Alright, since we have a projects section now I'll just make this my questions thread.

So here it is, 73 camaro Z/28 with some serious needs.

I'll be updating the project thread with progress and just keep this one for when I need help, Here's what I'm working with.




Hey here's an improvement from the 79 this one's got tunes!

 

So first questions, I need a welder. I don't want an expensive one right now so I'm considering this one MIG / Flux Wire Welder with Wheels - 120 Amp would it work alright with the body panels I'll be welding?

What companys are good for body panels? I've been on year one, ricks camaro, clssic industries etc. idk which ones are most noteworthy for fitting and being right though?

does a full quarter panel have the door jamb? Camaro Quarter Panel, Full, Right, 1970-1973 - Rick's Camaro Parts I can't really tell from the pick so I'll have to call if I go with that one.

 

Looks like you're gonna have a busy weekend!
Also looks like some mice were busy as well, working on your seats.
That welder will work great for working on body panels. Mine is only a 90 amp, and I can still weld at least 1/8" thick steel. You can use it as is with flux core wire, but using gas will give you more splatter-free welds, and better flow control with vertical/overhead welds.

 

That welder will not only work alright, but flux core is more forgiving if you don't get it quite as clean. My old HF flux core welder didn't do heavy stuff really well, but it worked great on 3/16" or lighter, and the flux core wire welded right through the dirt and crud.
I'd never go back from my Miller 140, but I was pleased with the 90 amp HF welder.
1/4 panels don't come with the new door jam, but they do wrap inside enough to hide the welds inside the jam.
I like National Parts Depot for quality fit, but when it comes to floor panels they're all pretty equal. You just lay them on the floor and trim either the patch panel, the floor, or a little of both, until they fit. Some guys put in the whole patch panel, but I always put in just enough to get to good solid metal.
Looks like 1st order of business is to do a major cleanup so you can see what you've got.

 

Yeah, heavy rain tonight so I highly doubt I'll be workin tomorrow which means I have all day to clean up the camaro if I can push it in the garage in the mud.
I'm not sure if I'll need a door jamb or not yet I might be able to reshape it but tomorrow I'll crack open the door (can't open it much cause the door and fender hit) to try and show you guys what I've got to work with.

But you guys think I'd be just as well off with this one? Flux Wire Welder - 90 Amp & Other Welders - Harbor Freight Tools
I could definitely use the $80 dollar savings for more parts.

 

Hey another 73 sweet! Can't wait to see the progress...

But hey I actually have bought that welder from Harbor Freight. Do NOT buy it! Unless you want to scab your metal together with lots of splatter and holes. You can't control the arc at all except High or low. In my opinion you are wasting your money and not saving anything. The gas welder they have would pry work much better. I just bought a Lincoln and I didn't buy the bottle with it so I used flux wire to just weld some exhaust and it welded like crap. I finally got the bottle and it's amazing how much better it is. flux should never be used on anything you want to look good period. If it wasn't such a pain to change my welder from one to the other I would show you a comparison. But trust me it's not worth it go with gas mig for sure.

 

Wow, I'd buy a Shop Vac. LOL. That door jamb is gonna make you a man James. That this is hit. Other than that I see tons of potential. Good luck.

As for welders I picked up a Lincoln 180 at tax time but haven't struck an arc yet. I would say buy the biggest you can afford. Eventually you'll want to weld bigger better things, then you'll need a bigger welder.

 

I welded the sunroof hole closed on my '71 using that same little HF 90a. welder. It worked just fine, and after grinding the welds down they had good penetration and looked fine. I do agree that when it comes to exposed welds they look like crap, but if it's getting covered up with filler and paint it will do a fine job if you're careful.
The Miller 140 I have now with gas is light years ahead of it, but it was also 6 times as much with a full tank and a cart.

 

lol I already got a shop vac damon, it actually wasn't that bad in the back till I took out the seats and those 80's seat covers disintegrated coming off back there.
I think I'll just get the 90 amp. I need to save the money and for a first learning welder I think it'll do fine, last welder we had was a 160 or something around that size miller mig and it was sweet but that got sold.

No work today cause of rain, great thing about mowing lawns. So I'm gonna attemp to push, shove, drag, and pull the camaro in the garage.

 

I can get some pretty decent welds with my 90 amp flux core mig. Variables on mine are a 1-2 switch, a min-max switch, a wire feed speed dial, and different wire thicknesses you can use. Any of those will change your weld quality, depending on what kind of material you're welding.