Right tools for the job?

Hey people,
Im sick of buyin stuff from companies that pay half the price to make their stuff. So I wanna fabricate my own rear bumper/tire carrier and I have all the info from previous threads. Thats right I SEARCHED. :compwork:

But the problem is that I dont know if I have the right welder for the job. Can a Lincoln 100 weld metals up to 1/4 inch thick? And are there any other welding tips from all u fabricators out there?

Most companies don't think up,design and make products to break even, Try welding a few scrap pieces together, start with some spot welds dial your heat in and move on to some beads, When you buy your material get extra. I always buy more just in case and If I don't use it all I just put it in safe keeping for a future project.The welder is small but slow and steady it'll do.

cool! thanks for the advice! My friend probably just sucks at welding cause he gave it a shot and I think a baby could have broken his weld! So I was doubting the ability of a lincoln 100 on 1/4 inch steel.:cheers:

Bevel the material that you are welding. Push the puddle instead of dragging it. You can also preheat with a torch for better penatration.Always clean your welding surface as small welders do not burn away debris and contaminate the welds

cdhowell said:

Bevel the material that you are welding. Push the puddle instead of dragging it. You can also preheat with a torch for better penatration.Always clean your welding surface as small welders do not burn away debris and contaminate the welds

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That's all good advice. I haven't stick welded in years, my mig is so much more user-friendly. With any form of welding, get good advice, and then practice, practice, practice. One good drill is to bevel and weld a couple pieces of 3/16 or 1/4 stock or angle together, let it cool, and then clamp it in the vice and try to pound it apart at the weld with a hammer. When this becomes very difficult and bends the base material quite a bit before the weld starts to seperate, you'll know you're getting good penetration.

smokeeaterXJ said:

Hey people,
Im sick of buyin stuff from companies that pay half the price to make their stuff. So I wanna fabricate my own rear bumper/tire carrier and I have all the info from previous threads. Thats right I SEARCHED. :compwork:

But the problem is that I dont know if I have the right welder for the job. Can a Lincoln 100 weld metals up to 1/4 inch thick? And are there any other welding tips from all u fabricators out there?

Click to expand...

either go 220 mig
or a 220 buzz box.

A 140 amp will work fine with 1/4" I doubt a 100 will do it.....or it will take a very long time.