welder help - what to buy?

Hey guys, I've never really welded much before, maybe like once or twice high school or something, but really I have no idea what I'm doing. But i'm a firm believer in doing things yourself, so I wanna learn. I'm looking to buy a welder that will do basic jobs on my mazda, shavein some stuff, and i wanna be able to bag it ... of course i'm gonna practise first! .. but i was lookin in a princess auto flyer, and they have a welder on sale real cheap, so i'm wondering if it will do the job for me? or if i should't waste my time and save for something more relyable. Or if this is powerful enough for my needs.

Specs:

name brand is "power fist" i think.
80A ARC Welder
-114V, 20A input
-Duty cycle:
80 amps @ 10%
60 amps @ 20%
-Automatic thermal shutdown protection
-Adjustable AC output current welds from 18 gauge to 1/8 steel.
-Fore use with 1/16" and 5/64" welding rods
- WT 32.1 Lbs
-Price $79.99 CAN

pigpen, my friend, go to your home depot in your area, and pick up a lincon migpak 100, the same one i got and u know what it can do, i bought mine for 450$ on sale, canadian tire has the same one but more money, you've seen mattys nissan, the lincon did the whole thing

ARC welders are like fat chicks at a party, everyone has a turn but you never tell your friends about it

lol thanks for the reply mike... gotcha, i'll save up...

oh, did you get my email i sent you? ... my brakelines are busted again!! not my fault this time... it got pinched between the axle and a peace hanging down from the frame...

what do ask for at crappy tire? what size? .. and how much did you buy last time? ... check ur email

'Ey, well you should also look into a lincoln electric. They high quality welders that get the job done right! Its a very small welder that can still deliver the heat. We use the 110 volt in my auto body shop. And it does the job well for auto repair.

They may have some deals going on, if not, you can still get a package deal. Although, you will need to buy the tank, etc.

Having quality for this, is important. You want to make sure you have a welder that can weld the thickness of metal your using!

As for learning how to weld, there is no way to understand it until you do it. Its all in the feeling, knowing the welder, and the metal. PM me if you ever need help on how to weld!

go to welding supply store and tell them what you want.

they know the most.

thanks guys, i decided on a lincoin 100 hd ... its a wire fed, flux core, but for 120 bucks or something, i can buy an upgrade package, and adapt it to mig... i think thats the best bet... flux will give me something to start with... and room for upgrade

i'm buying it monday, payday!

lincoln 100HD 339
MIG hook up 120

Total 459

for that price. you can buy a Lincoln 3200 HD MIG welder. a lot better machine. comes with MIG already and it comes with the regulator. 3200HD is a better deal for exactly $459

im getting these prices from Home Depot


and for a world of difference, you can spend another 150 and get you a lincoln 175 220v Mig welder. comes with regulator as well for the gas.


if you're going to buy the 100 and get a mig kit, get the 3200 instead in one shot and you'll be set for a good while.


EDIT: here's a link searchResults.jsp&MID=9876&N=2984+3966&pos=n24

just go to welders