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chevdog
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MIG Welder Help
11/01/02 10:13 AM
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I'm looking for a MIG that I can use on 110v, with at least a 20% duty cycle at 75-100 amps for light duty use. I've got a stick welder and ox-ac setup that I can do heavier stuff and cutting with, but I'd like something for the thinner gauge materials.
Cost is very much an issue and I plan on being able to use it not only inside but also with my portable generator for things that I cannot move into the shop. The generator's rated for 6500w running/7200 peak.
I'm not so sure that I really need gas capabilities with the MIG - I "think" that flux-core or regular steel wire should suffice for most of my welding needs.
Any and all advice is appreciated!
Nick
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Chillimau
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/01/02 12:34 PM
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I got a little Lincoln 110 model (110 volt too) used with a small bottle for $300.00. Has been a good little welder. For outside use I would recommend going with the fluxcore wire. It is also one of the easiest wires to weld with (not that any mig is hard). Outside, the wind tends to blow the shielding gas off the weld area. You can't use plain steel wire without a shielding gas, makes a really pitted out weld (worthless). The fluxcore weld is a little more work to paint because of cleanup on the weld.
With your torch you can push the limits of a little machine by preheating the weld area. I wouldn't try to push it much tho. Pay attention to the type of wire. Some wire can be used for mutiple passes and some can't (or shouldn't be).
Gary
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Chillimau
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Oh yeah, your gen set should run any 110 volt machine. You probably have about 25-30 amps @ 110 on each leg of your generater. I have noticed that the gen set is not as smooth a power source as the electric co. Works fine, but you can tell a difference in the arc. My guess is the constantly varying load of a welding arc keeps the gen set hunting to maintain the voltage. Depending on the type of gen set be sure to try to balance the load on the generator, ie pull 20 amps off both legs of the 110. A 220 welding machine would do this for you.
Gary
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chevdog
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Thanks Gary.
Good info on the wire feed too. I'm heading down to my local welding supply place to see what they have to offer 
Nick
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Pat
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/03/02 04:47 PM
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I use a Lincoln Weld Pak 100 (120 vac) and it has done a great job. I have abused the heck out of it for 3-4 years now I think it has been and it just keeps on welding. I bought all the accessories including regulaltor except the gas bottle but have been so pleased with the results haven't gone the extra mile. One day I hope to try stainless and aluminum which will require an inert gas.
I run mine off a 6000 watt genny just fine and under certain conditions the genny regulation is not so great but satisfactory. I have a Lincoln AC DC stick welder on a wheeled cart but it is still a portable hernia and I ony use it when I really need to turn up the heat. at 1/4 inch or less with mild steel I just use the wire feed unless there is a real good reason to use the stick (special rod or something).
There are a lot of cheaper units on the market (I didn't want to take a chance on a cheapie and have to do it twice) but I don't know what you would have to do to get a better unit that the Lincoln.
Patrick
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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pajoube
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: Pat]
11/03/02 08:55 PM
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Pat:
You mention that you use the Lincoln Pak 100 for 1/4 and less welding. Most mention that you can only do 1/8 or less with this small unit. Do you end up making more than one pass on the 1/4 weld?
PJ
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Pat
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: pajoube]
11/03/02 09:58 PM
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PJ, Not every 1/4 inch welding task is right for the Weld Pak 100 but many are with proper multi-pass techniques as needed(see standard text on welding). It helps to bevel edges and make other accomodations. Don't expect to run a bead across a large 1/4 inch plate at warp factor 3 (StarTrek ref not welding ref) and get 100% penetration.
It is worth it to me to take the time for some grinding prep work and multi-passes and do the deed with this Little Lincoln Lunchbox and not have to deal with the significantly heavier stick welder for which I don't have sufficient genny capacity to use at higher amp settings. This refers to FIELD repairs away from the truck.
Although I have a 100 ft extension cord of sufficient ampacity to run my 250 volt 50 amp (input) stick machine, the genny can't deliver enough more juice to make the stick do much better than the lunchbox so I just tote the lil box into the difficult (challenging terrain) locations and run a long (but heavy duty) 120 vac ext cord to it. I can usually get within my ext cord of where I want to go with the genny. I guess I could put larger tires under the genny but it still isn't easy going up and down steep dams and such.
On occasion this has failed me, like when welding a heavy wall 6 inch diameter steel drain pipe with water flowing in it. Holy pin hole city, Bat Man! Luckily I didn't need to get a pressure tight repair.
The ball is a little cloudy yet but I think I can see a combination engine driven welder and emergency generator in my future. I have a jib crane with electric chain hoist so loading and unloading into the truck isn't a big deal should I need it afield.
By the way, did I mention how convenient the Lincoln WeldPak 100 is when you have to pack it in to a remote location?
Patrick
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
Edited by Pat (11/03/02 10:00 PM)
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pajoube
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: Pat]
11/04/02 07:30 AM
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Thanks Pat:
I would rather go with the 135-type mig welder if possible but understand the merits of the 175.
Seems so much easier to be able to hook up to a 120 circuit, which is readily available. Making multiple passes is no problem with 1/4 steel plate as most of my work will be in one inch square tubing.
PJ
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Rockyroad
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/04/02 10:03 AM
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All good replies, so I won't embelish on the content much.
Only advice I have is to not make the mistake I made: Buy a name brand rig, not a mongrel brand from the discount stores. I bought a mongrel and they are out of business and I really cannot get nozzles or internal parts for it any more. It still works ok, but it is basic junk. Has a duty cycle of about one minute at max amperage. I am looking at the Lincoln 135 and 175 as next year's new toy.
One last thing - the new Optrel helmets are really great. I just picked one up on sale at about $300, but worth every penny. I can just dial in the darkness setting from 5 to 13. But, most important, I can actually see exactly where I am starting my arc! It is improved my amateur welding 200%. I couldn't see anything before, and when I flipped down my helmet I didn't know where my right hand was in relation to the work piece. It changes shade from clear to dark in about 1/10,000 of a second. I have a Lincoln AC/DC stick machine that I am very pleased with, so I intend to stick with Lincoln for my future new MIG machine.
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Pat
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: pajoube]
11/04/02 11:18 AM
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PJ, Few folks complain that their tractor is too powerful and gets the work done too fast. Similarly, all the power you NEED is good when welding. If I had my druthers, my wire feed would be more powerful but in the words of Chief Engineer Scott, "I cannow change the laws of physics!" More power in a commercially available unit implies 240 volt input which is not convenient for me as I use the Linclon Lunchbox as a hand carried portable tool where 240 is a nuisance or not available.
Maybe what we need is a riding lawnmower/welder conversion. The lawnmower engine coud drive the welder generator and you wouldn't have to lug any heavy stuff or drag out and put away realy heavy extension cords.
Maybe an engine driven welder could provide the electricity to run an electrically powered mower frame/body (forget the blades) or an electric golf cart. A self propelled hybrid electric/internal combustion 4 wheeler/welder! Should be powerful enough to carry your oxy-acetylene stuff, grinders, vise, sazall, etc. as well as a good 240 volt MIG and a solid state cooler/warmer for drinks/food. A surrey top with removable side and back covers and a wind shield would be nice. And W I D E tires. For emergency power production you just park it near the tie in connection point and plug it in.
Patrick
"I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!"
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Chillimau
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: Pat]
11/05/02 06:54 AM
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That would be one nice "rancher/farmer" golf cart!!!
Gary
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chevdog
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: Pat]
11/05/02 07:03 AM
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Thanks for the additional info. Pat, you have noted something that is of importance to me - having a mig that can be used with a generator if needed. Most of the stuff around I think is in the 1/8" to 1/4" thickness, and I will have the stick welder for any heavier repairs that would be done in the shop. Most of the time the mig would also be in the shop, but I like having the capability of taking the welder out of the shop if needed. Multiple passes on heavier steel aren't really a problem.
That Lincoln lunchbox I think would fit the bill as a reasonably priced good quality 110/120v unit. I guess I would also compare Miller and Hobart units too, but I'm inclined to look at the best price on a Lincoln. Maybe times have changed, but the Lincoln stick welder that I've got is about a hundred years old and other than adding some new welding leads years ago has handled everything I've thrown at it. I hope they are still building them the same way!
Nick
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daedong
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/21/02 06:06 PM
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Hi Chevdog
I can't really make any comment because our power supply is very different but i would recommend you to go to the biggest mig you can afford, because after useing it, you will never want to weld with a stick again or should i say noah's ark 
 made in Korea Vin
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lblair
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: daedong]
11/21/02 07:40 PM
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daedong,
It neat to see someone from so far away on the site. Is there a talk forum called downunderbynet.com you can invite us to? Welcome to the site here. Ya got any pics of your area to share in the photo area here?
Thanks for comming, Larry 
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daedong
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: lblair]
11/21/02 08:53 PM
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Hi lbliar
I will post some photos on CBN soon, I also intend to put some pages on my website about my district and Australia in general. http://stonevahestate.tripod.com
made in Korea Vin
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chevdog
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: daedong]
11/25/02 11:47 AM
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I think you're right - I've decided to hold off a bit and get something a little better than a homeowner grade, but less than needed to weld a bridge 
Very nice website you've got - your place looks beautiful.
Nick
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daedong
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/25/02 03:17 PM
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Chevdog
I have a SIP MIG 175 amp,which i have had for 5years. I don't know if you can get SIP brand stuff their. It's made in italy sold here cheap compared to other brands, for occasional use i think their products to be good value.
made in Korea Vin
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chevdog
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: daedong]
11/25/02 08:32 PM
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I'll check that out - thanks.
Nick
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Boondox
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/26/02 08:28 AM
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Chevdog -- After trying a few small home/hobby units (Lincoln 135T and 135 Plus, and the Millermatic 135), I settled on the Miller. It was essentially the same as the 135 Plus, but included a very well made cart for the same price. Besides, I like blue!
I had already purchased but not yet used a Lincoln 3200HD from Home Depot, which was nearly a clone of the 135T in that the duty cycles were the same and both were stepped units. My local welding shop let me try the T on a variety of metals, and the ability to tweak the power to find the sweet spot for each application was a selling point for continuous voltage adjustment.
This was my first stab at MIG, and I was very pleasantly surprised at how little spatter there was! I have some metal deck plate that I'll mount to the top of a metal barrel to make a small welding platform. Now if I can just find the barrel!
When I get beyond the practice stage I'll post some pics of my learning curve. Pete
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Gary_in_Indiana
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: Boondox]
11/26/02 10:15 AM
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I've been using a Miller welder in my ARC welding class and like it real well. The unit I'll be using as mine is a Hobart 175 (also with a neat little cart). I got it a while ago but, since I don't know how to use it, have left it in the box.
Anyone else have one of these or have any experience with them? I'm still a ways away from needing mine as I'm just finishing up my ARC welding class but was curious, anyhow. Thanks! 
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daedong
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/27/02 05:23 AM
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chevdog
found these but they don't appear popular in the USA
www.sip-group.com
http://www.rainbow-electronics.com/cover.htm
made in Korea Vin
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ScottAR
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Miller and Hobart are parts of the same company so I suspect either will do fine. At my high school they had several Miller MIGs running nearly all the time. The FFA chapter made quite a bit of money building hay feeders, rice levee spillways, gates, and other things.
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chevdog
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: daedong]
11/27/02 06:38 PM
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I agree about the SIP welders - the availability is not that great, nor are repair parts. TP Tools carries them as their house brand of welder.
I think that in the long run, the larger Lincoln, Hobart, or Miller will fit the bill.
Thanks to all for your help and experience.
Nick
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Gary_in_Indiana
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: ScottAR]
11/28/02 11:11 PM
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Is Miller the more commercial and Hobart the more residential?
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Slydog
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Re: MIG Welder Help
[re: chevdog]
11/21/04 12:10 PM
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Chevdog,
I just purchased a Lincoln Pro Mig 135, 110v at Lowes here in Southaven about two weeks ago. It works with gas or flux core. I was posting to let anyone know that might be considering buying a 110v mig, that Lowes is running a rebate for the next month. I didn't realize it till the register spit the coupon out when I was checking out. The welder listed on a sticker for $457, but I happened to find a placard with a price card lying on the shelf above the welder that showed it for $437. When I got up to the register, I asked the girl about the cheaper price and she rang it up at that. Then it spit out the rebate coupon for a free welding cart, which Lowes also sells at $77. I didn't think that was a bad deal at all. So if you are in the market for a 110 unit, you might want to check with your local Lowes to make sure they are running the same rebate as this one wasn't advertised anywhere.
Ken
Kenny
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