MIG welding is actually very easy, anyone can do it with just a little
practice and the instruction book that comes with most welders. I don't
recommend the gasless welders because the flux from the wire is actually
just another thing that can contaminate the weld, even though it there to
protect it. If your gonna buy one, spend the extra few bucks and get the gas
shielded, you will thank yourself later. The exhaust on most all modern
vehicles is made from stainless. If your gonna weld it, its best to use
stainless wire, which requires Argon shielding gas. If you use mild steel
wire (gas shielded or flux core) the weld will be very weak and crack
easily. If your gonna weld mild steel, you should use A/G %75 gas. ( %75
Argon, %25 CO2) As for welding pipe on a vehicle, welding overhead with a
MIG ain't easy, so the bottom will look like crap. Welding vertical with a
MIG is quite easy, so the sides will look nice. Welding the top is basically
welding blind, trying to see what your doing while sticking your head up
with a helmet on looking through a 1 1/2" X 3" (most helmets) window, most
of the time you cant see crap. These TV shows where you see them hold the
pipe up and start welding, all their doing is tacking it. They don't show
you that they take it down and weld it real pretty then put it back up,
point at it and say "look, piece of cake". I've had my MIG for 6 years now,
and its right up there with my guns. If you want it, your gonna have to pry
it from my cold, dead fingers.
Mark
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