Pardon if this doesn't fit here, but most of the welding seems to take place here.

I'm considering getting a cheap welder for 150 bucks or less, partly because I want to swap out my rear end for an explorer's 8.8, 4.10 rear with disk brakes.

So, with that, what else is a welder good for? Like, what other jobs would be doable with a welder? If that makes any sense. Trying to justify 150 bucks.

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Well really, about the only thing a welder is good for, is joining two pieces of metal.

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'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!

You can use a welding machine to build all kinds of stuff. I've built bumpers, a flatbed, special tools for work, and all kinds of other stuff over the years. I got my first machine when I was in high school. I would build and sell hog traps using it. Made some pretty good money that way.

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2003 Ranger FX4 level II. 3" BL, 33x12.50 GT Radial Mud Claws, Custom front and rear bumpers with winch hookups, custom flatbed, with hi-lift, and full size spare mount, 12,000 lb winch mounted under bed, Electric fan, and of course a flowmaster.

What you can do with having a welder & knowing how to use it is limited only by your imagination.

AKA - Limitless potential.

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Curent 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 owner - Build Thread for her: Logan's 2003 Mach 1

Former 2003 Ford Ranger owner - Build Thread for her: Project Budget Buster

X2 I did welding in hs and when the military fell through I went to night school and became certified. There's a TON of things you can do and many different opportunities out there. And the more you weld and practice the better you get. Down the road when I get enough money saved up and get a bigger machine I'm going to start my own side business. Any questions you have feel free to ask!

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2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Off Road
maxed out torsion keys, Add a Leaf, 3" higher then stock, LT265/75R16 BF Goodrich all terrain KO2s on 16x8 Black Rock 997 Type 8 Wheels, 15% front windows, 5% back windows. Cobra 40 Channel CB and a 3' Firestik II, 3157 Pilot LED backup light bulbs and 2 KC Dayligher 100 Watt lights

Sounds like it's worth the hundred bucks. Gotta have my own place with the space for this kind of stuff, but that's definately on my list. Thanks for convincing me.

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Welding is always a very useful thing to know. I'm totally out of practice now, it's likely been 7 or 8 years since I've burned any rod. I came close to buying a Miller that could do stick, MIG, and TIG. But some reason didn't. I've still got my Lincoln IdealArc 250, still not wired in. But it's there, and with some practice, I could likely get decent again
You'll find many things to stick together, and so will your neighbours.

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'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!

Yeah, neighbors have a funny habit of asking for help, don't they? There is one I'd be willing to weld for, but I doubt he'd have a need for anything like that.

I suppose now would be a good time to learn a bit about it. For automotive use, what would be a couple important things to look for in a welder? Never bought one, and a completely foreign concept to me.

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Personally, I'd want at least 125 amp, or more, more means it would be more versatile in that thicker stock could be welded in fewer passes. Duty cycle is something else, the higher, the better. That's so you can continue welding longer, without overheating the machine.
A MIG machine is one that most people prefer, very easy to glue two pieces together. Easier than stick.
I'd suggest learning stick first, then MIG. At least that used to be the traditional thing to do. Once you master stick, the rest is pretty easy.
Check out your local Community college, most of them offer welding classes, and are well worth the money. Maybe do that before you spend the money on a welder that you may soon out grow.

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'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!

There is also a ton of non-automotive uses for a welder. I have built several gates, and am currently working on some firewood holders for use in the house. The great thing is you can custom build for the space/size you need and not have to use just what is available.

The other cool factor is when people in awe say "You weld?" you can say "Of course".

Ya, there seems to be some sort of "aura" or something about it. LOL

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'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!

You can't weld meatloaf bitch.

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Lifted and junk

Double Lifted Rangers

I've known, not in the Biblical sense, some damn good women welders.

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'04 Edge, Scab/flareside, 2wd, 3.0, 5 speed, 4:10 open. Billet grille, Raceline Raptor black wheels, 265/75/16 DuraTracs. Tbar crank, AAL. Fox shocks, Thrush welded SI/DO swept back side exit. Morimoto projectors, '06 tails and power mirrors. LEDs all the way around. Blacked out fender badge. Access Limited rollup tonneau. 5% tint on back three windows. Airbox mod, FWIW. And a Border Collie that likes it too!!

Haha I love his videos. The freight liner one is awesome.

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2003 Ranger FX4 level II. 3" BL, 33x12.50 GT Radial Mud Claws, Custom front and rear bumpers with winch hookups, custom flatbed, with hi-lift, and full size spare mount, 12,000 lb winch mounted under bed, Electric fan, and of course a flowmaster.

Screw that $150 dollar one...get a Miller bobcat 250 with EFI....go big or go home baby.

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2006 Ford Ranger FX4 Off Road
maxed out torsion keys, Add a Leaf, 3" higher then stock, LT265/75R16 BF Goodrich all terrain KO2s on 16x8 Black Rock 997 Type 8 Wheels, 15% front windows, 5% back windows. Cobra 40 Channel CB and a 3' Firestik II, 3157 Pilot LED backup light bulbs and 2 KC Dayligher 100 Watt lights