oldestof11
Drag racer
- Joined
- Jul 17, 2007
- Messages
- 9,084
I am looking to make some purchases here in the next year. What I cannot decide is metal fab tools. Obvious list is hand tools, a drill press or end mill, press (what size???), and welders...
The biggest thing right now is the welder(s).
I want to do light gauge automotive bodywork to heavy material (3/8" probably be the biggest).
Doing some reading on WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts - Powered by vBulletin the newer HF ( :stab with some modding are just about the same as a comparable Miller/Lincoln/Hobart. Currently, you can pick up the 170 amp for $150 with coupons. Mainly use this for sheet metal and light duty work like exhausts. No, I won't build frames with this.
Then I see I can pick up decent AC/DC stick welders for a couple hundred to do the heavy stuff.
My dad has a oxy/ace setup that he bought and now he has no interest in using it. BNIB without tanks. Says I can have it if I use it. When I had a welding instructor teach me while I was in highschool, he commented on how well my hand/eye coordination was. I had no problems at the time welding 20ga sheets together after a few sessions.
Is there really a MIG setup than can do all of this (minus the oxy setup) for less than $500? Or should I just stick to an old tombstone with the Oxy setup?
Also, what size press should I look at buying? 20, 40, 100 ton???
The biggest thing right now is the welder(s).
I want to do light gauge automotive bodywork to heavy material (3/8" probably be the biggest).
Doing some reading on WeldingWeb™ - Welding forum for pros and enthusiasts - Powered by vBulletin the newer HF ( :stab with some modding are just about the same as a comparable Miller/Lincoln/Hobart. Currently, you can pick up the 170 amp for $150 with coupons. Mainly use this for sheet metal and light duty work like exhausts. No, I won't build frames with this.
Then I see I can pick up decent AC/DC stick welders for a couple hundred to do the heavy stuff.
My dad has a oxy/ace setup that he bought and now he has no interest in using it. BNIB without tanks. Says I can have it if I use it. When I had a welding instructor teach me while I was in highschool, he commented on how well my hand/eye coordination was. I had no problems at the time welding 20ga sheets together after a few sessions.
Is there really a MIG setup than can do all of this (minus the oxy setup) for less than $500? Or should I just stick to an old tombstone with the Oxy setup?
Also, what size press should I look at buying? 20, 40, 100 ton???