Brad's 1954 R Series Build

I use a Lincoln 140, 110 volt. They have different models of 140 within the Lincoln line. The difference is the more expensive models have multi variable heat. & wire setting well the cheaper model like I have just has 4 heat settings & multi viable wire speed. I have used the more expensive model and myself I don't find any advantage in the multi heat settings. You can balance the arc with the wire speed nicely. In any case I have owned mine over 4 years and I promise you I have used it more already then most ever would in a life time. I have gone thru at least 10 of the medium sized gas bottles of welding gas since I have owned it without a single glitch. I have welded everything from 22 gauge sheet to 1/4 plate with it. I have welded up air tanks, high pressure plumbing, frames, lifting eyes, wheels.... You name it I have welded it with my Lincoln and have never had a weld fail yet.

I have also worked at a few shops that ran Hobart welders and have always enjoyed using them. I have never heard a single negative thing about them and have always regarded them as one of if not the best welder on the market.

I have also owned a Clark 130 mig welder in the past, it was very good as well, I put many of trouble free hours on it.

Whatever you choose be sure you have sufficient power supply and if you use an extension cord be sure it is a heavy gauge. That can make all the difference for any welder.

good advice, i appreciate it. thanks

Yep. Been down that road too. Tried eastwood's mig welders to save a few bucks. but after 2 different machines and still having all kinds of issues I returned them and bit the bullet. I opted for the Miller auto-set 180 and I absolutely love it. You just set the dial for thickness of the metal you're working on and you are good to go. It also comes with a spool gun for aluminum. Bottom line, I guess you stay with any of the top name brands and you'll have no regrets.

I use a Hobart Ironman 210, love it.
Bill

I have been using a Lincoln Power Mig 140 for body work and a Miller Thunderbolt XL 225 for a stick. I'm more a stick welder since it's what I was taught but saving my money up for a Tig. After I get moved to Az I'm planning on taking a course in welding at a local college.

Question: The clip, circled in the picture, what is that for? When i took the fenders off, I don't recall anything actually bolted in there. Maybe it should have been, but i know it wasn't. Do i need to build that into my new piece that i am going to make? I can i just delete that?

That is a blind nut. Here is a picture of something similar.
https://www.google.ca/search?q=blind+nu ... CAYQ_AUoAQ

I haven't taken the fenders off mine & can't see the pic that good. I believe what you are looking for is called a "cage nut" I know similar aged Ford's use them.

http://ca.images.search.yahoo.com/image ... r2=piv-web

These are a bunch of Ford clip nuts that I have left over. I only use this style nut when it is not possible to reach inside a panel and hold the nut. The nut kit is four pieces short and only sold in premeasured amounts. I may use a few of these on our "L" build and again on a pending "R".
AU VE CO must have something

Well, new welder purchase. I went ahead with the Hobart Handler 140. There is a nice sale going on for them this week that makes them $50 less than all the comparable welders.

After using it last night, let me say, i never ever want to weld with a crappy welder again. My spot welds were more uniform, not as highly built up. The consistency of the machine makes the welding sooooo much easier. I will never go back.

Messing with the firewall last night, the holes plugged where you cant see a weld at all after being ground...thats the new welder. The other....well that's my work with the old. Its no silver bullet, but i wish i would have gone this way from the beginning. Hopefully i will get into the garage again tonight for a couple hours after coaching my sons basketball team practice

Aftermarket A/C and heat is my plan (my brother in law deals them, so i can get a decent deal), so after filling all the holes up, eventually i will drill new ones.

54 IHC by isu_phi, on Flickr