I've finally decided that my XJ means too much to me to bondo my rockers or much anywhere else important. I need to cut it all out and have decided I'm going to take on the project of welding 2x6 rockers in place. I haven't welded since high school, but did pretty good with the MIG welder then, so I'm looking to get back into that. I also need to repair an area on my door jamb, so I need to be able to weld sheet metal. I'm looking at this welder currently:


Do you think this will be a good welder for me? My garage is small, I only have a 115v 20A outlet out there. I also could use some help getting a gas cylinder. Looking at Tractor Supply, they seem pretty hefty in price! I might look into renting a cylinder. What's a good size tank that's not too huge but won't run out frequently, either?

Any recommendations for welding to the Cherokee's sheet metal at the door jamb (what gauge metal it might be, etc.) I've read that .030 wire is good to use for sheet metal in my research.

Open to all suggestions and ideas with help of this major project that I now need to get done! Thanks for your help

-Noobie Welder

 

This little welder has a much more attractive price point, and fairly decent reviews...
http://www.tractorsupply.com/en/stor...luxcore-welder

 

Hobarts are made by Miller and are nice. Without having 220 in your garage you're going to be limited. Get the biggest one that will run off 120 and a bottle of 75/25 Argon mix. I bought a 120 cubic foot bottle so it would last longer and was a better deal to have it refilled than an 80. Go to a gas shop, not TS for gas. That and a good roll of wire should have you practicing and getting good in no time.

 

Doesn't look like either of those come with the gas kit. You would need to purchase the conversion kit along with the tank and all that. For a good new 115v setup with tank, hoses, and regulator will probably run you close to $700. Craigslist isn't a bad way to go...

 

Stick with gas shielded if you want clean welds, flux is welds.

My Hobart 210mvp was pricey, but it has dual plugs so does both 110 and 220. I don't have 220 in my garage yet, but that'll be $300 or so. Not that hard of a hit.

Moral of the story, go gas and as big as you can afford. Get a good name brand and if you ever want to upgrade selling for cash for upgrade shouldn't be tough.

 

I paid $700 for my Hobart 210 mvp. Dual plug, gas regulator, and spool gun compatible.

 

Conversion kit? MIG wire, regulator, more tips, and line right?

 

Not sure on the hobarts, but I paid around $100 for the gas kit for my lincoln, not including the tank. It didn't have the gas hookups on the welder.

OP I would consider something like this.


minus the tank it has pretty much everything you need. Although the mask kind of looks ****ty...

 

My $40 helmet from HF does pretty good.

 

I've had one of the HF auto darkening helmets, think I picked it up for around $40 on sale. Worked pretty damn good for the price.

 

I got my skull welding helmet from HF.

Head band sucks, mine broke.

The window still works and auto darkens just fine, tho.

 

Only complaint I have on the HF helmets is they don't hold a charge very well after a few days. Takes a few good arc's before they auto darken. The century helmet I have kicks in much faster.

 

There was an auto darkening/grinding helmet I found advertised on FB for like $60. It was a name brand too!

I wish I'd bookmarked the link. :/

 

I run a Hobart Handler 140. I always wish I'd saved a little longer and got the 180.

Mine has gas hookups but since I frequently have to drag it outside I just run flux core for now.

 

You will always find the need for longer cables.