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I have a Hobart in the same range that came with flux wire, optional gas. I use the gas so the welds require less grinding and clean up. It will work for all the sheet metal on your Mustang, you can use one to install a cage if your welding is up to snuff, but only mild steel, no chrome moly since that requires a Tig. I want a larger 220v welder but I cant swing the $1200+ price for one, and my only 220V connection is for the compressor, I would need to wire in another one.
As it is, all the work done on the Cougar, Trans Am, and Mustang, as well as the other projects I am working on, is done with that little Hobart welder. As long as I have enough heat in it I dont have a problem with penetration or welds breaking. I have used it to repair my trailer and it is 1/4" spring steel, but that requires some grinding to get a channel for the welds, it wont get enough heat through the full thickness.
Get an argon co2 mix in a medium size bottle and take your time learning how to weld thin metal together and it should work ok for you.
Being that you're outdoors, you'll probably want to rig up some sort of wind screen. It is possible to weld sheetmetal using fluxcore, but you're in for quite a bit of work cleaning it up afterward. Although I haven't tried it, some folks have used gas along with fluxcore and claimed to have gotten better results.
I don't think you'll find much metal over 1/8" thick anywhere in the car that you'd ever be likely to be welding to.
Thumpin - If it isn't likely that you'd ever need the compressor and the welder both going at full chat simultaneously, maybe you could just add another 220V outlet to the existing circuit.
Being that you're outdoors, you'll probably want to rig up some sort of wind screen. It is possible to weld sheetmetal using fluxcore, but you're in for quite a bit of work cleaning it up afterward. Although I haven't tried it, some folks have used gas along with fluxcore and claimed to have gotten better results.
I don't think you'll find much metal over 1/8" thick anywhere in the car that you'd ever be likely to be welding to.
Thumpin - If it isn't likely that you'd ever need the compressor and the welder both going at full chat simultaneously, maybe you could just add another 220V outlet to the existing circuit.
Norm
more of a location issue than an amperage issue, its not in the best spot for a welder. I would need a 30' cord for it.
more of a location issue than an amperage issue, its not in the best spot for a welder. I would need a 30' cord for it.
You can make an extension cord for 'cheap' by picking up the outdoor rated wire (heavy rubber coated flexible wire which coils easily) and the appropriate plugs. I think I made my 25' extension cord for my Lincoln 175 for about $100. Much cheaper than buying one.
[edit] If you think there is ever a chance you'll want to weld the heavier stuff, buy the 230V welder. I can't tell you how many times I've seen people sell their 115V welder because it wasn't enough for them. Granted, these are friends with Jeeps using predominantly 3/16" and 1/4" steel.
We made a cord like that for my dads Miller, wired it into the machine rather than using it as an extension with two couplers. The big thing holding me back is $$$, the 220v source is more of an annoyance than anything.
The 110v will do 98% of what we do with cars, off road stuff and bigger trucks is different. Even if I get a bigger one I will keep this small one, because its portable and I can use it almost anywhere.
I run into the same problem with my compressor and Tig welder requiring the same plug. I made extension cords for both of them. The Tig I made long enough to reach out into my driveway. I hate having to unplug one to plug in the other. When I had my 220 outlet installed in the garage I made it a drier out let in case I move and I dont have a plug i would be able to plug into the drier. I dont recommend a TIG for the beginner. I have not used mine much and they require allot more skill. I have been putting it to work though welding my flush windows. I use a 110 MIG Lincoln for almost everything else on the car.
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