Welding equipment for classic car restorations

And if you’ve paid a welder to do bodywork more than once, think about it – can I do it myself? Is it difficult? What do I need? Images come to mind of giant gas cylinders that exploded so gloriously in cartoons. The reality has long since passed the memories. Especially technically. At some point I thought, why don’t I try it myself? I bought a welding machine, the rest is history. Trial and error really. I had the chance to get a BMW 2002 tii very cheap, needless to say it was in very poor condition. A rusty little nugget but at least complete. I had no experience myself with welding, but always wanted to try that out. And to put it bluntly, I was very successful.

Anyway, if you don’t want to give your monthly pay check to a welder for the work of three days, you might consider trying that at home as well. And welding equipment is really not that expensive, so I gave it a go. It was the first stuff that was necessary after I took the car apart and removed all the undercoating, carpet and insulation leftovers. I thought buying welding equipment and learning how to weld would give me more freedom with my restorations and I could save a dollar or two.

However, with so many different types of welding equipment available, it can be challenging to know which system is the best choice. Here’s a little guide to help you choose the right welding equipment for your car restoration needs. Again that giant gas cylinders come to mind. But that’s something you don’t have to take into account. 

First I read a lot, in forums, where you can often read the greatest nonsense. Unfortunately, that didn’t lead to much. On a trip to Tucson, AZ, I passed a body shop where an elderly man who looked like Santa Claus himself worked on an old Volkswagen. He looked like 100 years of experience and I thought I’d ask him. I got two coffees from the corner shop and approached him. And I had the most interesting conversation about welding that I can imagine. And all the tips he gave me encouraged me to buy a welder and try it. Since then I’ve welded so much, first closing roll bars, extensions, fenders, sunroofs, and later I also dared to do larger projects. Like the BMW 2002 that needed and still needs a lot of love.

MIG, TIG, Stick – Requirements for a welding machine

Vintage car restorations often require welding equipment that is very versatile and easy to use. Depending on the scope of the restoration, you may need equipment for both MIG and TIG welding, as well as plasma cutting and brazing. It’s essential to have high-quality equipment that can handle a variety of tasks to ensure that the restoration is done correctly. MIG welding is ideal for thicker materials and is quick and easy to use. TIG welding is best for thinner metals and provides precise and clean welds. Stick welding is versatile and can be used for a variety of materials, but it requires more skill to use effectively.

So when you are choosing welding equipment for car restorations, several factors should be considered. These include the power source, the size of the welding machine, the duty cycle, and the type of wire or electrode used. It’s essential to choose equipment that meets your specific needs, as well as any safety regulations that may be in place.

A versatile, easy to use and reliable option is a multi-process welder that can handle MIG, TIG, Stick, and flux-cored welding, even though not always necessary. But these machines provide the flexibility needed for car restorations and are often more cost-effective than purchasing separate machines for each welding process. Another important factor, may be not necessary to say but, is to consider when choosing welding equipment is the brand and quality. Investing in high-quality equipment from a reputable brand can ensure that your equipment lasts longer, performs better, and is safer to use. First I’ve but a system off craigslist, then I got braver and bought a decent system, but also tried other machines while helping friends with welding (with their own machines. Here are my top choices

Safety (absolutely) first

It might sound silly, but you really need to protect yourself, especially your eyes. So please do yourself a favour and wear safety glasses at all times in addition to the welding helmet with the correct grade of UV lens. Please also wear protective leather welding gloves as well as appropriate footwear with substantial uppers and rubber soles.

Top 3 welding machines for classic car restoration projects

My first system was capable of MIG, TIG and Stick welding, however, I used the TIG and Stick welding only. which somehow went into my decision for a future system. The machine broke after a few weeks, invested into the next, gave that to a friend in exchange for some garden work. Anyway, things led to another and I ended up with the first machine on the list which is my top recommendation.

1. Primeweld TIG 225X

That’s a recommendation I got from a friend in New York that I met through pelican parts after I told him about my experiences with the two following machines. Primeweld TIG 225X is a 225 amp welder which is capable of TIG and Stick welding. It works beautifully with thin materials, aluminum and stainless stell alike. The CK17 torch is super precise, comes with a very flexible hose which makes working with it a pure joy. Totally worth the money. I wish I would have bought that in the first place. Best choice in my life (in terms of welding of course).