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Post by Mock1racer on May 5, 2010 7:37:25 GMT -5
Now that you've seen the cheapest way to go, have a look at the other welder I have... Bad pic, but this is also a 120V welding mahine, but this one is a 100% duty cycle. This is NOT a cheap machine, @ $ 1800.00 This is a Miller Maxstar 150 STL, it's a stick/tig machine. It has the capability to do Aluminum but I dont have that peice yet. When I do my roll cages I want the best penetration and strength I can possibly get, so I use the stick setup and weld with a 3/32" 7018 EXCALIBER rod. This is by far the best pipe welding rod there is. When I did my exhaust system I did it in stainless steel and used the Tig application with a 308 tig wire. My pipes are 304 polished stainless so I got a wire that would weld smooth and not be so strong it would be brittle, the 308 was my choice. I could have gone with 316 but it doesnt weld very smooth on the 304. This machine is not for the novice as it is very tough for the beginner to pick up a stick rod, and fire up on a piece of pipe with good results. Tig is a monkey of a different flavor, this type of welding is best to be learned at a tech school or trade school. as it is very expensive to tig weld, ( because of the gas involved,Argon)
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Post by Mock1racer on May 5, 2010 7:45:24 GMT -5
I guess my points here are that no matter what welder you go with, with a little practice and maybe a pointer here and there you can have a good solid weld with very little money involved. It dose'nt matter if its a Miller, Hobart,Lincoln, or a Harbor Frieght special, It's a welding machine and they all do the same thing, Weld. For the beginner, i suggest a MIG machine that is cheap and you can plug into a 120V outlet. Dont be worried that the welds look bad or it poppin all over the place,your skill will come in time. Because it boils down to this, it's all about time under the hood. ;D
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302bug
Full Member
Built Ford tough with vw stuff
Posts: 153
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Post by 302bug on Oct 29, 2010 9:12:00 GMT -5
If I could add anything, I would have to say to keep your donor car or cars longer than you need them. There is always that one part that you need that you forgot to get off!! Doesn't make for a good day when you had the part that you need but already sent it to the junk yard. So parts like your steering comp. and braking comp. are also just as important if not more important! If you can't steer or stop, you better be a good jumper and have good insurance.
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Post by Mock1racer on Oct 29, 2010 13:40:49 GMT -5
LOL!! That's great stuff! Very good point too!
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Post by Mock1racer on Dec 2, 2010 11:27:51 GMT -5
Something else to remember while doing these types of projects, this stuff takes time. It's very easy to get burned out doing the same thing over and over. I take brakes from time to time, just to get my mind off the project, then when I DO get back to work, my mind is fresh and it gives me a clean slate to start with.
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Post by joedirt on Dec 4, 2010 18:19:52 GMT -5
This is my chassis company and they are in Illinois ! www.alstonracing.com They have lots of pictures as well of short and small cars in their gallery pages.
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