noob welder

[Dream240]

Okay, well my zenki was officially totaled by the insurance company yesterday. Got the car back last night and started pulling the front end off. No frame damage so I'm fixing it myself.

The only thing I've never done is weld! So my question is for you welders out there.

With regards to the front radiator support, when installing the new one, would this arc welder suffice for the tack welds?

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=55909)

Also what else would I need, if anything to get this weld job done? Any info would be greatly appreciated.

thanks guys.

[redline racer510]

theoretically it will work, but what you want is a mig or flux core welder

[Chrischeezer]

don't waste your time and money on that crap...

post some pics we can get a good idea of the damage, and what will require welding.

[DoriSaruMark]

redline's right. If you can get a hold of a decent MIG, it will make life a whole lot easier. you can tack, then perform a full pass. life becomes even more sweet if you can get a mixed gas setup for your MIG instead of flux core. just keep practicing on some scrap metal until you get the hang of laying a decent weld bead. Practice makes perfect!!!

[WISH ONE]

you can probably find a nice lincoln or miller used on craigslist for the price of this that will do a much better job.

[D.Adams]

I have a class b welding certification and welding isnt hard but takes time to learn how to do it properly. I do not reccomend getting anything from harbor freight all there welding equipment is junk. Home Depot has a sale on lincoln welders rite now get a lil 110 flux core mig wolder nothing to big unless you plan on welding cages. You might want to buy a right angle grinder with some cut off wheels and wire wheels. Changing the core support isnt to hard drill out the spot welds straighten whats bent and then weld the new one in using the OEM spot welds.

here are some links
Lincoln Electric Weld Pack HD Feed Welder - K2188-1 at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100031840/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)

Ryobi 4.5 in Angle Grinder - AG452K at The Home Depot (http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1vZ1xr5/R-100529101/h_d2/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053)

i hope this helps. if you want to see some of my welding work i have posted in the fabrication thread think its 2 pages back from the last page.

also if you need help pm me and ill give you my number just incase you have any questions.


also youtube is your friend there are but loads of instructional welding video's

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TmS6Ec0NzXQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHqdQ-JGEs8

[S14DB]

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=98871)
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94056)

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=94164)
- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=97503)

Still going to suck(flux core), but at least they are MIG and not Stick. Not going to find anything decent under $600.

[MELLO*SOS]

Avoid all that BS from harbor freight. You should look exclusively at Miller, Lincoln and Hobart. Get at least a "135" model MIG, you want one that does gas/shielded. Flux core is not what you want for clean welds -- if you're welding indoors/garage without wind and welding under 1/4" material a 110v MIG shielded machine will work fine for just about all your needs. If you're going to step up and do cages, or thicker material you should look at a 220v machine such as the Miller 211 which is both 110v and 240v.

My Millermatic 140 with Autoset was like 700 a year or so ago. The autoset isn't needed, and the same model without it is like 4 or 5 hundred bucks. Look on craigslist and see if you can find a local machine that's used.

Feel free to post up any questions or machines if you want feedback.

I would highly suggest checking out this welding forum: WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts - Powered by vBulletin (http://www.weldingweb.com) there is a great amount of info there and tons of n00b weldors posting "what machine should I get". Read it before you make any choices so you don't paint yourself into a corner.

Good luck, and btw you're going to get absolutely addicted to welding.. Just letting u know ahead of time :)

[Dream240]

wow.... I think I have no idea what I'm getting into...

I'm really just looking to get my front end put back together and be done with it. And since I have only about a 1 1/2 week window to get this car up and running again, I might have to have someone come over and do it for me.

Don't get me wrong, I'm definitely interested in learning to weld, but I don't really have the time or resources right now to invest in taking up a new hobby.

Thanks alot guys for all the helpful info, I'm definitely checking it out for future knowlegde, but I kinda need an immediate weld job to get my car back on the road.

Does anyone local want to make some extra cash? Or anyone know a good welder that lives in the Inland Empire?

Thanks alot guys for your time.

[Dream240]

Okay well I actaully found someone locally that selling the Lincoln Model K2188-1 for 200.00 so I'm gonna try to get that one.

Then I can start practicing on my crunched front end parts! :)

[SR240DET]

airgas has a rent a welder program.

[clark]

well does $200 include a tank? you CAN do flux core without the tank...

[Dream240]

I'm pretty sure it's just the welding unit. No tank.

So flux core welding is crap? Would it be good enough to be able to get my car back together and then reinforce it later?

[HAWAII]

nice, make sure you have all the literature that came with the welder, does it come with the gauges so you can weld with GAS. Once you started welding with gas, you will never weld without one.

Harbor freight is good for welding accessories get some brushes/gloves/a welding jacket and visor. you do not want hot metal on any part of your body my friend

[S14DB]

well does $200 include a tank? you CAN do flux core without the tank...

Weld-Pak's are Flux only.
I'm pretty sure it's just the welding unit. No tank.

So flux core welding is crap? Would it be good enough to be able to get my car back together and then reinforce it later?

It spatters like crazy. The flux never vaporizes properly and throws slag all over the place.

If all you are doing is installing the core support and have no interest in welding in the future you are probably better off calling up a mobile welder to stop by.

[Dream240]

Weld-Pak's are Flux only.


It spatters like crazy. The flux never vaporizes properly and throws slag all over the place.

If all you are doing is installing the core support and have no interest in welding in the future you are probably better off calling up a mobile welder to stop by.

Yeah good point. Thanks.

[MELLO*SOS]

S14DB is right on. Also 200 for the weldpak isn't that great of a deal, it's 270 brand new. I would keep shopping if I was you. You'll definitely want a gas/shielded capable welder so you're not stuck with flux forever. Yes flux core would work for what you want, it just won't look the prettiest. I would suggest calling a local mobile weldor and having him stop by and weld what you need for now... Good luck

[Jonnie Fraz]

Lots of rental companys rent welders. This may be the time you want to pay somone to do it this time and rent a welder to practice before you make a purchase.

[godrifttoday]

ill go weld it for you for some cash! ill take my mig welder pm me if interested, the way i see it unless u buy a decent welder u can get some decent results. i bought my welder at homedepot for 450 bucks 150 or so for tank 50 for a big roll of welding wire, helmet gloves ! it was about 700 bills or so. so think if its even worth it.

[D.Adams]

If i still lived in cali i would bring my welding trailer down there and do it for almost free some beer and a can of chew would be good. but good luck. i would prep everything so your time welding is real low. you can rent a welder from home depot for 35 bucks a day.

[redline racer510]

The lincoln welder that I have does mig and flux core, and let me tell you that you wont get a good looking weld with flux core, but it will get the job of fusing two pieces of metal. For the love of god do not get a harbor frieght welder. I had my worst experience with those things. They cant even accurately adjust power and you will only mess things up especially if you are new to welding.

[koukimonster139]

falllen in love with the tig but just an opinion if you want a hot sexy weld with much deep penetration



and it makes you look sexy