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BentleyB
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    Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:24 pm

Hi all, I'm looking at buying my first welder, I've already bought some 14 gauge steel for a project, can I weld that thin a metal with a MIG welder? and for most of my work I'm going to be doing light welding, box frame steel or aluminum structures.
Best options for me anyone?
soutthpaw
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    Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:14 pm
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    Sparks, NV

BentleyB wrote:Hi all, I'm looking at buying my first welder, I've already bought some 14 gauge steel for a project, can I weld that thin a metal with a MIG welder? and for most of my work I'm going to be doing light welding, box frame steel or aluminum structures.
Best options for me anyone?
14ga is fine for MIG welding. Do you have 220v power? What is your budget. Impossible to answer unless we know what you are willing to spend.

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Mike
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    Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:09 pm
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    Andover, Ohio

Welcome to the forum Bentley.
M J Mauer Andover, Ohio

Linoln A/C 225
Everlast PA 200
BentleyB
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    Sat Mar 26, 2016 3:24 pm

Thanks for the update,
Well, it's more a case of; at what point am I overspending for the jobs I want to do, I don;t want to spend $700+ and then find out I need to buy another machine to get the job done.
If I MIG will do it (14ga and up) then that is probably what I should look at, I think it's going to be worth my money to get a welder that can do aluminum too.
I'm using this to start making parts to furniture, table legs and such, custom made furniture, so it has to look good but nothing really structural or anything that has to hold pressure.
I suppose after researching on line there is a large range of products out their from the $200 to the $1000+ plus, are the low end products worth it or am I wasting my money?
Nick.
Poland308
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    Thu Sep 10, 2015 8:45 pm
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    Iowa

You won't regret buying a machine in the $800 plus range but you might regret spending less.
I have more questions than answers

Josh
soutthpaw
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    Thu Sep 18, 2014 12:14 pm
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    Sparks, NV

If you want to do aluminum that is less than 1/8" you want a TIG or a high quality MIG and spoolgun. Aluminum take a lot more amps for the same thickness than steel does on any process. You need AC TIG for aluminum.

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