wrote in message
...
On Tue, 01 Jan 2008 09:26:13 -0500, Jim Elbrecht
wrote:

I've started thinking that I'd like to try some welding. Mostly
for quick repairs on old equipment- but also for light fabrication.

I was thinking of getting one of the $100 MIG welders from Harbor
Freight just to see if this was something I could learn. But then I
read on some tutorial online that MIG was not good for painted or
rusted surfaces- and most of what I'll be welding will probably be
both.

So-- do I switch gears and look at a different setup- or get used to
using a wire brush?

Any suggestions for a must read first book that might help me choose a
welder- and then how to use it?


[Suggestions of websites- forums- and Usenet groups appreciated.]

Thanks-
Jim

But it at Harbor Freight, and you'll be tossing it in the garbage by
next New Year. Spend the extra money and get something that will
last.

To prepare painted or rusty metal, be sure you have an angle grinder.
Wire brushes are far too slow for most work. You can put both a
grinder wheel and a wire wheel on the angle grinder. I own 3
grinders. One has a cutting wheel, one has a grinding wheel, the 3rd
has a wire wheel. It's just too much hassle to keep changing wheels
during a job. I'll have to admit that the wire wheel grinder is just
one of those cheap imports that cost under $20. The ones that get the
hard work are better quality. Angle grinders are one of the easiest
way to cut metal in a small home setup, unless you got lots of money
to buy power tools and torches made for cutting metal.

I personally own and use an old Sears AC stick welder. It gets the
job done. Knowing how to weld is 90% of the job.
Check out this website. Lots of tips and stuff to learn from:
http://www.millerwelds.com/resources...ng-your-skills
They have a PDF file on there to download and it's full of good
educational stuff about welding.

Having multiple grinders is about one of the handiest things I can think of.
I got a four plug on the end of my extension cord, and have a grinder,
electric brush and a paddle sander.

Steve