thanks for all the information guys, yeah i need a welder to weld up my floor tonsss of rust underneath


so a lincoln, miller, or hobalt 110v will do just fine?

 

Yes, go with one of the name brand welders. I have used a miller with a CO2 bottle with good results.

The biggest contributor to success is practice. Start practicing with thicker metal and work to thinner. Start your actual projects with things where your life won't depend on your welds. When you think you have it, practice some more.

Happy welding!

 

Well I've been welding for 2 years now and I'll throw some suggestions in....

I've done all forms of welding, and MY personal favorite is Oxy-Acetylene. If you feel comfortable with keeping two high pressure tanks containing oxygen and acetylene in your garage DO IT. The results from this method are amazing, you get giant fat welds that look awesome, and you don't have to pay a pricey electric bill. The only thing that sucks is paying for your regulators, torch, igniter, and the two tanks when you first start out. The tanks don't empty quick either. you can run the same ones for a LONG time before they need refills.

With buying an arc, tig, or mig welder you're going to have problems burning through metal especially if you're a beginner. Oxy-Acetylene welding takes more time and patience to achieve your weld, anything electric welds really quick so you don't get as good of a bead. Plus with something like Arc welding, you have to hammer off slag which can be difficult when welding things on your jeep.....

Anyways that's just my two cents on it, i'm not that experienced compared to some people so odds are they will tell you something different from what I'm saying. lol

 

the millermatic 211 auto set would be great for you. range from 24ga to 3/8. can run 120 or 230 power but only has a 30% duty cycle. that meaning you can only weld 3min out of 10min straight. the auto set part would help you bein a beginner. all you do is set it to the size of wire you have and the thickness of metal. you can still set it manually if you want. you can run flux core or gas.
i have the 212 auto set. does the same stuff but runs a 60% duty cycle.

when doin sheet metal work you want to run gas. outside work you want to run flux core. it wouldnt be a bad idea for you to take a class at a local college really if you have the time to do so. i started back in HS and also had a certified welder at home to teach me.

bender i use the model 3 bender from trick tools.

links below

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/...c_211_autoset/

http://www.tricktools.com/model_3_bender.htm

 

iv got a jd model 3 bender that iv used to make about 50 roof racks with so far and i love it. another little gadget ill be getting soon is a digital readout by tube bandit. its nice if your making alot of bends but not practical for most people.
another thing youll need for making a roof rack is a tube notcher. look at the one by williams lowbuck tools. its a lot faster and i mean a LOT faster to use than a regular notcher. iv had both and the lowbuck design is quick clean and notches up to .120 wall. the guy makes the tools himself in a garage and doesnt market his stuff very much and keeps it low key but hes got great stuff. just google williams lowbuck tools.

as for a welder... well im spoiled with a miller 185 220v so i cant complain

 

This is a pipe bender;


It bends pipe really well, but not tubing.

This type will kink tubing really well.

 

here is a good link from pirate on how to help that bender. scroll 1/2 to 3/4 way down the page.
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...om+pipe&page=5

 

I just bought a hobart ironman this will do anything you want for welding,I also have a stick welder the miller thunderbolt xl you can do quite a bit with that, and for real heavy stuff I have an old lincoln torpedo style gasoline welder. Just keep and eye out and you can pick them up left and right around hunting season and just before tax season.I have to say this my wife let me get the ironman, cause she s standing right here lolOh yeah the ironman and torpedo are 100% duty cycle the miller is 60% You can run a mig outside just stay out of the wind or block the wind so it doesnt blow your shield gas away.,and for brazing (oxy/ace welding) its ok but not nearly as strong as any type of welding .

 

thanks ill look around and see if any good deals pop up around me

 

Thanks, I bookmarked that link!

 

i have bent .250 wall tubing with a hf pipe bender aka "tube kinker" though. its so thick it wont kink

 

we'v had a harbor freight one for atleast 3 yrs now and beat the crap outa it and it's still going so imo i think there pretty good

 

Ive got a small lincoln mig wired for 220v. we've had it since '95 and its still kickin ****. We weld everything from .060 sheet metal to 1/4 plate(it doesnt like it but it does it pretty well) id say it gets used about every 2 weeks or so. definately money well spent. hard to keep gas for it when you got a homeowner bottle. In my experience Stargon gas welds better than plain Argon.

 

As retired Shipbuilder/boilermaker, for what it's worth, the following points.
: Safety: Get some gear that can stand the test of time, leather coat and apron and long gauntlets (gloves) (green Hide or Chrome tan). Flash activated welding mask,you can see the work with the mask down,(smaller risk of 'eye flash') and you can now get them with Diopta eye correction. saves fogging up your glasses...Cotton coveralls or levis (no sythetic stuff), it burns, cotton cloth cap.
: How to: Do a short local college course, (lots of gear you wont see out in suburbia) + instructors, some times old construction guys that have forgotten probably more than you may learn, not being rude here just that so much today is Cad and robot run... this generation 'operates' not many 'do it'.
: Reference: Fabrication and welding... The bible of this craft... Lincoln's
Book of Welding (manual)... old copies abound...(ebay) and Industry Journals.
: Welders: Hard to go past Lincoln... I've been welding with them for years, The 'Bullit' is their great DC machine. I ran one off the PTO on one of my FJ 45 Toyota Pick-ups. Depends on the nature of your work and the stock,(material) since you will probably be fabricating with materials from 1.6 mm to 6-10 mmm. 160 amps ac is adequate.. S/S:Tig or mig (gas)...S/S: Mig(gasless)... Aluminium: Mig AC/ DC (reverse polarity...Chrome Moly: Mig/Stick (but is better stress relieved post welding) Mild Steel: Mig/Stick..( cheapest and better control and broader range of rods(sticks). And you could learn to gas weld ( oxy/acetalyne or propane... Regards. Bonehunter in Oz...PS..Big alternators from wreckers or boot sales can make very handy DC welders. Info (uncle Google)...Popular Mechanics etc.

 

if your going to making the roof rack out of steel, then tig or stick works. but if your doing aluminum then stick to mig. i use a harbor frieght Fluxcore in the barn and thats how i built my rack..