Posted by admin on Friday, November 26, 2010 · Leave a Comment
I'm planning on building a go-cart and possibly a mini chopper from scratch. I understand all the work that goes into such a project except for the welding portion. I keep getting conflicting views as to whether I should use use arc, tig, or mig and the voltage/amps required. I'd basically be welding together aluminum and/or steel.
I also don't want to spend an insane amount of money. I'd be willing to drop a couple hundred dollars, but no much more.
The materials I need to weld are:
1) 14 gauge aluminum square tubing
2) Flat stock aluminum
3) Angle iron
4) Bearing bracket (not sure what metal)
The thickest metal I'd be welding is about 1/4" thick.
If you are welding just steel than it would have to be a mig. mig welders are easy to use, they don't cost too much, and they make fairly good beads. However you want something to weld aluminum. Aluminum is not an easy metal to weld as there is a very delicate balance between it being hot enough and turning the whole area to a puddle(because of how well aluminum transfers heat). They sell spools for mig welders that can let them handle Aluminum but they are usually only one the more expanicive models. tig welders give you the most control over your weld, they make the strongest welds, and they will also weld just about everything however they are alot harder to use. I don't have too much experience with them so i don't really know things like how much they cost. Arc welders are cheep but they are harder to use. Especially for doing off angle welds like a vertical weld. or at least that is how it was for me. I have never used an ark welder for aluminum.
You just need to decide how much use the welder will get for each type of weld. if you need control and the ability to weld everything get a tig. if you mainly will use it for steel then the mig will be something that is very easy to learn,the hardest part is adjusting the settings. if cost is your main problem than pick up an ark but if you are doing some serous welding then i would get one of the others.
As for the voltage, look at the ratings for how much it can handle. it will usually say it can do a 1/4 inch or so.
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