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XJoshua
May 7th, 2007, 23:32
Well ive taken interest in fabrication work to help ease the pain on my debit card. went to the libarary today and borrowed some books on how to weld and explain different methods. so far ive learned all are strong if you put in the prep work time. right now im looking at a gas mig welder or a tig. reasons all the tig work i see is unbelivable breath taking and gas mig because i dont want to deal with flux core.

now the books mention sizes of metals that will recieve proper penetration and it all sounds like jibber jabber to me. id like to be able to fab my own bumpers and skids and make my own control arms one day or be able to do axle swaps without any outside help. so i figure it will be cheaper to buy what i think ill need in the future. being what i listed above.

which will be the best for what i would want to do? my first starting project will be half doors so i need something that has variabe amperages for thin and thick which both machines have. also something strong and both do that since mig is more mass production and tig is for high quality yet tig will run me less money in the end according to the books.

so some help on which way to lean would be great. i do understand that prep work determines the outcome of projects. ill probally buy used and just buy new parts instead of a new harbor freight welder.

CSaddict
May 8th, 2007, 04:01
I TIG everything I possible can. I have a Thermal Arc Pro Wave 185. Its fully programmable. Its awesome. You can get it with the FirePower name on it and save a bit. Its the same exact thing.

http://www.asedeals.com/firepower_tig.html

BRIANHO13
May 8th, 2007, 05:28
I have a lincoln pro mig 140. It works great on materials up to 1/4" and runs on 110v. Great little welder, I welded my beadlocks on with it, they have no leaks.

Matthew Currie
May 8th, 2007, 06:31
Generic welder advice: get the best Miller MIG you can afford.

fender
May 8th, 2007, 08:33
Check out your local community college. I took a class last year and got an opportunity to try TIG, MIG, stick and torch welding and getting some experience with each. Well worth the money.

woody
May 8th, 2007, 08:34
The Miller student package (bottom of the page in the link) is a good resource for $25

http://www.millerwelds.com/education/tools/#books

xj4fun
May 8th, 2007, 18:19
Generic welder advice: get the best Miller MIG you can afford.

X2 - After doing a fair amount of research and talking to several weldors, I opted for Millermatic 210 :D .