The right tool .... Mig Welder
Hedgehog
Always Off-Roading Jeeper
- Posts
- 9,370
- Thanks
- 3
- Location
- Tucson/Marana Arizona
- Vehicle(s)
- -1975 Jeep CJ5, 360 V8, Headers, Duel Exhaust,T15 transmission, D-20 Transfer case, Twin Stick Conversion, Warn 8274 Winch
-1951 Willys Wagon, 4 cylinder, "F" head, little rust, very close to stock
For a few reasons I am thankful for starting on The Witch project. Namely tools!
For years I struggled with not the right tool. The Witch demanded that I would not struggle for no reason again.
First came the 4.5" angle grinder, exactly how does an active man get along without an angle grinder. Having been a fan of the show American Chopper I can say that about the only thing I got from the show was how to cut metal the relatively easy way. Then on my own I discovered flap wheel polishers. Man what a wonderful thing, they can polish, remove paint and if held just right grind serious metal like found on a sloppy weld. These things can remove a world od sin in a hurry or for that matter slowly. I love these things.
I've dabbled in welding for most all my life, but without fear of being contradicted my welding skills are wanting. This is where my love of the angle grinder and flap wheel comes in. My welds aren't pretty but they are deep and permanent the flap wheel covers my lack of skill. My first welder as an adult was/is a good old Lincoln Tomb stone buzz box. Functional in every way but not very delicate. The search for my next welder brought me to a Craigslist deal on an older Thermal Arc AC converter. This thing has a brain and more adjustments than I ever imagined on an arc welder. This is a no stick welding experience for a stick welder. The problem is I needed a welder that could reasonably handle thin metal. Without much fiddling I can handle 16 ga. sheet metal, but 18 ga. is more a matter of luck than anything else.
Since The Witch has the standard amount of 38 year old hard pushed Jeep metal cracks and other body welding needed I came to the conclusion that I needed a MIG welder. one that could use flux core wire and true Mig gas. Nothing exotic, something of decent quality but with parts as common as possible. Since I no longer can force myself to pay full retail I've bee haunting Craigslist and local Pawn shops. Finally a Lincoln 140 in decent shape hit the shelves of my favorite Pawn shop. After the standard wheeling and dealing the welder is mine and I've been playing with it all afternoon.
What an experience it has been. First off it took me a while to get the method of not bringing the stick to the weld area. Along with that it took time to find the proper feed speed. There is still some learning to go, at this time I'm still fixing welding attempts with the stick welders. It is cool to fill those holes, not pretty but satisfying. Then there are the stress cracks. I have a set of original '75 front fenders. Most of the metal is in great shape with a few cracks and some rust I found just tonight. The welder made quick work of the cracks and I'm completely sold on this welder and others of it's type. They have given the home hobbyist an option other than spending money on the professional welder. In some ways I feel sorry for those Welders, are they feeling the cold weather of the dinosaurs? I hope not.
For years I struggled with not the right tool. The Witch demanded that I would not struggle for no reason again.
First came the 4.5" angle grinder, exactly how does an active man get along without an angle grinder. Having been a fan of the show American Chopper I can say that about the only thing I got from the show was how to cut metal the relatively easy way. Then on my own I discovered flap wheel polishers. Man what a wonderful thing, they can polish, remove paint and if held just right grind serious metal like found on a sloppy weld. These things can remove a world od sin in a hurry or for that matter slowly. I love these things.
I've dabbled in welding for most all my life, but without fear of being contradicted my welding skills are wanting. This is where my love of the angle grinder and flap wheel comes in. My welds aren't pretty but they are deep and permanent the flap wheel covers my lack of skill. My first welder as an adult was/is a good old Lincoln Tomb stone buzz box. Functional in every way but not very delicate. The search for my next welder brought me to a Craigslist deal on an older Thermal Arc AC converter. This thing has a brain and more adjustments than I ever imagined on an arc welder. This is a no stick welding experience for a stick welder. The problem is I needed a welder that could reasonably handle thin metal. Without much fiddling I can handle 16 ga. sheet metal, but 18 ga. is more a matter of luck than anything else.
Since The Witch has the standard amount of 38 year old hard pushed Jeep metal cracks and other body welding needed I came to the conclusion that I needed a MIG welder. one that could use flux core wire and true Mig gas. Nothing exotic, something of decent quality but with parts as common as possible. Since I no longer can force myself to pay full retail I've bee haunting Craigslist and local Pawn shops. Finally a Lincoln 140 in decent shape hit the shelves of my favorite Pawn shop. After the standard wheeling and dealing the welder is mine and I've been playing with it all afternoon.
What an experience it has been. First off it took me a while to get the method of not bringing the stick to the weld area. Along with that it took time to find the proper feed speed. There is still some learning to go, at this time I'm still fixing welding attempts with the stick welders. It is cool to fill those holes, not pretty but satisfying. Then there are the stress cracks. I have a set of original '75 front fenders. Most of the metal is in great shape with a few cracks and some rust I found just tonight. The welder made quick work of the cracks and I'm completely sold on this welder and others of it's type. They have given the home hobbyist an option other than spending money on the professional welder. In some ways I feel sorry for those Welders, are they feeling the cold weather of the dinosaurs? I hope not.