Chris -
For my money, I would (and did) go with the MIG (actually a convertible
wire-feed) welder. For ease of use, ability to get a good weld with
little practice, flexibility, and ability work easily in confined
spaces, the MIG is the choice.
If you can't afford the MIG right now, buy a wire feed welder that can
be converted to MIG later (most can). Use self-shielding wire and some
care and you'll produce good solid welds.
In case you don't catch on the difference between a wire-feed welder and
a MIG welder, here's the only real difference:
The MIG welder floods the area of the weld with an inert gas (CO2,
Argon, or a mix) to keep oxygen away from the weld (MIG stands for
Metal, Inert Gas). Great, but the gas can be expen$ive.
A wire feed welder uses "self shielding wire", where the melting of
the wire itself releases gases that keep oxygen away from the weld (not
quite as effectively as MIG, but pretty darn good for most purposes).
The biggest functional difference is that a wire-feed welder is only
good for ferrous steel. A MIG can be used on darn near anything, with
the correct wire and practice with the materials.
Chris Kotting (Who USUALLY signs "Chris K", but thought better of it
this time...)
Chris King wrote:
>
> As the weather gets warmer I've had some time to poke about the '79. It's
>looking more and more like the floor panels and the rear of the trunk will
>need to be replaced. It's a Big job, I know. But I really don't want to put
>new seats in just to have them fall through the floor...
>
> Most of the rot on the floors is out toward the sills, perhaps the first two
>inches in, except for the passenger's side which has a large hole in the
>footwell. The footwells look like the had been fiberglassed some time in the
>past.
>
> I've got two sort of general questions.
>
> 1. Those of you who've done this, what type of welding setup would you
>reccommend? I've done some looking aound, and there are places that sell small
>ARC welders for around $100 and MIG welders for $250-$300. What's the
>advantage/disadvantage compared to an oxy-acetylene or Mapp torch?
>
> 2. If you've done a trunk floor, did you have any problems keeping the rear
>spring shackles aligned?
>
> Opening a #10 can of worms,
>
> -=Chris
>
> Chris King - cbking@alum.rpi.edu
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