Bonneville America Forums Forums Off Topic Discussion Forums Lounge Welders and welding machine reccomendations

Okay so recently I've got the bug to build a T-Bucket roadster,something I've wanted to do since I was about 13 years old.Now since turning 60 this year I figured I'd better get to it.They'll be plenty of welding to be done for sure.I've stick welded since high school and although I'm a bit rusty I have faith in my ability with a little practice.I want to go with mig welding and need to buy a welding machine(duh).
What would be my best bet cost wise, quality and so forth?

Pretty hard to go wrong with a Miller, Your local welding supply shop will help you decide what size machine you need. P.S. If your building a T bucket from Speedway or such there should be very little welding involved, If your building from scratch (frame)then you will need a fairly expensive machine.

Don't get on of them el cheapo Homey Depot or Lowes welders them be come from China.
Pay more for a Miller and make sho it come from USA.

I use Miller mostly, Lincoln makes good welders too. Check out Hobart also. Are you going to do all stick welds? MIG is clean and easy and makes sheet metal work a breeze in comparison to trying to stick it

this one is my favorite for stick, super compact and will burn a rod as good as any other, plus it's dual voltage

http://store.cyberweld.com/mima150sstwe....friLRoCw9Dw_wcB

I'm working on one (T-Bucket) it's been on the back burner for awhile. I figure when I get to old to ride I'll have the bucket to drive. I'm following plans from CCR but You live close to Tenn. give RPM (Ron Pope Motorsports) he sells parts as well as rolling chassis.

As far as welders, get one that will burn 3/16"-1/4" Once you get one you'll find yourself using it all the time, so get a good one.

Miller makes a 220 volt rig that does pretty good if you use 75/25 argon/carbon dioxide.

All you guys are leaving out a proper power source, welders suck juice like crazy and trying to weld while browning out is very frustrating and non productive. I have a 200amp service just for my machines. Although I have been scolded that 100 amps would have been plenty. Trust me on this, 50 amps are barely usable and will heat up your entire system in a bad way with continuous use. Even my Miller 110v wire welder will not function properly with a 25 foot 14 gauge extension cord. Match up the machine you procure with the power source you can provide.

Thanks all,it looks like Miller gets the nod.Keep the info coming!

RYK is right about your power source. I use a 208 three phase red D arch stick welder on a 30a breaker with 50' of 8 gauge wire.

It gives me the ability to run my electric bill up to double in a couple of days.