Looks like gas MIG

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ruckman101
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Looks like gas MIG

Post by ruckman101 » Wed Oct 03, 2012 2:16 pm

It would seem a gas MIG welder would be the wisest purchase for body work like replacing my battery tray and front floor panels. Thinking of investing due to the fact that at some point new floor pans are in the future for Gretchen Ghia.

Is it folly? Should I farm these jobs out to experienced welders since I have no prior experience? POR 15 everything and caulk in some aluminum sheeting?


neal
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hambone
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by hambone » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:37 pm

$$$$$
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ruckman101
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by ruckman101 » Wed Oct 03, 2012 3:41 pm

No kidding. Cheapest cheap is still $300 plus. Quality is $700 plus. Farming is starting to sound good.


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tristessa
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by tristessa » Thu Oct 04, 2012 5:47 pm

Neal, I've got a MIG that can take gas but I don't have a bottle .. so I've been using it with flux-core wire. Not the best setup for sheetmetal work but I've done it. One of these days I'll get a tank of 25/75 mix on there, but today isn't the day and tomorrow doesn't look promising either...
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ruckman101
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by ruckman101 » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:04 pm

Ooooooo. Little bottle is $80 I think. That I can swing. Argon I think is all ya need. 25/75?


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Randy in Maine
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by Randy in Maine » Thu Oct 04, 2012 6:14 pm

Hobart Handler 140. You will never learn how to this any younger.

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Hippie
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by Hippie » Thu Oct 04, 2012 7:35 pm

tristessa wrote:Neal, I've got a MIG that can take gas but I don't have a bottle .. so I've been using it with flux-core wire. Not the best setup for sheetmetal work but I've done it. One of these days I'll get a tank of 25/75 mix on there, but today isn't the day and tomorrow doesn't look promising either...
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ruckman101
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by ruckman101 » Thu Oct 04, 2012 8:27 pm

I like that one Randy. I was a bit leery of the $200 Harbor Freight version. Perhaps someday.


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RSorak 71Westy
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Re: Looks like gas MIG

Post by RSorak 71Westy » Mon Oct 15, 2012 6:39 pm

To weld sheet metal you need to use .023 wire and gas. This is from experience. You also should strongly consider a 240V welder that has infinite controls as opposed to discrete steps. A 120V unit needs a full 15 amp circuit devoted to it. In my old garage a 120V unit would trip the breaker, the 240V Miller 180 I have, runs fine off my romax extension cord. Also look for an easy grind welding wire, otherwise the welds are a bitch to grind flush without warping the panel.
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