Body Work & Welding Options

[KilgoreTrout]

Whatever route you choose for welder, be prepared to spend an equal amount on all the accessories. I bought a Lincoln Mig 180 (220v) for my son for this past xmas for around $550 at Lowes. The cart, gas, wire spool, mask, gloves was another $400 plus I had to add a 220v 50 amp circuit. I tried a 110 welder on a dedicated 20amp circuit and anytime I tried welding on high power it would pop the breaker.

That's the truth. I just bought that gas for 180, then decided I needed new gloves and a new autodark helmet. Heh.
It all adds up really quick..

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[73c20jim]

My truck is at the body shop because I or the HF welder suck. Or both.

 

[4WDKC]

IIRC Century was made by Lincoln. I have a friend who has one and it's a very nice machine.

They are but they are not the same quality of Lincoln for obvious reason. A friend bought a 220v one back in 2010 and it server well for everything he has used it for, it still works today. I personally do not like fluxcore, the weld isnt as nice requires more cleanup. Brazing thin sheet metal is an art form that is difficult to do without warping thin sheet metal. Cutting its good for rough ins but you need to be aware of everything around it. When we repaired my friend above's Malibu we used 4.5 cut off wheels to remove the bad metal, if you have room a portaban is a nice cut off tool. A tig welder would have been another nice option but they are not cheap.