What Welder Should You Start With For Working On Cars?

[@Kamaling]

I am a professional welder (industrial welder). Tig is the best solution (in automotive), especially if you want to weld thin material 3mm and less. There are not many other ways to weld 1 or 2 mm thick metal properly. MIG is suitable for stainless steel, while MAG is suitable for non-stainless steel (the big difference is the gas and wire you use). If your MIG/MAG welder sputters, it's usually due to the wrong setting of volts/ampere/welding wire material etc or often the equipment is not clean (often clean inside the nozzle too, this is important). As I don't know the brands of equipment you use, I can't say much about this. But learning TIG welding for car making is a matter of an afternoon. Any professional welder can teach you in a short time. TIG is the simplest type of welding for your purposes. You only need more time and experience if you want to weld root, titanium, tantalum or very thick material. And never weld aluminium without preheating. But I'm sure anyone thinking of buying a TIG machine already knows that. There is much more to say, of course. But this should help in some cases.

[@louistiches4810]

Would TIG work on 1/4” steel?

[@evilblackcat6357]

I have that very same Harbor Freight welder. It will indeed get the job done, however, HF sells a slightly more expensive flux core welder, the Titanium Easy Flux 125 that runs on DC instead of AC like the cheaper model. You'll get less spatter with this and it has more control over the power output with a dial. IMO, if you have the extra scratch it's the better buy for a starter. I'd also recommend getting a nice, long pair of thick welding gloves to go with your helmet. When buying a welder also don't forget to check what it runs on; household socket 120v or more garage/washer/dryer 240v plugs. Most home garages I've seen do not have 240v sockets. Some welders will run off one or the other, some have adapters for both. From one novice welder to another, hope this helps!

[@Jet_D]

Thanks. Yes it does help

[@FarmsVilla]

Thanks very helpful. 👍🏻

[@robertclymer6948]

Thanks for your input, it is very helpful!!!!

[@adontewalk6479]

I have the titanium and you are so right i live in an apartment and can weld in my parking lot right from my outlet no issues whatsoever

[@SkylerB17]

Thank you for this. I want to start welding but hate the idea of wasting time cleaning up mess (welding spatter) afterwords. Cleaning the weld is one thing but cleaning the entire area around the weld in addition seems wasteful of time. I'd be willing to spend the extra on the Vulcan 215 but if the Titanium you're talking about doesn't produce much spatter I might consider it.

[@Land-of-reason]

My father was a professional welder who worked on sheet panels, UK North Sea Oil Rigs and taught welders at college. He used all forms of welding machines and welded all types of metal. Sadly it killed him with Emphysema so take care of the fumes. You will find that the welds on your quarter panel which is tacked on the edge will crack over time. When you don't have a spot welder you should drill small holes through the top dhery, overlap and tack through the hoes onto the sheet beneath. I had this problem when a body's hop replaced a panel on my old car. My father was less than impressed by the workmanship. I hope that you will find that helpful.

[@Spaxxist]

My dad welded huge steel constructions for 40 years. For fun he would do 30-300meter boats and ships. Never thought it was special till I saw how other peoples welds looked. The man was extremely fast and had extremely pretty welds, could lay down 2 inch thick welds no problem. He always used Kemppi MIG/MAG welders with argon and CO2 gas

[@mohzuhair4085]

Your intro is the best intro in KZbin. Short, sweet and to the point. Addressed what I'm looking for, that I subscribed and liked within seconds. Appreciate the content 👍👍

[@speedtrapp219d2]

Being a welder / fabricator I have a Lincoln MP210 does everything I need mig tig and stick and I even have a spool gun for aluminum 1400.00 done

[@tylergiff]

We have the same. It is awesome. Highly recommended, spend the money once and don’t waste it on 4 crappy welders. Just buy the right one first. 👍

[@Addimotive]

I bought the titanium easy flux 125 from harbor freight and it’s a great welder for the price. Got it for $160 from harbor freight on sale. Way better than the Chicago electric brand from HF because it uses an inverter instead. I used the Chicago electric one for my projects for the past few years and the titanium one is miles better. Also recommend for anyone doing flux is to buy flux gel to put on your nozzle and near your weld spot and that will help eliminate some spatter from sticking.

[@jhbryaniv]

Is this Oscars favorite welder too? When are we going to get some Welding tutorials from Oscar? :-)

[@andrewporter386]

Love this idea

[@CrazyIvan1337]

I, too, would love to see some welding tips from Oscar!

[@Oscar_SMT]

My favorite welder is the miller 255. Solid mig machine.

[@byronrichards3001]

Nice rundown of use of equipment from a 'beginner' point of view. Your knowledge and experience is very much appreciated. Its also kool and informative that you informed us that you are not a professional welder. Also great tip on us beginners investing in a good helmet. Keep informing the people...

[@Casey_Jones_]

Thank you for this, as entertaining as the whole build episodes are, the technical know how is really what I want! Thank you thank you thank you.

[@georgespangler1517]

I built my first streetrod in 2008 with a Lincoln 135 flux core did well but the splatter and sinus issues just not healthy,,,, then I bought my miller 180 auto set gas shield and never looked back,,night and day difference..

[@tlikethedrink]

The Flux core is a great “quick job” for entry DIY projects. Out of the box can start welding with decent results. It also has the advantage of not having to worry about wind if you you’re not welding inside. Also, it’s 110v if you don’t have 220. Primeweld 520dp is a a great multi process machine to have for bigger projects. Plasma to cut, stick welder for thicker stuff, and a tig to get fancy with. The machine itself is far more affordable than that miller, @ $499. Be prepared for the tank, cart, and consumables that will make it a $1000 set up!

[@frankish5314]

Hah.. My first build was a 1966 MG that I rebuilt in the early 80's. I did all the welding with an AC buzz box arc welder using 1/16th rods. I got so good I was butt welding panels eventually. I wouldn't do it today and currently have Mig, TIG, stick and Oxy-Acetylene.

[@jacquespoirier9071]

To my experience, a too small welder is always a bad investment, you will find the end very fast and you'll replace with a more powerful one. For an average amateur, a 200 amp MIG welder with infinite voltage control is a very good go anywhere welding machine as you can weld body sheetmetal to 1/4" thick metal in a single pass and generally, these machines have an acceptable stability over the range you'll use in an amateur perspective. Of course, gas shielded solid wire is the most easy to use and the result is excellent, More performing gas shielded wires and solid aluminum, stainless and bronze specialty wires can also be welded with this type of machine but the application is a bit outside the range than an average amateur will do. As usual, practice makes excellence.

[@justwhatido]

Would a flux core welder be good for welding a frame core support back on? or what about a gasless mig welder?

[@frankish5314]

The other great thing about a small flux core (or flux core and/or gas) mig is that they can be a 110V machine up to about 130 amps and relatively portable. As you say when your around the farm and only have a 110V supply available.. plus if its windy, a flux core 110V Mig can be worth its weight in gold.. Heck mine even runs 1/8th stick electrodes for farmyard gates and such.

[@fabioamaro320]

Can we see more of your previous builds that you still own? Like where are they parked? How often do you drive them? What do you plan to do with them? What happened to the FJ? Does Chelsea get to drive any of your cars and which ones and why those? What do you drive the most? ... Can we have an episode where you literally drive all your cars to the wash one at a time and we get to see a walk around each one once its washed with you talking about what unfinished on that vehicle and what you plan to do with it in future? Etc etv etc.... that's what I call behind the scenes...

[@alandawson-hv5yf]

Thanks I have a stick welder and was wondering if I could use that on a car. Glad you said no in the first minute 😂

[@JoseCruz-dk3fi]

Oscar welding tutorial videos would be the best things ever

[@johncoonradt9000]

I have the 215 welder after set up it worked great it was a great investment .

[@zioncardman18]

I have a Miller passport and it's amazing! 220/110 in a briefcase. Highly portable and perfect for cars.

[@oogoozoo]

I have the vulcan 🖖 220 and love it. It really is super easy to setup and welds pretty nice especially for a garage hobbyist like myself.

[@frankbazadier]

Thank you so very much for your very insightful and academic review of the different welding options.

[@chuppathingy9114]

Definitely loved this video, we need more like this! This is helpful for someone like me who is trying and planning to get into cars and building them.

[@Electric_Camino]

Solid information and rationale. I was building a structure primarily out of aluminum and needed the finesse and quality of a TIG, and had some experience with them several years ago, but had to relearn a lot and practice before my quality and strength was up to snuff. For most builders, a gas/mig will be best.

[@mr.shenanigans597]

lol at the welder sitting in a puddle of water

[@jacklafary3398]

was my first thought too. lol. Caterpillar would approve

[@gringotom242]

Great video thanks. I got a flux core to start but I've found that it can't do the really thin sheet metal on my car without blowing holes all the time. Am going to switch to a gas MIG instead

[@cartersaikkonen1159]

I am a automotive welder but I use flux cord sometimes just use anti splatter and all the BBs will wipe rate off but it's a good welder for frame work but not body work

[@scottcol23]

The only video left of the 1967 Shelby.

[@Jet_D]

Yup. Sad but true.

[@Nickorator]

Thanks for this! I always thought of welding as something I could never do and would always need to hire someone. I never knew that it was something you could actually kinda learn in a few hours, and especially something you can get into for less than $500. Great info!

[@hayzersolar]

i am rebuilding my 95 jeep Cherokee. the floor and unibody frame rails are shoot. i don't have a garage working on it in the parking lot. i have to use flux core welder. just to let you know i never welded before getting my yeswelder 135 tomorrow. have to get a lot of practice before i start to put rails and floor pans in.

[@brandonsims9787]

Thanks for the info Chris I would love a shop tour if you get a chance. Maybe give us an idea of some of your most used tools and functional shop layout we don't get to see during your SEMA crunch time.

[@jazbuh1794]

For the Mig Flux Core, you should try Lincoln Electric Anti Spatter Spray. Be careful with other Anti Spatter sprays, some give of toxic fumes with welding. Lincoln works well for Stick welling too.

[@timkondas8481]

I have that same cheapo Harbor Freight $50 special. It works great on thicker metal, but every time I've tried to use it on body sheet metal gauge stuff it just blows big holes in it, like it's too powerful for it even on the lowest setting. Do you have any tips or tricks to get around that issue?

[@BlueMacGyver]

Thanks for this video! I could have wasted a bunch of cash if I didn't see this video first.

[@CrazyIvan1337]

I'm really glad to hear you guys enjoy the Vulcan welder. My old-ish Lincoln is pretty rough, and it's not necessarily mine either (basically it stays at my shop and I have free use of it any time). It's done a few really big projects and it did them really well, but it's starting to have it's issues and I've been thinking about a replacement when I move.

[@healthymilkers8954]

I know I'm kinda late but that Miller machine looks a lot like the machines I used in a shop I used to work at (Multimatic I believe). If so it can also do GMAW/MIG and Flux, it's a true joy to use!

[@syedafzal5175]

Great video as an intro to welding, helped me decide in choosing one for my w108 rebuild

[@oellasawandtool]

Good lecture on welders! Surprised to hear how positive you were on the harbor freight mig. Good to know Thanks for posting!

[@Davelon420]

I took welding in high school and the instructor had us start on stick 6011 and 7018... if you have ever used one you know why they call it a stick welder, the rod sticks every 3 puddles and the only good welds you will get is once the rod is short stick. After we got a handle on stick welding he moved us to MIG and that was a game changer. He never taught TIG because as he said 'Just too damned expensive and you'll hardly ever use it".

[@JAGGYCRASH]

I'm guessing he wasn't a CWI.

[@Davelon420]

@@JAGGYCRASH That was nearly 20 years ago.

[@ethanmacheras5967]

Very helpful, been thinking about getting a MIG welder for a few years now!

[@chrisrobles2012]

Thanks for this. I’ve wanted to know this information for a while.

[@FlashxSwazy]

Fucking A. I finally found this channel again. Never subscribed and forgot the name for years. And it pops up as i look up welding stuff. 😊

[@BobbyDigital757]

Really enjoyed the video. When you get around to painting that mustang, can you do one on auto paint? Best gun, nozzle, filters, air pressure settings, technique, etc?

[@jeffrentsch4318]

Flux core is good if you are outside or kinda like stick just a bit easier. Also core is good for quick bolt weld to broken fasteners. Like my hundred dollar flux core, also have metal man multi function...

[@mgarc1960]

Great info. What about welding on the frame of the car, rear axle or engine mounts, also boxing in the frame?

[@KingEire]

Personally I use Mig for everything from 3mm up but I make hydraulic and diesel tanks. Im not a qualified welder I done an intro course and learned on the job. Anti spatter spray and a chisel is a must for me aswell. Hope this helps

[@isaacmunoz1884]

What machine would u recommend for frame repair and body work

[@robertwright5778]

Found your video recently. Appreciate the advice. Good stuff.

[@Tillbilly]

i love my cheap mig welder , works great for what i know about welding

[@behelpful1435]

Great video. I learned a lot. Thanks for posting. Could you share links for all the equipment shown?

[@ikbelmezroua5500]

In my country we cant have gaz tank to use mig or tig weld machine so can u tell what weld i can use without the gaz tank please

[@The-vill]

it's nice to learn so much that you have to do in just welding, this is interesting

[@flightmedic7169]

Omg im definitely subscribing. I do rebuilds and have learned to much by watching videos. I wanted to ask you what’s your recommendation on welding a front section for a steel frame in a 2020 navigator. I have a HB titanium 140 and a northern industrial 120v mig and flux. Or just call a pro welder. Thanks

[@robertclymer6948]

Good Stuff! Very useful for me to decide on an entry level Mig welder. Appreciate your input and comparisons . Cheers from Motown

[@under_wraps]

If you were to modify your options since technology has now come far in the last 4 years what would you suggest??????

[@runningwater5936]

If you put the thickness knob at 3/8 for 3/8" metal or 10, and then look at the setting info on the lid, you will find that the recommenced setting for 0.45 flux core wire is J/8.5. I brought this discrepancy to the attention of Harbor Freight Technical Support but they had to escalate it to a corporate engineer, I understand. Also, another example of a discrepancy, for instance, is the recommended setting for 0.035 solid wire and C100. On the lid for 240 volts for 1/8" it says D4 but if you set the left knob at 1/8" on the front panel to 1/8" the corresponding point is midway between 6 and 7. Are the synergic settings and the manual settings supposed to be so much different? I understand you are supposed to refer to the chart on the lid for the manual settings and for the synergic settings, you go by the orange highlighted thicknesses that are around the thickness knob. Can anyone explain the discrepancies I have found? Thanks.

[@Incaensio]

there are some nice anti-spatter sprays out there.

[@DG-jq7il]

Great to see content going up on this channel

[@rbridges018]

Hey great video! But what about the difference between gases and spools needed to use with the various welders?(I’m a novice whose interested in buying a welder for my project cars/trucks)

[@Smokeyfilms_]

Definetly sold me this welder, thanks

[@725niko]

Are you going to use these same welders if you were going to build, say a Baja frame with lots of tubular steel? Or does it matter compared to welding sheet metal like restoring cars? Same question goes for if you need to fix frame problems on cars during restoring or anything related

[@okibrian]

Do I need to worry about damaging electronics while welding on a car and if so, what do I need to do to protect it?

[@onestepbeyond5221]

If you're a beginner and choose to go for a mig welder for car sills metal, what power is best.. 80 100 135 etc.. to avoid disappointment 🤔

[@MichaelGallagher97]

Thanks for making this and putting it out so quickly too!

[@xnadave]

Please keep making these videos. That's super-helpful.

[@davidmilligan5237]

your video was EXTREMELY Helpful....Many Thanks!

[@chased365]

Does the MigMAX 215 welder require gas? Harbor frieght site says works with or without shielded gas. I’m a newb just want to know if need to get a gas bottle too.

[@lukerobinson8843]

i have a problem with my weld it can take gas and a]gasless and when i use 0.06 wire it get suck at the feed line

[@LunarOutlawsGarage]

I have my stepbrothers Lincoln mig welder but it is on a 120v and is not able to do what I need for my channel

[@rcjFrankson]

It'a Cool, and ya. Good representation, and Info. On and About Fab... Look forward, to more of your New Channel. B is for Bro. Romon in Review

[@maxthebeutifulbride370]

Hey i want to make go karts and cross carts what type of welding machine and how ''strong'' does it need to be

[@chadfield376]

Great video on the welding machine recommended uses. Which welder would you recommend for doing a proper floor pan replacement? Sounds like I could get by with the $50 HF version since the welds would be covered but once I got comfortable, the Vulcan version you have seems like it would be a better value in the long run. Thanks.

[@classicrides8656]

This helped with my decision on getting a welder thanks so much

[@trynsucceed]

Second, great to see the roll cage installed already

[@bradleynevills4444]

I have a Hobart mig 140 and that thing is awesome

[@Bennys310]

Rip Eric, the original welder legend.

[@piait.yunususkywatcher2977]

215 and 225 which is the best help me differentiate?

[@oilcan77]

I love that the Vulcan is sitting in a small puddle of water.

[@steelavocado1]

I've got my 80 dollar Chinese flux core welder. It sucks, but i can lay decent bead since Ive got a lot of practice with it lol.

[@justintasht1067]

Second lol. Keep them up and coming. Loving the new build aswell 👍

[@Stevesmith-yw7cr]

Never get a mig machine as your first welder was the advice given to me of an old time welder who is now long gone. He recommended as my first welder .....an oxy acetylene torch. Way more useful...heating metal to bend....brazing....hardening metal....welding everything even aluminum....and even heats up your coffee. Older aircraft were often welded with an oxy acetylene torch. It was at one time before tig, the only acceptable way to weld chrome moly tubing for aircraft and race cars. Learn to weld with a torch and then tig and mig is very easy. Mig for your first welder will give you easy welds....and often good looking welds....but often allows for bad habits to be gotten away with. A good torch will give you the ability to learn how to tig much easier as mig is just sometimes too easy. Welding is a learnable skill and with enough practice, you can get really good at it. Mig is just too darned easy and lets you get away with things that a welding torch or a tig machine will not. With a torch as your first welder, your mig welds will be much better when you get a mig machine.

[@LarsPantsonFars]

Appreciate the video, but your Vulcan is literally sitting in a puddle.... kinda asking for trouble when dealing with essentially an electronic metal glue gun.

[@piait.yunususkywatcher2977]

what gases really best for mig help me my friends?

[@wardnemo]

Where can you get the gas for the welder?

[@dravenholmes0]

Somebody please teach chris some welding terminology ZAP ZAP ZAP 😂 I think he means tack tack tack

[@Talon-6]

This video was so helpful thank you

[@Boosted26L]

Alot of flux core wires require gas and dont produce much spatter. The gasless flux core is the trash that leaves alot of spatter.

[@peterxyz3541]

Thanks for educating me 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@welderstv4947]

What is better Mig or tig or smaw

[@Lowdown13blues]

Hi Is the mig welder AC or DC for aluminum ? Thank you

[@Ben_here_b4]

Great video and info, thanks so much!

[@simon83thorpe]

This is just what I needed, thanks bro

[@sandyknight8508]

Best using Oxy/Acetylene on cars but will take many hours/years! of experience, especially on rusty heeps but mig is best on new panels as it wont warp.

[@craigjohnston3431]

Oh my gosh thank you for this episode!!!!!

[@RetiredRoadTrips]

That Harbor Freight/Chicago electric welder spatters because it is an AC welder not DC. If you convert it to DCEN then it works much better. The larger welders are better but the small one can be converted.

[@Markinthemiddle]

Great video thanks

[@chucktaylor4958]

Good solid advice.

[@franciscoramos2413]

Great advice. Thanks

[@chrisc8002]

What about multi process welders?

[@mialu4388]

Great Vd! May I know if you are interested in adding Android car stereo into your editing material?

[@Word569]

The warranty is down to 3 months now on the Vulcan Migmax 215! That's pretty short.