Welder.

[Simple_serf]

Oxy

Because most of what I need to do is done in the middle of nowhere. Lack of moving parts is good... Oh, and trying to get the damn crank start Onan welder to start sucks ass.

My welding skills suck, I will admit that, but I have to use what is availiable to me. All of my most complicated welding tasks get farmed out, and even then, the pros have issues with some of it (try welding large iron castings, made of an unknown grade of iron). Brazing and jb weld is my best friend.

I have welded before with a forklift battery... that was interesting, but it worked as an emegency repair.

 

[MrE_Powers]

well if it is between the three i would have to say stick is better. you can get started for cheap. of the thick metals stick is used the most,because of better penetration. no need to get bottles of gas..

but you do have to chip and brush every pass

 

[blkmazda90]

There's also overhead, done much of that with a stick? Around tubes at different angles? .120 wall tubing? I could vertical stick weld very well, and I'm saying that it wouldn't mean shit. Yes it CAN be done, but it would suck balls. It would take forever and wouldn't be as strong/look like hell. The thought of welding up a cage with a stick welder makes my brain hurt. If you dig stick welding more power to you. It does take skill, it has it's place. Just not in my garage. Nothing I've welded in the last 7 years would have turned out any better with a stick welder. Much of it I wouldn't have been able to weld, or it would have turned out worst.

Have u every actually welded overhead with a stick maverick? it is no different then laying it flat on a bench, except the angle, but the puddle doesnt slide off the metal. You dont have to push the puddle up the surface of whatever your welding like vertical.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

I choose whatever the job dictates. I have all of them and am proficient in all processes. I do get a kick out of gouging some Air/Arc at night, fawlkin firestorm man.

 

[WildSide]

Nowadays MIG is more universal and the best choice for automotive applications I use a Lincoln 135 with 20 gauge brand wire for sheet and up to .125 steel. The new inverter TIG’s are really nice and are easier than ever to use. Oxy propane is the choice for brazing, shrinking, lead work and heavy cutting.
For you MIG welders what’s your preference, push or pull?

 

[MrE_Powers]

well got a bead on a job prospect a week ago and i just need to go in and do some weld tests. one is steel mig the other is....aluminum mig. i did not know you could mig aluminum till a few weeks ago i called my teacher from ranken up. and he showed me aluminum mig welding today at his private shop. kinda fun actually not slow like aluminum tig. so any way i declared my self ready for welding test and we will see how i do.