I do not know how to weld at all.I want to learn so I can do some rust work on my Bronc.I dont have 220 here so I have to run on 110 to power it.I just want to be able to do body type welding.I may get into more later but thats a ways off.I have seen flux core deals that run on 110 and dont need gas.I dont want to dump a ton of cash on one till Im better at it.I just want to get some ideas as to what I should be looking for.Any low cost options to learn and do light metal work?

im not even that into it either yet, but all you need for bodywork welding is 110. thins metal is easier to work with, but youll need gas to make the work come out clean on bodywork. are you planning on a nice resto job, or it is just tying up some loose ends?

learn?...check with the local trade schools...we have one here that is relatively cheap and its in the evenings and you learn at your own pace.

I have rust issues and I want to be able to replace the rear wheel arches and such by myself.I am good with fillers and grinding but welding I know nothing.My plan was to go to a local metal shop and get/buy some of the scrap metal they have just to practice on.I plan to cut out the arches and inner wheel wells and weld and glue in new metal.

110 is fine for welding sheetmetal. Lincoln makes some GREAT 110 welders but they do run a bit pricy. Don't you have a dryer? Even if its shared you could borrow the power for 30 minutes. There are also some good learning-to-weld videos out there, they work. This place (http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/NTESearch?storeId=6970&N=0&Ntk=All&Ntt=welding%20video&Nty=1&D=welding%20video&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Dx=mode+matchallpartial) has some. On the other hand, friends work well too.

My dryer is on the second floor of my house so I cant use it.Do I need the gas or can flux core work well enugh?I was told the gas cuts down on splash and contaminated welds.

The GAS units do cut down on the splash and have a little better welds.
I have a Lincoln 110v MIG WELDER, I currently run spools of wire with flux inside of the wire. Its easy to use for the beginner, but if you want to change to gas later on, they sell a conversion kit for about $120 to go to gas, or you could change the wire and weld Aluminun also, but you still have to change out the feeder tube inside the guns hose.

I like mine for quick repairs, 1/4" or below, it won't weld thicker stuff, not enough heat produced. :beer

Can you get flux core in .023? I think so but can't remember. I think you'll want .023 for welding sheetmetal, assuming you're gonna go wire-feed

The 110v is all you need for sheet metal. If you are doing patch work instead of panel replacement, the gas would produce the cleanest weld and less grinding. Don't try to weld more than an inch at a time on sheet metal, (warpage). The use of klecko pins is good for holding panels in place. The linclon has both wire speed and heat adjustments. The Co2 and Argon mix is the best, unless you are working overhead (argon is heavier than air). You could also try renting one. Good luck :thumbup

110V without gas (flux core) is a piece of shit, get a decent Miller or Lincoln WeldPac 110V welder with gas, otherwise your just pissing your money away. You wont do much thicker than 1/8" with good penetration, so do expect to do any spring hangers or bumpers.

Others will chime in, they have there opinion, **** it, I tried to steer you right.
Ill get a PM from you in a year after you went through 2 or 3 piece of junk welders and you will tell me "You know, you were right".

If you cant afford a REAL NAME BRAND welder (makes all the difference) then save up. A poor man cant afford to buy 2 welders, get the right on the first time. Sorry to bust your bubble if theres something I said that you dont like.

BTW, THE R8RZ is offering good advice also! :twotu:

Andrew

another thing.. as was said about warpage with sheetmetal while welding.. every time you make a weld and stop, cool it with a wet cloth. this will let you adjust the metal as you go at the proper temp, not 200 degrees. :thumbup