Linda,
I elected to go with a MIG welder, for my home shop, for the simple
reason that, given some of the contortionist positions Ive had to get
into, to weld this or that on one of my cars; I didnt want to even
THINK about having to use BOTH hands for different welding tasks,
simultaneously. With a TIG, you can make some truly beautiful welds, AT
THE BENCH, as well as in certain positions on a car. However, given the
fact that, ultimately, you will need to weld in every position
imaginable, when restoring even a moderately rusty car, the MIG is so
much more practical. Even with the rotisserie I built myself, for
Spridgets, I still cant imagine having to do all of my welding with a
TIG.
Sure, many of the welds would be pretty nice to look at, BEFORE I FILED
THEM FLUSH, but, for autobody restoration work, I truly believe that a
MIG is the best all-around welder to use.
Like I said, previously: If you can gas weld, proficiently, you can MIG
weld BEAUTIFULLY.
Bud Osbourne
-----Original Message-----
From: Linda Grunthaner [mailto:grunthaner@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, May 05, 2007 8:15 AM
To: Bud Osbourne
Cc: Wm. Severin Thompson; Jim Juhas; Bill Gilroy; derf; Spridget List
Subject: Welders MIG or TIG?
Bud & Listers,
Wow I have so much information on the MIG welder I am a little
overwhelmed with all the info but just love it : ) The more info the
better which is why I love this list. I used to TIG weld for a boat
hardware factory in my 20's as I found the trouble with TIG was that the
hoses which are attached to the torch were heavy for my female wrists
but it did produce a beautiful weld. Being the TIG torch is held like a
pencil it was heavy at the wrist, perhaps they have better models now. I
went to night school to learn gas and arc welding at 19 which opened the
door to several other welding jobs and I welded my cars with Oxy
Acetylene with some beautiful complete beads which looked like I used a
TIG. I want a MIG so I can butt weld my Sprite, I taught metal shop as I
am an Industrial Arts teacher and in college learned on all welders but
MIG although I hear they are good & inexpensive for the butt weld which
is what I want to do on my Sprite. I just took a look at the Miller site
and wow they have everything including great videos to train yourself.
Perhaps I need a TIG? I am not sure.
I just don't want to blow a hole in between the two pieces of auto metal
when doing a butt weld. I am looking at several welders on eBay and I
don't think I should invest a lot of money in it because I doubt I will
do much more welding than on my Sprite and perhaps some student school
projects but I really need to evaluate my choices. I will also contact
Miller http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/?url=
<http://www.millerwelds.com/products/tig/?url=&Go=Go> &Go=Go and get
their suggestions, although they will want me to spend 6K on a TIG, I
don't want to go over $300. but would like some kind of variable control
so I don't blow a hole in the material.
Do any lister's TIG weld and think I can get one for $300. or can I can
get a MIG welder that will have a variable adjustment that will prevent
me from blow through on body welds?
Thanks for all your help,
Linda
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