twirler and welder brand recommendation

[holdenutechick]

Hey guys,

After much debate of panel beater vs DIY Daniel and I decided to give the rust repairs a go ourselves.

An FJ restorer recommended we get a car twirler.

I've noticed in the build threads people using mig welders.

Can anyone recommend any? Ideally cheap but reliable, Daniel has found a cheap gasless mig at supercheap has anyone used this one?

[wot179]

1.Dont waste your time with a gasless mig.Most are rubbish and they workout no cheaper because the fluxcore wire is substantially more expensive than regular wire.

2.No such thing as cheap AND reliable.

3.This would be my machine of choice if you want a portable unit. http://www.lincolnelectric.com.au/produ ... r-mig-180c
Theres plenty of other good ones about,but I really like these machines.

Is a twirler a rotisserie? http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Auto-Car-Bod ... 3f1160cc89

[Rusty EK]

Agree with wot , go for a gas one , heaps better
In the cheaper brands , I have two Unimigs ,a 210 and a 240 , have had them for around 8- 10 years and get used everyday , have been really reliable welders .

Did blow a board in one of them but was building a 8m ally cat at the time and was working it way hard , $200 for a new board and has been going well ever since .

Mate has had one about the same time and builds Ally boats for a living with it and has had no trouble also .

[WesternWagon]

Hi

Agree with Rusty & Wot, go the gas.

I also have a Uni Mig 220 & it does everything I need, I made my own rotisserie (twirler), cost me about $250 in steel & 100 in castors.

I would suggest you build the rotisserie and the money you save buy a decent gas Mig, you will be much happier.

Cheers

Gazza

[MeFB]

This would be my machine of choice if you want a portable unit. http://www.lincolnelectric.com.au/produ ... r-mig-180c

I've got this machine also and it is very easy to use. The reason I bought mine is because you can use the smaller 0.6mm wire for finer welds.

I'd recommend a good automatic welding mask too - makes life heaps easier

[holdenutechick]

Thanks fellas!

hey Gazza any chance you could inbox me the instructions how to make that thing? also how is it attached to the car?

[Devilrod]

Hi

Agree with Rusty & Wot, go the gas.

I also have a Uni Mig 220 & it does everything I need, I made my own rotisserie (twirler), cost me about $250 in steel & 100 in castors.

I would suggest you build the rotisserie and the money you save buy a decent gas Mig, you will be much happier.

Cheers

Gazza

Plus it's a good way to get some practice welding.

[ekstevo]

Ill vote for the lincoln I got the model before the 180c had it over 10 years still works well.
I'm not a fan of gas-less don't like heavy metal unless its coming from the speakers.
I like .8 mig wire the smaller machine is much easier to move around the building or anywhere.
If you wanna play cars you need real toys. Still for a lot of welding on the ek the oxy is better you'll want an oxy also. That is all the old blokes had.

[MeFB]

Ill vote for the lincoln I got the model before the 180c had it over 10 years still works well.
I'm not a fan of gas-less don't like heavy metal unless its coming from the speakers.
I like .8 mig wire the smaller machine is much easier to move around the building or anywhere.
If you wanna play cars you need real toys. Still for a lot of welding on the ek the oxy is better you'll want an oxy also. That is all the old blokes had.

Man, I'd love to be able to hammer-weld with an oxy set (and a hammer of course)

[Trev]

Ill vote for the lincoln I got the model before the 180c had it over 10 years still works well.
I'm not a fan of gas-less don't like heavy metal unless its coming from the speakers.
I like .8 mig wire the smaller machine is much easier to move around the building or anywhere.
If you wanna play cars you need real toys. Still for a lot of welding on the ek the oxy is better you'll want an oxy also. That is all the old blokes had.

Man, I'd love to be able to hammer-weld with an oxy set (and a hammer of course)

Probably the best thing I did before taking on the wagon re-build was a welding and panel beating coarse at tafe.
They taught us to oxy weld and shape metal, I love it

[MeFB]

That TAFE course sounds like a good idea. Did it run for very long? I'm thinking that I could fit it in after this project I'm working on is finished

[Trev]

16 week coarse.
Did one welding coarse and one restorers coarse, so 32 weeks all up just for a basic idea of what to do .

[MeFB]

Sweet - thanks

[bootlegger]

Id recommend a welding course also. I would hate to hear that the rotisserie you made failed and the car crashed down on top of you. Welding isn't that easy. If you are doing body metal you really have to control the distortion. Its real easy to turn your panel into a twisted mess.

[holdenutechick]

Hey guys, there's migstar welders on ebay that go for like $500 ish
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/New-250A-Gas ... 3f0d5de220

any good?