Very nice! I bought one of those 5 years ago, and have NEVER used it, but I have a nice cart for it and a mask.. and I pay $85 per yrar for the privledge, of have a bottle of gas for it... Hope you use yours
-- Edited by 427carl on Thursday 18th of February 2010 06:35:09 PM
Nice i got a lincon from CTire about 4 year ago i used 2 11lb roll of .024 when i did my 65 And used 1 11lb roll when i did my challenger .Get the gas it night and day it welde way better . Have fun
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other cars 1941b Dodge Truck 1935 Ford 3 window coupe 65 Acadian Covertible on going 73 Challenger Ralley
I am currently going the "cheap" way, and have burned more holes than you could imagine. When this roll is done, I am getting gas......wait......you know what I mean!!!!lol
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John
1972 Pontiac Lemans (daughter's car) 2005 Pontiac Grand Am 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
All ready got the tank. Went all out even bought the cart. I have never welded so it will be a learning experience. Wish me luck I really need it still never told the wife. Easier to beg forgiveness than get permission. I'm sure you have all been there before.
-- Edited by 57poncho on Thursday 18th of February 2010 08:58:01 PM
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
I will wish you good luck from a "newbie" welder as well. I had never struck an arc until I bought my '72 Lemans. Since I started I probably have 5 lbs of wire into the car, some good some bad. The best part is knowing "You" did it. Remember clean metal welds better, I tried the through the rust thing, and got "burned" many times. Good Luck....... :)
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John
1972 Pontiac Lemans (daughter's car) 2005 Pontiac Grand Am 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
I bought my new toy about 3 years ago, a Millermatic 175 220v. Love it, great machine, have gone through 3 small bottlles of gas so far.
You've bought a good machine in Miller, I hear the Autoset feature also works well, and can help a new welder right from the get go. Grab some scrap and practice away! You'll be surprised how easy it can be. I tried to do most everything with .030 wire, but .024 is best for the really light stuff. You'll likely want both wire sizes and the gun tips for both.
Like 'bernie says, it's so satisfying when you can weld it yourself...just don't let your neibours know you have it.
Have you bought a good autodarkening helmet?
Cheers, Mark
-- Edited by cdnpont on Thursday 18th of February 2010 10:01:50 PM
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65 Laurentian post, 67 Grande Parisienne 4 door HT.
Bought an Esab Smashweld 180 ( 220V ) second hand many years ago and taught myself how to use it. It's really not that difficult but is very rewarding when you can say " I did it all by myself " I also rent my gas bottle and it gets a little expensive for the limited use it gets.
Question: Are we now able to buy the gas bottles outright at places like TSC store? Let me know as this is probably a more cost effective way to go.
Hey vern. if you have some old fenders or parts of cars that you can practice on that would be the best thing you could do for sure. and if you can clean both sides of the material when your going to weld that helps too.. if it's rusty your going to introduce oxidation and contamination to the weld and it will be really porous. some guys "lap" the new sheet metal, but the recommended method is to "butt" the materials and then small "stitches". the smaller the wire... the better for bodywork.
good on ya for doing this.. I've been to scared to take the chance.. but after the bill from the body shop on this last project.. i'm going to "giver a go" next time.
also.. cant say enough about "covering up". the guys on TV welding in short sleeves and "tacking" with no helmet are implying its OK to do so.. IT'S NOT. I've been welding for over 20 years and I have enough scars on my arms and neck to say.. where your protective clothing. even if it's 30 degrees outside.. I where my leathers or a good cotton long sleeve shirt.
thanks for the input guys still need to get a helmet. The guy where we picked it up said the one at Princess auto for $80. is all we need. May try my hand at it this weekend.
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1957 Pathfinder deluxe 4 door wagon 1961 Pontiac Parisienne bubble top Traded for a Harley sorry guys.
The helmet I bought was an auto-darkening unit....works well, just keep in mind of how the one you are looking at is powered (our welder at work advised me) Some are solar powered(recharge as you weld), the one I have is battery powered, but there are many different ones out there. The one to avoid is the helmet that uses "watch" style batteries, as you use them up pretty quick, and they can be pricey. Mine uses AAA batteries, and I bought rechargeables....should last as long as the helmet. I have one pair in the helmet, and always have a charged set in the house, because you never know when they will die!!! Best of luck with your purchase......oh yeah buy all sorts of CHEAP clamps and vise grips, never know where or when you may need to use them....or accidentally weld to them......
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John
1972 Pontiac Lemans (daughter's car) 2005 Pontiac Grand Am 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac
I'm still in the stone age and welding with a small arc. but i had an older clark welder and easily welded a bug up never use anything without gas. if you do it right you won't even need bondo.
