[Terry, NJ]

So here I am, at 71 YO, learning a new trade. It's body work, welding patch panels, primers, paint preparation. and wood work. I used to judge car by their bodies, because bodywork, any deeper than slopping on Bondo was beyond me. And I never welded anything as thin as 19 ga. My previous welding experience was all with stick. In 1974, I bought a new Linde welding machine (220 buzz box). I once got some 1/16 welding rodsp and tried to weld body metal with predictable results (zilch). So I gave up, I wasn't about to buy a new MIG. I had used them on the job and knew about them, but I knew they were expensive. I had a nonworking wife and two new daughters and I couldn't justify it.
However, In 2011, I bought a used Century MIG machine and after replacing a couple of parts, found it to be just what I needed. From there, It's been straight up. I've learned to weld in patch panels, grind it as needed, smooth on "Liquid Lead', finish with plastic, sand
it, prime it with Black primer for visuals, then prime it with epoxy and then wait for good weather to paint. Paint, then color sand it with 600 grit, then 1200.Polish with compound and then pat yourself on the back. That 5 grand (plus) they charge for a paint job is worth every penny!
Terry