Re: Slowing down the rust demons
 

Buy a small Hobart or Lincoln or miller. I run an old millermatic 185. Can't imagine not having it. Owning old equipment necessitates owning a welder IMO. I have a couple of gas rigs and an ancient old fourney 200 amp stick welder.

Re: Slowing down the rust demons
 

I'll put those on my watch list. Next month we're making the 10 hour drive to see my folks. Dad was a good welder pre-cataracts. I was just not smart enough to take advantage of the opportunity to learn back in my youth. Hope he still has some old equipment though that is usable.

Re: Slowing down the rust demons
 

Maybee your dad knows some one with some stuff. There are some good old rigs floating around. Old tools are good stuff. My fourney is at least 50 years old and my miller is 20.

Re: Slowing down the rust demons
 

I have a very nice Licoln 220v gas shield MIG welder...$600 at the time. Has different size rollers to feed big or small wire--depending on frame work repairs or body work repairs. You won't build a battle ship with it, but perfect for auto/light truck hobby.

Re: Slowing down the rust demons
 

Good tips. Now another dumb question. My garage only has 110 plugs. Is a 110V welder not suitable?

Re: Slowing down the rust demons
 

I used to have a huge extension cord from the dryer plug over to my welder--okay until the 'lil lady stayed home from work.

If your panel can suppot it, add a 220v cuircuit. I run my air compressor on 220, too. A 110v will perform sheet metal welding just fine, but is puny after about 14 gauge metal...most frame and suspension stuff if thicker than 10 gauge.

My plasma cutter, a small Hobart brand, is 110v and demands it's own 30 amp circuit due to the power needed to strike the ark, and it has been working fine on sheet metal to 3/16".

Re: Slowing down the rust demons
 

LOL. Mine is already a stay at home mom! Thanks for the advice.