Best welder on a budget...

65&66Fury

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In getting quotes for paint and body I had some outrageous quotes for welding in new quarters on my wagon. I have welded in the past, but for sure am no expert. I was wondering what you guys thought would be a good welder for me to ge the sheet metal work done my 65.
 
I have a Miller 140 and would highly recommend it. Steer away from flux core units, you will regret it. A machine with infinite settings is a big plus and some great deals can be had on sites like Craigslist. You do get what you pay for, so don't cheap out too much. Miller, Hobart & Lincoln seem to get consistantly good reviews on these forums.
 
miller is a great welder. as far as what the industry norm is for replace a quarter is about 18 hours. thats trimming and drilling out the old quarter. hammer and dolly any distorted areas removing any existing components obstructing the panel replacement. prefitting and trimming of new quarterglass and interior removeal and grinding and dressing welded areas to primerand thats at 48-55 dollars per labor hour plus an additional 33% for materials
 
miller is a great welder. as far as what the industry norm is for replace a quarter is about 18 hours. thats trimming and drilling out the old quarter. hammer and dolly any distorted areas removing any existing components obstructing the panel replacement. prefitting and trimming of new quarterglass and interior removeal and grinding and dressing welded areas to primerand thats at 48-55 dollars per labor hour plus an additional 33% for materials

So I found a pair of quarters on Ebay for 85 bucks each. Never bought quarters before, is that a good price? Also it's on my wagon and really only the bottom 3 inches are rusted out and the lip of the wheel well needs done. Should I just patch it? or does that warrant replacement?
 
$85 for a quarter panel of anything is a good deal. Wagon panels are doubly rare, so if they are in good condition go for it. I had to get a whole car ($800 plus shipping) to get quarter for my 66 t&c.
BTW, for the body experts on the site, what do you think about cutting a quarter at the bodyside molding instead of the lead joint? On 65/66 Chryslers there is a peak molding that could hide a weld seam possibly. It avoids removing glass, leadwork in a highly visible area, etc. Anyone have any experience on this?
Thanks,
Mark
 
so they've never been on a car. they are full unmolested quarter panels with the factory stamping on it

That is correct sir... apparently the guy that is selling them used to have a repair shop and is liquidating his inventory...
 
That is correct sir... apparently the guy that is selling them used to have a repair shop and is liquidating his inventory...

then i say put the full quarter on. and don't mess with sectioning in a patch. you have virgin rust free sheet metal. get rid of the diseased panel. thats the best repair
 
then i say put the full quarter on. and don't mess with sectioning in a patch. you have virgin rust free sheet metal. get rid of the diseased panel. thats the best repair

Thats what i figure i'm gonna do. Gotta go buy the quarters now.
 
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The machine is secondary always. The primary thing is make sure the weldor; you, or elsewise is an expert welder! I good welder can make great welds with poor machinery. A poor weldor can easily make poor welds with high-quality welding equipment!
 
The machine is secondary always. The primary thing is make sure the weldor; you, or elsewise is an expert welder! I good welder can make great welds with poor machinery. A poor weldor can easily make poor welds with high-quality welding equipment!

donny your alive!!!!!!!!!!
 
Ok got the quarter in route... found a welder to do the job (comes recommended by friends). He said he can show me pictures of his work and references. So we will see how this goes. If he can get the cars straight, I can paint them.

By the way, he said approximately $250 US a quarter on the wagon, and $200 to fix the rust on the 4 door. He has a travel welding business, so pictures of his truck... damn nice Dodge 3500 (so he can't be all bad!)

What do you guys think of the prices he quoted?
 
I thought u were just bolting the new quarters on without welding? Prices seem high if ur just bolting new ones on. Rust fix $200 = cheap as hell IMO
 
I thought u were just bolting the new quarters on without welding? Prices seem high if ur just bolting new ones on. Rust fix $200 = cheap as hell IMO


No gonna weld them in on the wagon...
 
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