What if I wanted to learn to weld things myself?

[Greg Kulbick]

Any idea what a good starter welding kit would be? Of course I would want tons of practice on scrap metal before I started welding exhaust and whatnot. TIG, MIG what? They have some Campbell Hausfeld welding equipment on ebay for $170 that can be made to do MIG welding if you buy the gas, it has everything else. Hey Eric, what do you have and how comfortable are you with it? Todd, same for you. I just think it'd be one of those things that I'd like to know myself and be able to do myself, regardless of who else can, just like plain old turning wrenches. Jaknow?

[Slow ET]

Should start with a MIG, youll get the hang of it within the first couple of welds. Most cheper welders are fluxcore(no gas) its decent but splatters like a bitch. Make sure if ya get that welder you mentioned it comes with a regulator and youre gonna have to get a tank/gas. My advice would be to rent a MIG from HD ($35) and practice with it. I did that two weeks ago to refresh my shitty skills.

[Greg Kulbick]

The one on ebay uses the fluxcore, but is set up to take gas, it has all the other parts needed. Renting one from Home Depot sounds like a good idea. May have to do that and practice on a few spare parts then see if I can't do the X.

[Highway Hero]

tig if you have deep pockets. Mig welders that can do flux core (Flux core cost 2x what standard mig wire costs) in town are around 300. I am getting pretty good at welding but it takes alot of time. I am comfortable with welding but getting all the pipes lined up is a pita. If you go mig (or tig) you would have to buy or rent a bottle of gas (ar/co2 for mig not sure what tig uses). I got my stuff from holox but i would call around and find the best price. My small tank last about 30 mins of welding.Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.

Eric

[Greg Kulbick]

I was thinking that once the X was on the car and all lined up, we could just do a couple tack welds to hold it together, then pull it off the car and weld it up on a bench or the ground or whatever so it would be easier to handle. I'd still at least like to teach myself on scrap one day.

[Highway Hero]

thats what i would do. Some other things to think about are how many things you can make for less $. For me its full exhaust saving $600 over what a full turbo to tip prefabbed exhaust would cost...Also intercooler pipes roll cage stb's and the list goes on. Some time i am going to convert to a side feed intake mani and maybe 2x twin turbos...good stuff

[Greg Kulbick]

If I can't pull together a few of the troops and get a hoist at the house(maybe you or Todd if either have portable welders), I may rent one this weekend just to give it a shot and see if I don't blow anything up. Of course if the K and longtubes are going in, I'll put it off and let someone else handle the welding.

[96s10]

go with a mig. if you have the money, get a miller. they're probably one of the best welders out there. also, you'll want a gas welder and not the flux core. it takes a lot of heat to melt the flux and it splatters bad. also, if you plan on welding anything heavy, like a frame or really anything above 3/16th thick, then you'll want to get a 220v welder and not a 110v. the 220 penetrates better because it generates more heat. if you really need a strong welder, get an arc welder. arc welders are very messy though and are quite hard to learn on. your best bet is to get a mig. i would kinda stay away from the cambell housfeld (aka walmart welders). home depot sells lincoln welders which are pretty good. but if you really have the money and are serious about it, then get the miller. i use a miller 220v but thats beause i have to have something strong enough to weld on the frame of my truck. welding is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. just practice with it.

[Greg Kulbick]

I would be doing small things, like exhaust. I'd leave the heavy stuff to the pros.

[slmdLS1]

Originally posted by 96s10
go with a mig. if you have the money, get a miller. they're probably one of the best welders out there. also, you'll want a gas welder and not the flux core. it takes a lot of heat to melt the flux and it splatters bad. also, if you plan on welding anything heavy, like a frame or really anything above 3/16th thick, then you'll want to get a 220v welder and not a 110v. the 220 penetrates better because it generates more heat. if you really need a strong welder, get an arc welder. arc welders are very messy though and are quite hard to learn on. your best bet is to get a mig. i would kinda stay away from the cambell housfeld (aka walmart welders). home depot sells lincoln welders which are pretty good. but if you really have the money and are serious about it, then get the miller. i use a miller 220v but thats beause i have to have something strong enough to weld on the frame of my truck. welding is pretty easy once you get the hang of it. just practice with it.

you weld too?

[96s10]

i can weld decent with a mig. it might not look the best but it'll hold. i can hold an arc with an arc welder but i'm not too good at running a bead with it.

[Greg Kulbick]

I dont care what the shit looks like, I just need it to not fall off the car.

[brandboZ28]

I wanna weld some shit!!!

[slmdLS1]

Originally posted by FL Zinc
I dont care what the shit looks like, I just need it to not fall off the car.

"If it doesn't fit, we'll fucking make it."

[Greg Kulbick]

Exactly.

[slmdLS1]

stop it greg.

[Greg Kulbick]

No, YOU stop it.

[slmdLS1]

zach and brian are no fun. haters.