Cheap small arc welder

[Auggie56]

Need small inexpensive wire welder.

I'm replacing the drivers side frame, the complete rail.

Any suggestion?

 

[BeepBeepRR]

 

[Mopar Hunter]

If you’re doing a one time job like that, rent one.

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

I would get one that uses gas. Don't waste your time on a flux core wire unit. You want to have perfect welds if you're replacing a frame rail.

Tom

 

[Xp29h]

Need small inexpensive wire welder.

I'm replacing the drivers side frame, the complete rail.

Any suggestion?

I bought a HF Titanium a couple of years ago. Been great! Does all 3, wire, stick and tig, obviously with gas. Not that pricey considering. Good luck!

 

[BeepBeepRR]

I did a roof swap with a harbor freight cheapo 90 amp Fluxcore welder. Grinder and paint make me the welder I ain't. Kidding aside it did fairly well. Just not great on body panels. Thicker stuff its fine.

 

[493 Mike]

Need small inexpensive wire welder.

I'm replacing the drivers side frame, the complete rail.

Any suggestion?

Try buying used, look at pawn shops too.
Mike

 

[icetech]

Need small inexpensive wire welder.

I'm replacing the drivers side frame, the complete rail.

Any suggestion?

After watching a lot of reviews i ended up buying this one.. and honestly its my favorite welder i have had.. i replaced my HTP versamig with it. i have used it from 18gauge body work upto doing frame work and it's been just great... I use it with .023 wire..

P.S. i got a HF fluxcore first and took it back and ate $50 restock fee.. the fluxcore ran so hot on the lowest settings for me that it might as well have been a plasma cutter.

YESWELDER

 

[gkent]

I have a small Eastwood 110v unit for doing sheet metal (their 135 model). It does an amazing job using .023 wire for sheet metal and .030 wire for slightly heavier like the frame rails. It is a gas unit and I use a co2/argon mix.

I also have a Miller 252 mig and a ThermalArc tig, both of which could easily do sheet metal but I bought the Eastwood unit specifically for that purpose and I have no regrets.

Keep this in mind if considering an "all-in-one" welder ... mig and tig do NOT use the same gas. co2/argon are not used to do tig welding and argon is not a good choice for mig welding. My personal opinion is: if you plan to do both mig and tig welding, spend the money on two machines.

 

[zyzzyx]

What he said! And don't even think you are going to T.I.G. weld all of those spot welds! My neighbor bought a YesWelder
for M.I.G. and it works well and is not alot of MooLa. You do need to get the shielding gas though.

 

[Matthew J]

YESWELDER machines are cheap and reviews are pretty good. I bought their TIG-205P. Worked well for about a week and then just quit in the middle of a bead. Totally dead. To their credit, they sent me a replacement machine with zero hassles. I've been using that one for over a year now. Does a decent job for occasional work. Definitely won't be mistaken for a high-value robust piece of equipment tho.
I also have the Eastwood MIG180. Zero complaints, but might not be cheap enough for a one-off job.

 

[Darrah]

My kids bought me an Everlast 200ES for Father's Day last year, and it has been great. I run 75/25 and have done everything from sheetmetal to welding in a new section of rear frame on my truck. It's a pretty impressive little unit. I've run .023 and .030 through it so far, haven't had a need for .035 yet.

I used Millers exclusively at work for years and they were obviously great, but I can't say as I miss anything about them compared to the Everlast.

 

[icetech]

My kids bought me an Everlast 200ES for Father's Day last year, and it has been great. I run 75/25 and have done everything from sheetmetal to welding in a new section of rear frame on my truck. It's a pretty impressive little unit. I've run .023 and .030 through it so far, haven't had a need for .035 yet.

I used Millers exclusively at work for years and they were obviously great, but I can't say as I miss anything about them compared to the Everlast.

Same for me... these new little welders just work.. and the settings are stupid easy so anyone can do it.. My older welders always seemed to be much touchier about how you used them

 

[70chall440]

Try buying used, look at pawn shops too.
Mike

Used is good, many times you can get a larger welder and a lot of accessories for the cost of a new one.

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

I use a Miller 140 with .023" wire and run 75/25 gas all the time.

Unless you plan to do really heavy welding a 110 volt unit with .023" wire is the perfect welder for most any automotive job rebuilding an auto.

For the money it's really hard to beat an Everlast. Their 5-year warranty is a real bonus.

I bought an Everlast 185 AC/DC several years ago and it's been flawless in operation.

Tom

 

[PROSTOCKTOM]

FOR SALE - Craftsman 120V MIG Welder for sale $100

I don't know if he sold it, or if the ad ran out.

Tom