Welder for Body Work

[Jesse Walter]

I need to buy a welder for some body work on my truck.  Lowes sells a Pro Core 125 welder for $419.  Would this be fine to weld on floors, sheet metal etc?  Or do I need to step up to the Pro 140?  I do have friends to borrow from but want my own and I'm on a tight budget.  Plus I have about $200 gift cards to Lowes.

Here is the link:

http://www.lowes.com/pd_2961-1703-K2479-1_4294857445_4294937087?productId=1082349&pl=1&currentURL=/pl_Welding%2Band%2BTorches_4294857445_4294937087_?cm_cr=Tools-_-Web Activity-_-Tools_A2_Activity-_-SC_Tools_Area2-_-18118_4

[fitz]

I think the 125 would be fine for body/Floor work.
When buying something like this you have to be realistic about what you will use it for. A bigger machine may come in handy down the road, but I think this would get you started on your K30 craigslist score.
 

[Irish_Alley]

body shops use the small welders also for body work, you don't have to buy the big one but do you have access to 240 or 220 what ever you want to call it

[Jesse Walter]

All the welders I'm looking at are 110v.  I think I'm going to get that Lincoln Pro 125.  Its seems like that one will do all I need it to do, plus the price seems right.  I know it will have limitations as far as what I can do.  I figure once I get good at it and want to do something more I'll get a bigger one down the road.

[Irish_Alley]

Miller welders are good plus you can get a half way one 240v for a little under 1k

[jaredts]

Its probably just me but I wouldn't get a 240v welder for body work.  Besides being overkill its just way too convenient to have a welder that you can plug in anywhere.  A 110v welder can do some serious welding to some extent anyway (5/16" thick maybe).  If you do more heavy welding than sheet metal, that's a different story.

[Jesse Walter]

Would flux core welding be fine for body work or should I get one that uses gas?

Yea, I'll be sticking with the 110v units.  My budget is under $500.

[jaredts]

Flux core is fine, but is difficult to work with.  I did body work for years with a flux core and could never get welds that looked presentable (I admit its mainly my lack of skill).  You can't re-enter a puddle because of the slag without wire brushing it first, and its just a pain in general.  Got my first mig a few months ago and its an absolute dream.  If you can afford it its worth the money.  Flux core is great for windy conditions, though.

[dv8customs]

If you will be working outdoors then the flux core will be a life saver. If you are indoors then a gas unit will do a much cleaner job and is easier to use. Both will work, but they take a little different approach.

[Irish_Alley]

I can understand the budget but a 240 isn't overkill they make them as small as 120s but if you need the power to do frame welding its there with the turn of a nob

[Destro]

FYI
You'll want mig. If yo buy the 125,it doesnt come with the tank regulators. When you buy those seperately the 125 is more money than the 140 that comes with everything.
pro125= $419+mig conversion $120=$540
pro140= $524 with everything
Buy the bigger one and save $16

or spend $14 more dollars and
or for $538 go to a welding shop and buy the better 140 without the tapped power[better] Lincoln is having a $75 rebate right now.

[Jesse Walter]

FYI
You'll want mig. If yo buy the 125,it doesnt come with the tank regulators. When you buy those seperately the 125 is more money than the 140 that comes with everything.
pro125= $419+mig conversion $120=$540
pro140= $524 with everything
Buy the bigger one and save $16

or spend $14 more dollars and
or for $538 go to a welding shop and buy the better 140 without the tapped power[better] Lincoln is having a $75 rebate right now.

I've been thinking the same thing. 

[Destro]

Do it.
I'd go with the welding shop one. Buy it once and be done with it. Better internals too