Regarding the structural integrity of the welds I plan on doing, I don't think it matters. The folks building the hull are going to put in all of the structural stuff-engine mounts etc. I'm essentially just building some livewells and stuff. If a weld breaks, I'll pat myself on the back for trying a...

Maybe we can try it this way.

Just list out the specs on what I would need in a welder and I'll pick out a few and post them up on here.

So how would I go about hooking up (electrically) a 240V machine in my house?

I looked at miller welders but they are pretty pricey. Thats about 25% of the cost of the boat. If I do well and really like it, later on I may buy something nice like a miller, but for now I want to keep it simple.

Can I use a mig with 120v to weld this stuff? I would like to just plug it into the wall at my house and go to town. Also, will a DC welder do ok?

What I'm saying in regards to low price: I can choose a cheap walmart tool chest, a nice craftsman chest, or a snap on chest. I'm the guy with the craftsman. Good quality, far better than the Walmart chest that will have mangled to a pile of scrap in my garage by the end of the year, but thousands l...

Thanks for the replies. Regarding the $100 job, it isn't the time it took that blew me away, but the fact that it was a 3" weld. When I lived up north, I knew a guy who would weld you anything short of a rolling chassis for $10. He did a lot of small aluminum jobs for me. sbaker65, what company...

I know you're already rolling your eyes, but yes, I'm completely new to welding. This is my introduction, but I wanted to post it here, in the topic area I'm here for. I am a very hands on worker and I'm good with just about anything I put my mind to. I enjoy engine work, fiberglass, and woodwork. I...