The primary reason for welding is to create powerful bonds, and the only way you can achieve that is by utilizing a welding machine with properties necessary for a perfect weld. The purpose for which a car is used is enough reason for you to want to invest in a powerful welder; you not only need strong bonds but durable ones, to prevent repeat operations or disaster.
MIG welders do have varying properties, thus making it difficult for users to choose the right one for their car’s bodywork. And since there is no one size fits all, we decided to review a few of the best MIG welders for car bodywork, to make your job easy when selecting a welder.
Comparison Table
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Best MIG Welder for Car Body Work
For your car’s bodywork, the Weld pro comes highly recommended because for one it is a multipurpose welder with MIG and TIG. The machine has been optimized for aluminum, stick and true lift TIG welding, and it’s design and use are pretty intuitive. The machine has also been equipped with a display feature, which enables a welder to see the parameters that they are working with such as amperage and wire speed.
Specs
- Welding: 19ga – 0.197 in
- TIG needle diameter: 0.063 0.094,
- Machine dimensions 17.7 x 8.7 x 15 inches
The machine also comes incorporated with a temperature and overload protection feature that helps ensure the safety of its users. And for your car bodywork, you have both TIG and MIG, which makes welding the car body quite easy, and since you will be working with different materials and plate gauge, you have been provided with a range of settings that you can easily tweak to suit the running project.
And to enable you work on your project once the machine is out of the box, the manufacturers have included a few items that are used with the unit such as the copper hoop for the TIG welding gas connection, there is a gas hose, an electrode holder and an earth clamp.
Pros
- Perfect for car bodywork
- Weld pro 200Amp is a multi-purpose welding machine
- The machines is a synergically designed MIG/Flux Core welder
- Amperage and wire-speed operations can be seen via the dual digital display
Cons
- The gauge is not very effective
- Needs constant cleaning
Verdict
There is no need to look any further if you want a fairly priced welder with the capabilities to handle your car body works, Weld pro 200Amp is a multi-purpose machine that does more than MIG/flux core welding.
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Miller Electric 211, 120/240VAC
By adopting the Miller Electric welding machine you can be sure that you are going to get value for your money. The machine welding gun has been optimized for comfort, even more, important is that the welder has been made with a durable aluminum and steel material and comes at an affordable price given its functionality.
Specs
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- Machine dimensions 23.8 x 15.2 x 16.2 inches
- Input Voltage 240VAC
- Rated Output 150A @ 21VDC
- Wire Size 0. 023 In. to 0. 035 In.
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The Miller Electric welding machine is known for doing outstanding jobs, users also get to enjoy a wide variety of settings, which is convenient in ensuring that their project achieves the desired results. And like most welders, the manufacturer included a chart inside the door of the welder to help guide its users in case they need direction.
At the voltage area of the welding machine, you have been provided with a plate gauge guide, which helps you in checking the sizes of the weld, such as misalignments, and weld lengths. The machine is also equipped with 10ft long leads that will be perfect for a stock torch, remember that good leads are necessary if you want to achieve a good welding arc and a well-done weld.
Therefore, having good lead connections helps minimize electrical shock hazards.
Pros
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- Features a wide range of settings for the users
- Works well on automotive projects
- The Stock MIG gun works perfectly
- Made from high quality and durable aluminum and steel material
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Cons
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- Has not incorporated Stick or TIG capabilities
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Verdict
Miller is a reputable company and its products should suffice for the purpose for which they are designed. However, when you decide to go with the Miller Electric welder then you might have to find an alternative for the machine’s short leads. Being TIG and Stick disabled should not deceive you into thinking that the machine isn’t effective, on the contrary, it will do a perfect job on an automotive project.
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Suncoo 130 MIG Welder Flux core Wire Automatic Feed Welding Machine
Suncoo 130 MIG welder will give you an easy time while working on your car body, this is so because it does not require gas to operate, which gives the user liberty to work from any position that they deem fit. The machine is not only durable but also features a compact design and is easy to move around, and in case you have projects on thin metal plates like iron and steel then the Suncco 130 MIG is your companion.
Specs
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- Machine dimensions 13.4 x 7.2 x 11.4 inches
- Features 2 air-vents
- 10 levels of wire feeding speeds
- Welding wire diameter 0.6-0.9
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Suncoo 130MIG is a versatile machine that apart from the heavy industrial jobs it can also be used by a beginner in doing the household repairs of mild steel and iron plates. The effectiveness of the machine has been proved by its ability to weld a maximum of 1 kg welding wires.
Users also have the freedom of setting the recommended parameters with regard to the type of metal that they are working with. To which end you have been provided with up to 4 buttons for flow adjustments.
Enthusiasts in the welding industry are familiar with the problem of wire feeding when using a MIG welder. Suncoo has, therefore, simplified the process by incorporating a rotary knob in the wire feeding mechanism, that gives users seamless experience during adjustments, as they work on their projects.
The No gas feature obliterates any chances of oxidation on the part that you have already welded, as the cored wire self releases the metal inert gas during welding. And the feature that makes Suncoo stand out from other welding machines is the extra storage space at the top of the welder. The above is convenient when you have extra welding wire and lack proper storage space.
The suncoo welding unit also comes with some other necessary accessories, which are the welding columns, the welding gun, wire, and a welding mask.
Pros
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- The machine is versatile can thus be used in a variety of applications
- Safety measures have also been instituted in the manufacture of the welder via the solid ground cord.
- Features two air vents to help with heat dissipation
- Comes with many complementary pieces of equipment
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Cons
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- Setting it up for the first time is not easy
- Not convenient for beginners
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Verdict
Suncoo 130 MIG welder is a balance of functionality and professionalism, though it might be hard for beginners to use, the machine can handle more than the home repairs. Investing in the machine for your car bodywork is a great idea given the adjustable features that enable a user to obtain the perfect weld for their projects.
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Lotos MIG 140 140 Amp Mig wire welder and Flux core welder
The Lotos MIG 140 140 Amp MIG wire welder has to be the easiest machine to set for both the beginners and experts alike, because once out the box, you can have it up and running in less than 15 minutes. The machine is recommended for use with aluminum, mild steel and stainless steel, and as you work on your car body, you have been provided with a wire-speed display to enable you to keep tabs on its speed and prevent unnecessary tangling of the wires.
Specs
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- Machine dimensions 22 x 10 x 16 inches
- Wire Range 025″-. 030
- input voltage: 110/120v
- Rated Output–140-amp MIG welder
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Lotos MIG 140 140 Amp has also been equipped with a 2t manual and a 4t semi-automatic switch so that while you are working on your car’s body, you can just release your finger and continue working for extended hours. And when it comes to the wire feed speed, users don’t have to struggle and end up with less than an appealing weld.
The wire feed speed and the welding voltage can thus be easily adjusted via the two digital displayers and even more interesting is that you can use the welding machine on aluminum, stainless steel, and mild steel. Upon purchase, the user will be able to get some of the significant accessories attached to the unit like an argon regulator, a gas hose, a MIG torch, and a ground clamp cable.
Pros
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- Can be used by both beginners and professionals alike
- The machine is pretty intuitive with the many adjustable features
- Features a thermal overload protection system
- The 2T and 4T switch enables long periods of welding
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Cons
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- Comes at a steep price
- Does not include a spool gun in the accessories
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Verdict
Adjustable features abound when using the Lotos MIG 140 140 Amp MIG wire welder, the machine is easy to set up. The only significant downside is that a user has to get a spool gun separately upon purchase; besides the price might be a bit high compared to other welders but when you look at the functional features it kind of justifies it.
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Hobart 500559 Handler 140 MIG Welder
For smoother and stable results when it comes to welding your auto body then the Hobart 500559 handler 140MIG welder is your welding machine. Besides, when working on your car body a lot of operations are involved and you might have to use different types of metals, which then means that you need a welding machine that can tackle the different metal textures such as the Hobart 500559 handler.
Specs
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- Wire Feed Speed Range 40 – 700 IPM
- Machine dimensions 19 x 11 x 13 inches
- Amperage output: 25–140
- Features a 5 position voltage control selector
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An auto bodywork requires the welder to be keen to achieve a durable and stable weld, what’s more, is that the welding machine has to incorporate features that will help you attain a smooth and stable arc. Now the above parameters will be a pipe dream if your welding machine doesn’t have a voltage control selector.
And the good thing with the Hobart 500559 Handler is that you get up to 5 positions of the voltage control selector, so you can be sure that all the welding thicknesses will get the smooth and stable arcs.
The machine’s versatility when it comes to the types of metals that you can work with are quite impressive and here you get titanium, copper, magnesium alloys, cast iron, brass, and aluminum.
Pros
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- Can comfortably handle up to ¼ inch of steel
- Setting the welding machine up for use takes less time
- Can be adopted for use with different types of metals
- A stable and smooth arc can be achieved via the 5 position voltage control selector
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Cons
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- Comes at a steep price
- The cooling fan makes a lot of noise
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Verdict
The Hobart 500559 handler does have some downsides that don’t outweigh the pros, the machine can thus be set up easily and will not ruin the projects that you are working on with delicate metal.
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Forney Easy Weld 261, 140 FC-i MIG Welder
At 140amps the Forney Easy Weld 261 is perfect for your auto body works, but you can always search for a welding machine that can give you more options when it comes to amperage diversity. If you have a tight budget and need to work your car’s body then Forney Easy Weld should suffice, however, you should also be informed that it does come with short leads.
Specs
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- The machine uses 0.30, flux core wire
- Amp output is 140
- Incorporated is a 20A-15A adapter
- Machine dimensions 16.7 x 12 x 8.1 inches
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The one thing that sets Forney aside from the other welding machines in the industry is their detailed instruction manual. The feature makes it easy for beginners and professionals to carry out a seamless auto body project.
The Portable welder at only 19lbs is easy to carry around for the DIY projects, and other services like metal fabrication and repair. And when it comes to achieving a perfect weld or arc, users have been granted the freedom to control the wire speed feed and the voltage. And since the welder can handle 2 and 10-pound rolls of wire, you can also use it for your daily welding activities without it giving in.
The significant features that should make you turn your head in case you passed the Forney welder in the stores is that it is a gassless/flux-core welding only machine, is portable and features a torch wrap.
Pros
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- Retails at a fairly low price given its functionality
- Using the machine does not involve a steep learning curve
- The machine is powerful given the 140Amp output
- Light in weight thus easy to carry around
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Cons
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- Does not have Stick or TIG options
- Features some very short leads
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Verdict
Forney easy weld can work on a car’s body and give an appealing finish, and users can also use the machine day in, day out without it giving in. What’s more is that it can be adopted by both the novice and experts because of the instruction manuals that come with the welding unit, which makes it easy to use the machine.
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Conclusion
Settling with the right type of welder when it comes to auto body works is not as easy and before you make that decision there are some factors that you have to consider. For example, the size or thickness of the metal that will be welded, the type of metal whether aluminum or steel. To which case you will go with steel because cars are rarely made with aluminum.
The amount of current in your establishment will also determine the success of your project, 220volts should, therefore, suffice. With the above information, it is fair to conclude that MIG welders are the best and the review up there should at least be able to suffice one of your needs.
