JAMADOR wrote:
Omterry wrote:
little Miller 120v welder I got to build my car is my life’s favorite tool
Did a brief search, looks like the cheapest Miller is just shy of $1k, not including a cart, gas, hood & gloves.
Boy, I'm sorry to hear that. After trying some other welders (Harbor Freight flux core, scratch start TIG from ThermalArc) I bought a Miller 110V MIG welder. It has been 100% bullet proof for 7-8 years.
That said, you can get a small scratch/lift start TIG welder for $300-400 that will do the job for a Locost build. You probably spend another $300 on a helmet, tank and basic tools and welding rod.
Usually at that price they'll be limited to 1/8-3/16 steel (no aluminum), but they'll do all the basics you need. Just get a lot of practice on thin walled steel. Get scrap pieces from a steel supplier in your area and expect to consume a tank of argon or two (and do some tungsten grinding) before you're good enough to tackle your chassis.
Building a welding cart is a good first project. Also, as a second project, I would highly recommend building a rotisserie for your chassis. That allows you to rotate the chassis so that almost every weld is a flat, horizontal weld, which makes things much, much simpler. Out of position welds (vertical, downhill, overhead) require more skill and practice.
I don't follow the welder market day-to-day, but some of the lower cost MIG units from Harbor Freight and others are starting to get pretty good reviews. I don't know what they cost.
Good luck to you,
P.S. Check on welding classes at adult education units of you local high schools, or evening/weekend welding classes on your local community college. It's a good way to start skill building without having to buy a welder.
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New Miller MIG gun is almost 50% the price of the machine, assuming I'm looking at the right model. I think he said it only needs a new trigger, not sure if that's a serviceable part, or if the whole gun needs replaced.
