In the market for a welder, help me out?

[ElJimo]

I have some rust issues on my car and i'm looking to chop it out and patch it up with some new metal. I took welding in high school (mostly just stick, i dabbled in mig and torch as well), but it's been two years since i've actually done anything.

Anywayssss, i'll be doing mostly cosmetic stuff, nothing structurally serious.
Would this work for my needs?

http://www.harborfreight.com/merchandising-promotions/sem/chicago-welding/wire-welder-90-amp-flux-68887.html

There is one on CL for 70 bucks right by where i live, thinking i might go pick it up.
Input is appreciated, thanks guys.

[jaywood]

That'll work for body work

[ElJimo]

Thanks.

[E30SPDFRK]

That will work, but it won't be pretty. Flux core is mainly for just making things stick, not for cosmetics. You'll need a shielding gas for that.

I believe you can hook gas up to that welder. If not, both Miller and Lincolns base models start at about $850 new, then you'll need a tank for the gas and a bunch of welding accessories (helmet, gloves, regulator, etc.), so about $1000 total.

[tinkwithanr]

You get what you pay for with welders. That will stick stuff together, but it'll be a bitch trying to make it look pretty.

[flyboyx]

that harbor freight welder is shit. this is why the cl guy is selling it. as mentioned above, you can stick 2 pieces of metal together and thats it. find a hobart mig welder with a regulator that is set up for gas. you can find them for less than 300.00 used with a cylinder for c25.

[andrewm]

the HF welders are horrid. I ended up with a mid level Hobart with regulator, but I still only run flux core. Incredible difference.

[TurboJake]

It'll do what you want, but it wil not be nearly as cleam, easy, or fun as it would be with something better. HF is best left to hand tools.

[ElJimo]

You get what you pay for with welders.

unfortunately, being a college student, i don't have any real money. Guess it'd be better for me to just wait until i can afford the real thing.

I figured this would be the response, so i'm guessing this would not be worth my time.

Anyways, thanks for your opinions guys. I appreciate the help

[butters]

you might consider doing the prep work yourself and going to a professional or looking on CL for a trade to do the job right with good equipment.

[F34R]

Just save and buy a used Miller. Does not matter how old it is, just make sure everything works and you will be set!

We had an old ass industrial Miller from the 70s. Would do up to 3/4" and never let us down. Just got too rough and could not get the parts it needed.

[ElJimo]

you might consider doing the prep work yourself and going to a professional or looking on CL for a trade to do the job right with good equipment.

nahhh, the reason i bought this car in the first place is becuase i want to learn how to do things like this. I miss welding and want to get back into it.

Just save and buy a used Miller. Does not matter how old it is, just make sure everything works and you will be set!

We had an old ass industrial Miller from the 70s. Would do up to 3/4" and never let us down. Just got too rough and could not get the parts it needed.

I'll just keep a look out on CL and if anything comes up that isn't too pricey, i just may have to grab it.