140 is supposed to handle 3/16 easily. I would recommend that one for bumper and cage building, it'll definitely do floor pans.

 

Always get the biggest u can afford. Cause u never know what your next project would be.

 

I personally wouldn't use that small of a welder for bumpers and cages, probably just for pans.

 

Bumpers are probably fine. Roll cages should be taken a little more seriously, they're supposed to save your life.

I wouldn't want my cage to be built with a hobby flux core welder. I'm not saying it isn't up to the task, but for peace of mind's sake I'd want something with a little more juice.

 

thanks guys im still trying to research a little before buying one. hopefully by the end of the month ill have one at home.

 

220 w/gas id say would be the best and really only setup i would use for cages. This is my opinion because you want good heat/penetration, and its going to be allot easier/efficient to get that with a 220 setup that a 140, and feel safe about using it, especially when your life/investment depends on it. I don't have any pictures of my welds at the moment, im just starting out so there far from good.

One piece of solid advice/info i can give is always try to be the best weldor you can, read, practice, take community classes to improve on your skills. Two good books ive found to start reading and learning about the trade and techniques to improve your skill are: Welders Handbook ( HP Books - $20.00) Metal Fabricators Handbook (HP Books - $20.00) I've been reading and memorizing both and applying them to what i do in the shop.

 

Just got my first welder, nothing fancy, just something cheap and simple to get my feet wet welding. Welded my first couple tries with 6011. Any tips for better penetration?

 

and when i say better penetration i dont mean in reference to that one picture lol. just in general for material about 1/8th thick.

 

Here's a cart that I'm building for my Eastwood MIG135 with 75/15 mix and .023 wire.




And here's some rust repairs I did on my Jeep
(before I ground down)


After:


And quarter panel:



I'm still pretty new to autobody welding

 

Keep practicing on scrap material...looks like you're having a hard time starting and holding an arc. Get your arc struck and pay attention to your arc length, settings and work angles, practice makes perfect. As a wise welding teacher once told me, the best way to learn is time behind the hood.

Whattup with that cart anyways....been a while since you updated, slacker....LOL...your body work is looking pretty good, sheet metal is a pain in the ***, especially for a newer welder, looks like you're doing great though...

 

Oh crap, you quoted all that! lol, actually I'm getting my gas bottle refilled this week and moving my steel stock from my parents' house to my own garage and I will finally be back to work on this thing now that my XJ is back on the road.

 

LOL, yeah, my bad, I was lazy...understand about getting other stuff done first, just giving you hell....

 

leaf spring relocation, except I did it on the front hanger instead of the shackle side. cut out all the pieces, plated it up, and burned them in. fun fun fun





hoping it flattens out a bit more under the full weight of the jeep

 

I wish I had a plasma cutter. We have one at work but I never feel like staying late to use it lol.

 

mine are all cut by hand