More Welding Questions

[crokett]

My dad wants to weld everything from a trailer to, say, adding filigrees to an iron railing that comes out of his blacksmith shop. Will a MIG welder do detail work? I told him an angle grinder is your friend.

Any ideas on cost of materials for the different welders? I don't know enough to know what to search on.

[Sweet Chuck]

For some one just getting started into welding a MIG welder is going to be the best bet. The will do a fine job so long as the metal your welding isn't rusty, painted, or dirty. Its best to grind the surfaces before they are welded.

Buy a brand name machine (Miller, Lincoln, ESAB) and make sure that your set up for using shielding gas instead of the flux cored wire. The amperage of the machine will pretty much determine how thick of material you can weld and also dictate the cost of the machine.

This place has pretty competitive prices for welders. I would get an automatic welding helmet too.
http://stores.ebay.com/Welding-Supplies-from-IOC

[Dirty Dave]

David,

It is very hard to beat an Lincoln 225 amp AC / DC Buzz Box welder for a universal dependable welder. As Sweet Chuck said, a mig is good but they like clean new metal. The cost of the gas and gas bottle also should be considered. Migs are also well suited for aluminum and stainless steel welding. The Lincoln stick rod welder gives you the ability to weld most metals even with some rust or contaminents with a wide selection of rods available. You can turn down the amperage and use small rods for thin metals or use thicker rods and higher amperage for heavier metals. If I were to have only one welder in a shop, the Buzz Box would be my choice. For production using new metal, go for the mig.