Hi, I´m from Argentina, I wanna start with the construction of a chasis 442 and I wanna ask which is the smaller welder that can buy to weld all the type of steel that i need to the chasis. I found this formula, 1 amp for 0.01 inch of plate thickness of steel. This is true? I only need a welder with 64 amp. to weld a 1"x1" 16 swg?

Thank for your help.
And sorry for my english.

Pablo Bontempo

Buy the best you can aford. You will want around 150 amps for the 3mm plate ect.

I'll have to disagree with 150A, we used a second hand SIP 105 turbo for our 2 chassis with no problems.
Even used it for welding axle brackets on.
4 years later (for first car) still going strong!

Marcus

I'd go with the best you can afford aswell...cheap welders generally aren't that great, if its a mig it'll be the wire feed that lets you down....how about a TIG from powershack £120 apparently....would be perfect for the job.....Oli.

I`d go with minimum of 130 and preferably 150 amp. Like us all it will be down to what you can afford...I mean if you could afford a big un why buy a little un
Alex

I have a SIP 150A and think it will do me fine with a proper bottle of argoshield and I've never had the need to ramp it up high when playing around with thick metal. I think if you are hard pressed for money, like most of us!, then a SIP, or whatever, 130A should see you through. Just get a good gas supply (many different views, mine is that Argoshied from a big bottle works very well) and have a load of fun, I love welding!