Welding Question....

[marknmatagorda]

I have not welded in about 10 years...I want to get back into it. I don't need to weld something huge just probably 1/4 steel to build fire pits and smokers. What size welder do I need to get this done? Stick or mig?

[PEC]

I would recommed the wire feed for fire pits a sheet metal work.

[marknmatagorda]

Ok..is there a recommended minimum size for wire fed. I am not familiar at all with wire fed rigs. I always used an old stick welder.

[az2tx]

I have a 140 hobart that does most of what I need

[marknmatagorda]

thanks to all

[Jrmhunting]

I have a 140 hobart that does most of what I need

x2

[swoledouglas]

I have a Lincoln 180 and I love it.

[Lazyman]

140 would be a minimum for me to weld that thick..

[Bucksaw]

For that, Ide suggest a nice crackerbox stick welder. Any MIG that you get that is worth anything to weld that will cost at least twice what a decent stick welder is.

However, if you are going to weld thinner stuff like 14 guage, then you almost need a MIG. It all depends on what you will be using it for THE MAJORITY of the time.

[Cam-Mac]

I'm a big fan of the mig. Have done lots of fixes on trailers/etc, all the way down to super thin treestand ladders and barrel feeders. Imo you cant beat it, but they are expensive.

[Johnny F]

180 Mig would do a good job at what U described. I use a 140 Commercial Lincoln, but rarely weld 1/4".

[KHoes203]

Get you a miller 211. 110 and 220!

[tiny's taxiderm]

If its clean metal and inside a shop go with Mig. They make the smaller ones that plug in to a 110 outlet and I've repaired and built alot of stuff with 1 of them little things,I've welded on half inch material on disk and plows with it and its still holding. Its not always the size of the machine your using that matters... its how you use it.

[Longhorn1952]

140 110volt Mig should do just fine.

[Btoutdoors]

I have a mig and a stick and I rarely use the mig except for thin metal. The short leads on the mig is an inconvience to me. Probably just a personal preference but I would go with the stick.