15 minutes ago, grannyknot said:

Don't buy it from Harbor Freight, at least get an entry level Lincoln Mig, Craigslist is a good place to start. Once you get one you'll be surprised how often you use it.

This is a very good suggestion.

Also be sure you have another alert person as a fire watch for the top side. Take the seat out and some wet towels if it comes to that...

Don't use my son!!! Who didn't notice the smoke at all!

I was like,  "Where's that smoke coming from???? "

"What smoke?"

Torched the wiring harness because he was zoning out!

45 minutes ago, grannyknot said:

Don't buy it from Harbour Freight, at least get an entry level Lincoln Mig,

Thanks, I was looking there!

 

27 minutes ago, Patcon said:

Also be sure you have another alert person as a fire watch for the top side.

Exactly what I was thinking, thanks.

7 hours ago, Mark Maras said:

Also, enough protective gear (leather) to protect you from sparks when you're welding overhead.

Something like this? 

 If burns are badges of honor, I've got more than Gen. MacArthur. Even had one that burned a small hole in my eardrum. But I regress. I've found that it's very difficult to make a quality, good looking weld when one is flinching from pain and wondering where and when the next one is going to land.

 Reviewing the suggestion above, I'd suggest a bit better coverage of one's important bits.

Edited January 24, 20187 yr by Mark Maras

21 hours ago, Zed Head said:

Could also be a good reason to buy a MIG welder.

Speaking from the experience of having just bought a baby MIG welder, you (rcb280z) should totally buy a MIG welder! I'm very happy I got mine, and I've only had it for a couple weeks.

HAHA! that's funny Greg! Trust me, if I had to dress like that to weld, then I wouldn't be welding 

I'm sure I'll get to feel the pain. But hopefully not like Mark. Burning a hole in the eardrum had to hurt.

 

16 minutes ago, charliekwin said:

Speaking from the experience of having just bought a baby MIG welder, you (rcb280z) should totally buy a MIG welder! I'm very happy I got mine, and I've only had it for a couple weeks.

Any suggestions on which one to buy?

Hardly an expert here, but I bought the Lincoln Handy MIG. It's budget-friendly (~$300) and runs on 110V, which is all I have in my garage. It won't weld anything over 1/4" but I'm not doing any of that anyway. Tank and gas was about $225, plus another ~$100 at Harbor Freight for a helmet, gloves, magnets, and some other bits and pieces.

So it's a small investment. Something to consider for sure. Thanks.

 a few years back I picked up a Lincoln 140C used on CL for $350.

I had a left rail that was the same but the full length.

As others have suggested I welded in a strip of sheet metal for the bottom of the hat section.

I did get lots of little burns because I just had a sweatshirt on so wear layers if you don't have a leather welding jacket.

It came out OK but messy looking due to my lack of skill. I filled in the gaps with seam sealer and painted it.

It's good until I really do a full resto.

Edited January 24, 20187 yr by SurferD

All clothing should be cotton while welding.   NO plastic based fabrics while welding.  The plastic based stuff will melt to your skin and pull whats left of your skin off with it with it.  I've been known to weld with sandals on and have the scars to prove it.   Not smart!

Eastwood also makes a good MIG135 that is on sale often for less than $300.  I have one, no complaints about it.