toymaster

The OP was 'cheap but effective'. I have been welding for several decades and have a full welding shop at my house. When I weld now I grab my miller 250 mig but that is a retail of $2500 now plus the expense of gas, nozzels, wire, etc. I also have a little very portable miller power supply I use for DC stick or tig but that is close to $1000 for the power source plus whatever other set-up you want. The list goes on but none of it is 'cheap'. I do not like flux filled wire guns nor do they penetrate well.

To get a proper mig set-up ain't cheap. The lincoln cracker box I suggested is a powerful welder which can also gouge (cut). It ain't pretty but it is cheaper than a torch or plasma. It is what I started out with so long ago when I did not have any money. Now that I do have money I still have the machine, don't use it, but it ain't goin' no where.

To sum it up you can have 'cheap' and you can have 'effective' but to have both is asking a lot.

rutdigger

Agreed..

MPurdy

I have This Lincoln 110 mig I nuse almost every day in my truck, I have repaired alot of hydraulic cylinders that have cracked with it, as well as truck bumpers on docks. it may take a few passes but I have no fear. I have had this unit for 5 years and have only replaced contact tips and a nozzle. I USE IT ALOT! but This is not the unit from Home Depot, it looks just like it and probablyhas a better duty cycle. Entry price approx 650.00 with gas kit then about 60.00 to 70.00 for a cylinder from a good welding shop.

MPurdy

I made the cart myself. It's a great first project.

MFX

Licoln Mig Pak 10. I've been using this welder for years now and it's never let me down. I've fixed everything from tables and chairs, hand trucks and all other sorts of equipment and even structural cracks on my semi trailer.

RN M OVR

Thanks for the replies. I appreciate the suggestions. I'm definitely going to be looking into these. Curious, are there places where you can rent a welder for the day?

Serg5000

I know you can rent a stick welder at the SunBelt rental yards. Not sure if they rent Mig welders.

warlord

theres a rental place around here but they required you to be certified before you can rent from them.


and to all you 110 lovers
where were you when this thread was cycling around


id say since your in az just run over to rutdiggers place and use his, im sure he wont mind

Holyroller

First pick up a copy of Octobr's JP Magazine and read the article on trail welding. This will give you a simple idea of how to play with some scrap steel and stick rod before making an investment. This will get you the basic knowledge to see what direction is right for you.

Rubican

This might be helpful too.

.4wheeloffroad.com/techarticles/trail/131_1001_hobart_trek_180_mig_welder/index.html[/url]

I am looking at something like this once I get my JK and hit the trails.

I am confident in my ability to break SOMETHING!!!