would be very much appreciative.

I look forward to hearing from you all!

-DbD-

DamnedButDetermined · 09-01-2003, 02:43 PM

$500+ holy crap...I was looking at ebay at all of their welders and there seems to be quite an abundance of Arc Welders that can be had for very cheap. What is wrong with this form of welding that you recommend using MIG? Would arc welding be too weak for automotive products?

fastpace · 09-01-2003, 03:09 PM

My uncle was a welder, but he stopped. What he specialized in was making burgular bars for people. I am not sure where he got all of his material, but he had tons of it. You can always start there, it shouldn't be hard looking for clients. But it is just an ideal.

jojothemonkey · 09-01-2003, 05:33 PM

Look around for forums or bbs for welders I know there has to be some of those around. Also if your not to strapped for cash try a local college community school for a welding class, or books too. yeah books would be good.
As for equipment try local auctions, check in your newspaper for auctions and classifieds.

Fastback180 · 09-01-2003, 09:36 PM

Ohhhh god, how I want a TIG welder of my own.
My friend is going to be attending a welding school in Ohio.

GTGuy06 · 09-02-2003, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DamnedButDetermined
$500+ holy crap...I was looking at ebay at all of their welders and there seems to be quite an abundance of Arc Welders that can be had for very cheap. What is wrong with this form of welding that you recommend using MIG? Would arc welding be too weak for automotive products?

If you think about it $500 bucks for a NEW mig welder is really not that bad,I think my dad is going to get one soon for working on our 90 Toyota Pickup - swapping in a 350; on ebay they maybe cheap but you dont know how the person who owned it before you did anything to it, and you cant forget that some people on ebay take the money and dont send you a product or they might use photoshop to make it look really good when in reality it is a P.O.S

deviousKA · 09-02-2003, 12:28 PM

If i were to suggest one thing about mig welding, it would be not to buy used. You get what you pay for. Many of the good-ol-brands of welders have gone korean-style with their parts. cambell housefield, lincoln, craftsman(lincoln) are some that i would avoid even though i have a lincoln. Miller is hands down the best manufacture and thats all i would buy. Really though you should practice welding and get in as much time as you can with the welder-type that you like. Arc welding is not weak but is a bit more industrial and wouldnt be used on automotive as much as mig.

TNathe · 09-02-2003, 02:27 PM

You can buy a stick welder type new for around $200 at Home Depot that would be great in letting you get down the concepts of welding. It however is really hard to weld really thin metal like exhausts with that sort of welder, but would be great with most other uses. I learned on a stick welder and once you have welding with that down pat and decide to get some sort of wire welder you will never go back to stick because its that much easier. But for now I think a stick welder is best for all-around welding.

720_datsun · 09-02-2003, 04:00 PM

well when your in the military like me. you have a full auto shop on base for free. that includes welding. please believe il be making my own crappy parts for my 240 when i buy one.

09-01-2003, 12:57 PM	#1
DamnedButDetermined Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Jax, Fl Age: 43 Posts: 637 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	I want to get into welding...What should I buy? I know I will need a welding machine, gloves, and a mask, but I am not making very much money right now so I want to weld on a budget. I am wondering what is the best form of welding for a beginner? I will be making go cart frames, playing around with bicycle frames, maybe go as far as welding automotive parts such as strut towers, exhaust systems, and turbo manifolds. I am not sure what kind of welder will do all of these aplications. Also if you know of a good website were i can learn about the differences between the welding machines and tips on welding techniques I would be very much appreciative. I look forward to hearing from you all! -DbD-

09-01-2003, 03:09 PM	#3
fastpace Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, TX Age: 43 Posts: 689 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: fastpace Feedback Score: 0 reviews	My uncle was a welder, but he stopped. What he specialized in was making burgular bars for people. I am not sure where he got all of his material, but he had tons of it. You can always start there, it shouldn't be hard looking for clients. But it is just an ideal. __________________ life is what you make of it!!!! "well, I go out, I do the practice, I think about it and I concentrate on one small thing I can change that will have an effect. I make that change then I go out and drive to my maximum." -Ayrton Senna

09-01-2003, 09:36 PM	#5
Fastback180 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: NoVA at heart Posts: 939 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: Fastback180 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Ohhhh god, how I want a TIG welder of my own. My friend is going to be attending a welding school in Ohio. __________________

09-01-2003, 02:43 PM	#2
DamnedButDetermined Zilvia Addict Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Jax, Fl Age: 43 Posts: 637 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	$500+ holy crap...I was looking at ebay at all of their welders and there seems to be quite an abundance of Arc Welders that can be had for very cheap. What is wrong with this form of welding that you recommend using MIG? Would arc welding be too weak for automotive products?

09-01-2003, 05:33 PM	#4
jojothemonkey Leaky Injector Join Date: May 2003 Location: in that one place where there is stuff Age: 42 Posts: 79 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Look around for forums or bbs for welders I know there has to be some of those around. Also if your not to strapped for cash try a local college community school for a welding class, or books too. yeah books would be good. As for equipment try local auctions, check in your newspaper for auctions and classifieds.

09-02-2003, 12:28 PM	#7
deviousKA Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Idaho Posts: 437 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If i were to suggest one thing about mig welding, it would be not to buy used. You get what you pay for. Many of the good-ol-brands of welders have gone korean-style with their parts. cambell housefield, lincoln, craftsman(lincoln) are some that i would avoid even though i have a lincoln. Miller is hands down the best manufacture and thats all i would buy. Really though you should practice welding and get in as much time as you can with the welder-type that you like. Arc welding is not weak but is a bit more industrial and wouldnt be used on automotive as much as mig.

09-02-2003, 02:27 PM	#8
TNathe Zilvia Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Dade City, FL Age: 41 Posts: 173 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You can buy a stick welder type new for around $200 at Home Depot that would be great in letting you get down the concepts of welding. It however is really hard to weld really thin metal like exhausts with that sort of welder, but would be great with most other uses. I learned on a stick welder and once you have welding with that down pat and decide to get some sort of wire welder you will never go back to stick because its that much easier. But for now I think a stick welder is best for all-around welding.

09-02-2003, 04:00 PM	#9
720_datsun Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Peterson AFB Age: 40 Posts: 436 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	well when your in the military like me. you have a full auto shop on base for free. that includes welding. please believe il be making my own crappy parts for my 240 when i buy one.