im looking at purchsing a welder, as i am beginning to do a lot of body work on my current project car (1965 mgb). i am looking to buy a mig welder for their simplicity (i am quite competent with it) or maybe an arc welder (not nearly as much experiance)</P>


i know arc welders are less expensive, and i am looking to spend less than $500, but not having much experiance on them, i am thinking about going with a mig welder. is there any reason i should go with one or the other? and how hard would it be to "master" arc welding? also, what brand welder should i buy? the only ones that i have looked at are from lincon elec.</P>


thanks</P>


aaron</P>

 

Im not a certified welder, but I would go with a Mig for body work. They weld cleaner and are easier.Miller and Hobart also makes a nice product. </P>


</P>


Danny</P>

 

thanks, i'll check out those brands. anything else?</P>


aaron</P>

 

This might be of some help:</P>


Air Carbon Arc Cutting (CAC-A) - A cutting process by which metals are melted by the heat of an arc using a carbon electrode. Molten metal is forced away from the cut by a blast of forced air. To remove large amounts of metal, look for a welder that can use carbons of at least 3/8 in diameter. Consumables: carbon electrodes, compressed air supply.

Alternating Current (AC) - An electrical current that reverses its direction at regular intervals, such as 60 cycles alternating current (AC), or 60 hertz.

Amperage - The measurement of the amount of electricity flowing past a given point in a conductor per second. Current is another name for amperage.

Arc - The physical gap between the end of the electrode and the base metal. The physical gap causes heat due to resistance of current flow and arc rays.

Arc Force - Also called Dig and Arc Control. Gives a power source variable additional amperage during low voltage (short arc length) conditions while welding. Helps avoid "sticking" stick electrodes when a short arc length is used.

Auto-Link ® - Internal inverter power source circuit that automatically links the power source to the primary voltage being applied, without the need for manually linking primary voltage terminals.

Automatic Welding - Uses equipment which welds without the constant adjusting of controls by the welder or operator. Equipment controls joint alignment by using an automatic sensing device.

Constant Current (CC) Welding Machine - These welding machines have limited maximum short circuit current. They have a negative volt-amp curve and are often referred to as "droopers". The voltage will change with different arc lengths while only slightly varying the amperage, thus the name constant current or variable voltage.

Constant-Speed Wire Feeder - Feeder operates from 24 or 115 VAC supplied by the welding power source.

Constant Voltage (CV), Constant Potential (CP) Welding Machine - "Potential" and "voltage" are basically the same in meaning. This type of welding machine output maintains a relatively stable, consistent voltage regardless of the amperage output. It results in a relatively flat volt-amp curve as opposed to the drooping volt-amp curve of a typical Stick (SMAW) welding machine.

Current - Another name for amperage. The amount of electricity flowing past a point in a conductor every second.

Defect - One or more discontinuities that cause a testing failure in a weld.

Direct Current (DC) - Flows in one direction and does not reverse its direction of flow as does alternating current.

Direct Current Electrode Negative (DCEN) - The specific direction of current flow through a welding circuit when the electrode lead is connected to the negative terminal and the work lead is connected to the positive terminal of a DC welding machine. Also called direct current, straight polarity (DCSP).

Direct Current Electrode Positive (DCEP) - The specific direction of current flow through a welding circuit when the electrode lead is connected to a positive terminal and the work lead is connected to a negative terminal to a DC welding machine. Also called direct current, reverse polarity (DCRP).

Duty Cycle - The number of minutes out of a 10-minute time period an arc welding machine can be operated at maximum rated output. An example would be 60% duty cycle at 300 amps. This would mean that at 300 amps the welding machine can be used for 6 minutes and then must be allowed to cool with the fan motor running for 4 minutes. (Some manufacturers rate machines on a 5 minute cycle).

Fan-On-Demand™ - Internal power source cooling system that only works when needed, keeping internal components cleaner.

Fixed Automation - Automated, electronically controlled welding system for simple, straight or circular welds.

Flexible Automation - Automated, robotically controlled welding system for complex shapes and applications where welding paths require torch-angle manipulation.

Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) - An arc welding process which melts and joins metals by heating them with an arc between a continuous, consumable electrode wire and the work. Shielding is obtained from a flux contained within the electrode core. Depending upon the type of flux-cored wire, added shielding may or may not be provided from externally supplied gas or gas mixture. Consumables: contact tips, flux cored wire, shielding gas (if required, depends on wire type).

Ground Connection - A safety connection from a welding machine frame to the earth. Often used for grounding an engine-driven welding machine where a cable is connected from a ground stud on the welding machine to a metal stake placed in the ground. See <FONT color=#800080>Workpiece Connection</FONT> for the difference between work connection and ground connection.

Ground Lead - When referring to the connection from the welding machine to the work, see preferred term <FONT color=#800080>Workpiece Lead</FONT>.

Hertz - Hertz is often referred to as "cycles per second". In the United States, the frequency or directional change of alternating current is usually 60 hertz.

High Frequency - Covers the entire frequency spectrum above 50,000 Hz. Used in TIG welding for arc ignition and stabilization.

Hot Start™ - Used on some Stick (SMAW) machines to make it easier to start difficult-to-start electrodes. Used for arc starting only.

Inverter - Power source which increases the frequency of the incoming primary power, thus providing for a smaller size machine and improved electrical characteristics for welding, such as faster response time and more control for pulse welding.

KVA - Kilovolt-amperes. The total volts times amps divided by 1,000, demanded by a welding power source from the primary power furnished by the utility company.

KW - Kilowatts. Primary KW is the actual power used by the power source when it is producing its rated output. Secondary KW is the actual power output of the welding power source. Kilowatts are found by taking volts times amps divided by 1,000 and taking into account any power factor.

Lift-Arc™- This feature allows TIG arc starting without high frequency. Starts the arc at any amperage without contaminating the weld with tungsten.

Microprocessor - One or more integrated circuits that can be programmed with stored instructions to perform a variety of functions.

MIG (GMAW or Gas Metal Arc Welding) - An arc welding process which joins metals by heating them with an arc. The arc is between a continuously fed filler metal (consumable) electrode and the workpiece. Externally supplied gas or gas mixtures provide shielding. Common MIG welding is also referred to as short circuit transfer. Metal is deposited only when the wire actually touches the work. No metal is transferred across the arc. Another method of MIG welding, spray transfer moves a stream of tiny molten droplets across the arc from the electrode to the weld puddle. Consumables: contact tips, shielding gas, welding wire.

Open-Circuit Voltage (OCV) - As the name implies, no current is flowing in the circuit because the circuit is open. The voltage is impressed upon the circuit, however, so that when the circuit is completed, the current will flow immediately. For example, a welding machine that is turned on but not being used for welding at the moment will have an open-circuit voltage applied to the cables attached to the

 

Well I believe that covers it ! <IMG src=smileys/smiley4.gif border="0">

 

I suggest you buy a 220v MIG in the range of 150-170 amps. I own a Millermatic 175. Great machine. With MIG welders you can also weld aluminum(w/ a spool gun attachment) achieving outstanding results! Stick welders emit alot of smoke(burning flux) and should not be used indoors w/o adequate venitlation. MIG welders rely on a gas shield provided by a pressurized bottle. Very little smoke is produced. All around the MIG machine is more versatile.

 

I have a mig welder, gas welder, and i am in the process of getting myself a plasma cutter.....not sure when I will be doing that...but that is my plan...