Finding a welder for auto body and frame
Posted: Tue Jul 17, 2018 9:04 pm
Hello,
I have some older vehicles with rust issues that I'm going to be working on and looking around for a welder to weld on the bodies and frames and sub-frames.
However I'm not certain what sort of welder will suffice. My past welding experience has been only with 1/4 to 3 inch mild steel using high amp stick welders.
I do have a higher amp AC / DC 240 VAC welder, however there's currently no 240 VAC service where I'm staying so I'm looking around for a welder preferably a mig welder that would be able to work from a 120 VAC 30 amp service I have a RV connected to.
I've read a 140 amp TIG welder draws up to aprrox. ~31 amps from a 120 volt outlet using # 10 wire, requires a 30amp breaker.
I have #8 3-wire heavy duty cord ~1+ inch in diameter going from a 20 amp breaker going to a receptacle outdoors where I can upgrade the breaker to 30 amps.
While using the welder I would't use any other AC equipment or appliances, so not to overload the 30 amp service.
Anyway I'm trying to figure what sort of welder to look for as the welder to weld body sheet metal, frame and subframe I'm not certain how many amps would actually be required i.e. the welder amp range would be required for autobody and frame welding.
I see Home Depot has lots of welders from around 70 amps, some are in my price range are made by Lincoln Electric.
e.g.
88 amp - welds from 24-Gauge to 1/8 in. thick
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electric-Weld-Pack-HD-Feed-Welder-K2188-1/100031840?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-100596739-_-100031840-_-N
140 amp stick welder:
(rating: Input Current: 39 Amp at 115-Volt) I think is a rating when the welder is set at it's maximum of 140 amps.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/AMICO-POWER-Amico-140-Amp-Stick-arc-Welder-IGBT-Inverter-DC-Welding-Machine-115-Volt-New-ARC-140/304254524
Then there is Harbor Freight has a 125 amp (Chicago Electric) mig welder for $109.00. Not certain if this would suffice and last if only used once in a while?
Duty cycle 90A AC @17V, 20%
https://www.harborfreight.com/flux-125-welder-63582.html?cid=paid_google_pla_high_welders_63582&gclid=CjwKCAjwp7baBRBIEiwAPtjwxAkP1PMvsupwZ-y8aGkPpCx-6FY94W5suFNcHJieMInbPf7QLi4U8BoCImIQAvD_BwE
I guess I'm trying to decide on getting a $100 - $150 dollar low amp welder or a more expensive better name brand welder such as Lincoln Electric starting at around ~$300.00
What sort of amp range is required to weld on automobile bodies, frames and subframes?
I also need to weld on things such as exhaust, etc.
I think I need 120 VAC welder with maximum amps to run on a 30 amp service which may not be enough for welding heavier metals up to around ~1/2 inch mild steel?
I have some older vehicles with rust issues that I'm going to be working on and looking around for a welder to weld on the bodies and frames and sub-frames.
However I'm not certain what sort of welder will suffice. My past welding experience has been only with 1/4 to 3 inch mild steel using high amp stick welders.
I do have a higher amp AC / DC 240 VAC welder, however there's currently no 240 VAC service where I'm staying so I'm looking around for a welder preferably a mig welder that would be able to work from a 120 VAC 30 amp service I have a RV connected to.
I've read a 140 amp TIG welder draws up to aprrox. ~31 amps from a 120 volt outlet using # 10 wire, requires a 30amp breaker.
I have #8 3-wire heavy duty cord ~1+ inch in diameter going from a 20 amp breaker going to a receptacle outdoors where I can upgrade the breaker to 30 amps.
While using the welder I would't use any other AC equipment or appliances, so not to overload the 30 amp service.
Anyway I'm trying to figure what sort of welder to look for as the welder to weld body sheet metal, frame and subframe I'm not certain how many amps would actually be required i.e. the welder amp range would be required for autobody and frame welding.
I see Home Depot has lots of welders from around 70 amps, some are in my price range are made by Lincoln Electric.
e.g.
88 amp - welds from 24-Gauge to 1/8 in. thick
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Lincoln-Electric-Weld-Pack-HD-Feed-Welder-K2188-1/100031840?MERCH=REC-_-PIPHorizontal2_rr-_-100596739-_-100031840-_-N
140 amp stick welder:
(rating: Input Current: 39 Amp at 115-Volt) I think is a rating when the welder is set at it's maximum of 140 amps.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/AMICO-POWER-Amico-140-Amp-Stick-arc-Welder-IGBT-Inverter-DC-Welding-Machine-115-Volt-New-ARC-140/304254524
Then there is Harbor Freight has a 125 amp (Chicago Electric) mig welder for $109.00. Not certain if this would suffice and last if only used once in a while?
Duty cycle 90A AC @17V, 20%
https://www.harborfreight.com/flux-125-welder-63582.html?cid=paid_google_pla_high_welders_63582&gclid=CjwKCAjwp7baBRBIEiwAPtjwxAkP1PMvsupwZ-y8aGkPpCx-6FY94W5suFNcHJieMInbPf7QLi4U8BoCImIQAvD_BwE
I guess I'm trying to decide on getting a $100 - $150 dollar low amp welder or a more expensive better name brand welder such as Lincoln Electric starting at around ~$300.00
What sort of amp range is required to weld on automobile bodies, frames and subframes?
I also need to weld on things such as exhaust, etc.
I think I need 120 VAC welder with maximum amps to run on a 30 amp service which may not be enough for welding heavier metals up to around ~1/2 inch mild steel?