Noob Questions

[HamptonT]

I'm in the process of equipping my garage shop with tools for a kart project for my son and I. We have a wood shop in the basement and this will be our first metal type shop. So some of my questions may be noob type.
I have a Hobart mig and plan on getting a plasma cutter.
- Would you recommend getting a shielding gas or is the flux core wire good to work with?

I have not purchased a pipe/tube bender yet.
- What would others out there recommend? So far I'm looking at a Northern Tool hydraulic pipe bender and/or a Pro-Tools 105.
- What is the most widely used round pipe/tube size and wall thickness?

I'm sure I'll have more questions as I go. Thanks

 

[Texan]

Shielding gas is better and easier weld with than flux core.

 

[MTNSleder]

Shielding Gas, makes a lot nicer looking welds if your a beginner to welding.
You should get a cut off saw too.

 

[HamptonT]

Got shielding gas today. Thanks
What kind of cut off saw? Like a metal cutting chop saw or a metal cutting band saw?

 

[MTNSleder]

Metal cutting chop saw.

 

[mckutzy]

Dont use that chop saw indoors..
It can be dangerous fire hazard(especially in a wood shop) and also the dust produced from cutting... Outside or at least in well ventilated area...

 

[pRoFiT]

Angle grinder is needed. Good for cutting and grinding. Drill press. Maybe a hole bit and holder. They make some hole cutting mounts to make cutting pipe just right for welding together.

 

[Flyinhillbilly]

I have a Woodward fab mandrel bender and I love it. It's not as cheap as some of the others, but it will do anything you want to do with it.

 

[Ebrownie]

I have an evolution brand metal chop saw, and it's awesome. The clamp pivots to cut an angle of up to 45 degrees, and can cut through any steel quite easily.

 

[Foreveranoob]

Chop saws are really handy. I don't own one but my Papaw has one I can use. Normally I use an angle grinder but the chop saw is easy. If you don't have one already, a big table you can stand at to work on the kart would be handy. I don't but I use 4 Jack stands and a rolly shop chair which isn't to bad.