Ideal MIG for exhaust fabrication?

[youngm]

Hi all,

I'm new to the whole welding arena, however, I intend to undertake a short MIG welding course at the local technical school in the new year. I intend to fabricate my own exhaust system for my car, so I'm in the market for a suitable MIG welder.

I'm curious to know what you guys would recommend in terms of amperage for staineless steel exhaust fabrication? I'll also be dabbling in fabricating aluminium intake pipes too. Nothing too thick at all.

I'll also be using it to make a work bench in my garage.

I'm thinking something in the 130A range, however, I might even look at something up near the 150A - 180A range so I have the capability for thicker metals later down the track.

How does this unit look? http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BRAND-NEW-Krieger-180-Amp-MIG-Welder-Gas-Gasless_W0QQitemZ180197071153QQihZ008QQcategoryZ11774QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Advice appreciated.

 

[zardoz]

If you are welding exhausts, then a welder that will do well on thinner gauge metals is more important that the welders higher settings. If you are after a welder that will do steel. stainless steel and aluminium, then maybe you are better off buying a TIG welder to do all 3 metals.

A few questions for you:
1. Does your course teach TIG as well as MIG ?
2. Where is the welder you show us, manufactured ?
3. Also, What is your budget ?

You will need to know all this, so we can advise you. So, Answer these questions and people on this forum will try to help as much as they can
The rule of thumb in welding is. Buy the best kit you can afford.

 

[youngm]

Hi,

The course I'm considering covers Oxy/Acetylene, ARC and MIG welding. It does not cover TIG welding.

The reason I want to do MIG is because I'm told it's the easiest to learn and gets you up and welding pretty quick with a few hours of practise.

I'm not fussed if the MIG can't really do aluminium too well. I can always make intercooler intake pipes with thin mild steel mandrel bent pipe sections.

My budget would be around the $500 mark, which should get me a welder that is rated for thin gauge metals. That's why I was looking at the 130A GAS MIG welders.

At first, I plan to lay a few beads down on scrap metal to get the technique as best as I can, then I'll tack the bits of exhaust tubing together on/under my car, remove and then attempt to weld them together completely myself.

If I have issues, then I guess I can always take the tack welded bits to a pro welder and pay him a few dollars to finish off the welds for me?

 

[peterd51]

Hi,

that course sounds like the one I did about 18 - 20 years ago. The second year (that I didn't do) went on to thicker metal (up to 6"), automatic welding machines and TIG. It was all a bit too heavy for me at that time but the instructor said I would be coded on all aspects after the second year. At the time it wouldn't have been much use for a telephone engineer patching up my own car!

It sounds like you have the right approach, practice on scrap first...

but be aware that welding flat plate downhand on the bench is different to welding pipe overhead under the car. It's difficult to get a comfortable position under the car and you end up with your hands/arms at the wrong 'angles', etc.

After a while when you get some experience it's easier to compensate for such things but I recall blowing holes in almost every job I did in the early days.

You need to practice with a bit of pipe, in a vice possibly, from underneath. You'll probably look a bit daft doing it but it'll pay off when you get under the car.

Post some pictures if you can.

Regards
Peter

 

[youngm]

Thanks, Peter.

I'm pretty keen on the Clarke 130EN or 180EN unit. Just need to find out if they come in 240v for Australian outlets?

I only plan to work on thin metals for exhaust and air intake applications (1.5mm - 2mm), so I think the 130EN would suffice for my needs and I'm not prepared to spend big $$$ on the Millers or Lincolns etc. It's purely for home use.

My plan for welding mild or stainless steel is to run a combination of Argon/CO2 gas for the cleanest possible weld. I like things to look nice too

This is the exhaust I will attempt to build for my car. I already have the muffler box and flanges. Just need a few steel bends and some practise time before tackling it

 

[zardoz]

The clarke range are indeed 240 volt, as this is what we have in the UK

 

[youngm]

Cool - just need to find a distributor who will ship to Australia! I'm keen on the 180EN.

This looks like a great 180EN package! Comes with regulator and auto-darkening helmet.

http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/WE6524P-5.html

 

[shenion]

I got my 130EN from weldingdepot, great service.

They sell on ebay. You might contact them, they have good service and would probably ship there if possible.

 

[youngm]

I looked at their WEB site and they will only ship within the USA

I need to find a reseller who will ship internationally. I don't see the big deal if I cover all import fees, duties/taxes etc...

I looked around locally and no-one sells the Clarke range in Australia, which is a bit of a concern for when I need spare bits etc...