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Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all) chevdog Silver Member Reged: 09/18/02 Posts: 191 Loc: Brookshire, Texas MIG Welder Help       11/01/02 10:13 AM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Chillimau Silver Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 194 Loc: Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/01/02 12:34 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Chillimau Silver Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 194 Loc: Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Chillimau]       11/01/02 12:45 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       chevdog Silver Member Reged: 09/18/02 Posts: 191 Loc: Brookshire, Texas Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Chillimau]       11/01/02 06:34 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/03/02 04:47 PM Edit   Reply   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!" Post Extras:       pajoube Member Reged: 09/11/02 Posts: 56 Loc: Minnesota and Montana Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       11/03/02 08:55 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: pajoube]       11/03/02 09:58 PM Edit   Reply   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) Post Extras:       pajoube Member Reged: 09/11/02 Posts: 56 Loc: Minnesota and Montana Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       11/04/02 07:30 AM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Rockyroad New Member Reged: 10/04/02 Posts: 15 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/04/02 10:03 AM Edit   Reply   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. Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: pajoube]       11/04/02 11:18 AM Edit   Reply   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!" Post Extras:       Chillimau Silver Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 194 Loc: Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       11/05/02 06:54 AM Edit   Reply   That would be one nice "rancher/farmer" golf cart!!! Gary Post Extras:       chevdog Silver Member Reged: 09/18/02 Posts: 191 Loc: Brookshire, Texas Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       11/05/02 07:03 AM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       daedong Member Reged: 11/20/02 Posts: 72 Loc: South Australia on the murray river Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/21/02 06:06 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       lblair Silver Member Reged: 10/19/02 Posts: 239 Loc: Shortsville, NY Re: MIG Welder Help [re: daedong]       11/21/02 07:40 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       daedong Member Reged: 11/20/02 Posts: 72 Loc: South Australia on the murray river Re: MIG Welder Help [re: lblair]       11/21/02 08:53 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       chevdog Silver Member Reged: 09/18/02 Posts: 191 Loc: Brookshire, Texas Re: MIG Welder Help [re: daedong]       11/25/02 11:47 AM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       daedong Member Reged: 11/20/02 Posts: 72 Loc: South Australia on the murray river Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/25/02 03:17 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       chevdog Silver Member Reged: 09/18/02 Posts: 191 Loc: Brookshire, Texas Re: MIG Welder Help [re: daedong]       11/25/02 08:32 PM Edit   Reply   I'll check that out - thanks. Nick Post Extras:       Boondox Gold Member Reged: 09/11/02 Posts: 326 Loc: Northern Vermont Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/26/02 08:28 AM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Gary_in_Indiana Gold Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 260 Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Boondox]       11/26/02 10:15 AM Edit   Reply   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! Post Extras:       daedong Member Reged: 11/20/02 Posts: 72 Loc: South Australia on the murray river Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/27/02 05:23 AM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       ScottAR Silver Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 178 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Gary_in_Indiana]       11/27/02 01:26 PM Edit   Reply   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. Post Extras:       chevdog Silver Member Reged: 09/18/02 Posts: 191 Loc: Brookshire, Texas Re: MIG Welder Help [re: daedong]       11/27/02 06:38 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Gary_in_Indiana Gold Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 260 Loc: Fort Wayne, Indiana Re: MIG Welder Help [re: ScottAR]       11/28/02 11:11 PM Edit   Reply   Is Miller the more commercial and Hobart the more residential? Post Extras:       Slydog New Member Reged: 11/21/04 Posts: 11 Loc: North Mississippi/Greers Ferry Ark Re: MIG Welder Help [re: chevdog]       11/21/04 12:10 PM Edit   Reply   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 Post Extras:       Tevi Member Reged: 11/27/04 Posts: 27 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Slydog]       12/05/04 10:27 PM Edit   Reply   Check out the new Miller DVI You can run it on 110 or 220 Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Tevi]       12/09/04 10:46 PM Edit   Reply   Looks like a really nice unit but the discount price is above $1000 so you better be serious about your weldning convenience. I guess I'll struggle along with my two Lincolns, WeldPak 100 on 120VAC and the 240 volt 50 amp input AC DC stick unit which will do pretty big stuff if there is a place to get 240VAC. I'll be getting a plasma cutter before I see another welder. Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       Tevi Member Reged: 11/27/04 Posts: 27 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       01/06/05 05:49 AM Edit   Reply   I've got a plasma.It's one of those thing's you'll wonder how you did with out it.When you get one get a good brand and a 230v model Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Tevi]       01/06/05 08:42 AM Edit   Reply   Tevi, Please drop the other shoe... What are your recommendatons? What did you get and if you had it to do over again would you do the same thing, change size, or change brands? Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       Tevi Member Reged: 11/27/04 Posts: 27 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       01/06/05 05:34 PM Edit   Reply   It's a Thermal Dynamics Cutmaster 50.I've upgraded the tip to a 1Torch and a 50ft lead with a quick disconnect.I definately would have gone bigger but it depends on what you do.If you go with another brand upgrade it with the Thermal's 1Torch Post Extras:       mfaley Gold Member Reged: 03/30/04 Posts: 256 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Tevi]       09/20/05 01:28 PM Edit   Reply   Hi folks, After taking serious verbal abuse from our horse shoer last night I am considering getting a welder. He always seems to find some thing I have cobbled to gether with nuts and bolts, chewing gum or old bailing twine when it should have been welded. So now I am looking at a small welder I can tack hinges back on, weld up fence braces and other small jobs. I dont think I would need it often but I would sure like to be able to simply plug it in and weld when needed. I think mostly it will be all outdoor work. Could I get by with a small unit from Lincoln/Miller from one of the box stores? Any advice is appreciate...... Mark Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: mfaley]       09/22/05 10:31 AM Edit   Reply   I have a Lincoln Weld Pak 100 that is powered by 120VAC. Although I have the accessory solenoid valve and everything for using a shielding gas I never have used it on this welder. I use innershield flux cored wire and it is good for nearly everything I do. I am losing the ability to do good stick welding from lack of practice since the Little Lincoln lunchbox does so good up to 1/4 inch mild steel. It is about 10 years old and they have probably changed model numbers and made inprovements and changes but the equivalent or better that runs on 120VAC is available at the big box stores. Mine came from Home Depot. I have frequently worked it too hard until it shuts down in thermal overload but have never had to fix it or change any parts except the little thingy on the end of the stinger where the wire comes out and I change that very infrequeltly. Oh yeah... the plastic thing on the end that partially covers the tip eventually burned up after several years and I replaced it. I have less than $5 into this thing for repairs in about 10 years of use. I LOVE IT!!!! It will run from a medium sized portable generator so I can go anywhere on my 160 acres and weld stuff like gates and such. This welder plus my automatic darkening helmet are terrific. Miller makes a good unit too but I have only owned Lincoln welders. DO NOT BUY BRAND X I have let some folks who have brand X welders use mine and they all rave at how much better and easier it welds. I took a lot of guff from the good ole boy chorus (AKA Peanut Gallery) because I bought the 120VAC model rather than the 240VAC "adult" model. It is NOT super powerful but I can take it anywhere and find 120VAC. If i have to make multiple passes... so what, I'm not on the clock and I'm not in a high production environment. It does most of what I need as fast as I need it. IF it doesn't then I have to drag out the Lincoln AC/DC buzz box and stick weld it. These things are easy to use and can do a good job. With gas bottle and a change of wire (and change of liner) you can weld aluminum or stainless. Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       mfaley Gold Member Reged: 03/30/04 Posts: 256 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       09/22/05 01:10 PM Edit   Reply   Thanks Pat! That is really helpful. I heard the same thing from my prof welding buddies so I was torn between getting the 240 version, which I would have to use in my garage, or getting the 120. I guess most of what I will do is around the garage but the barn is 500 feet away, the front gate is 500 feet away, the lower arena is 400 feet away. So being able to lug it around seems like a good thing for me. I think I will take your advice since I can move it around easily. And Lincoln seems like a good choice. I guess I know what I am going to ask for when we get to Christmas! One last thing.....any recomendation on a self darkening helmet? Thanks again Pat. Mark Post Extras:       GaryM Veteran Member Reged: 09/12/02 Posts: 1210 Loc: Warrenton, MO Re: MIG Welder Help [re: mfaley]       09/22/05 01:46 PM Edit   Reply   I have a self darkening helmet I bought at Harbor Freight a while back. I think I paid about $90 for it and it works fine. Has a battery that's charged by a photocell. So if I leave it in it's box and don't use it for a while I need to leave it in the sun to be sure the battery's charged up. It has a test button to confirm operation as well as a knob to adjust shade from 9 to 13. Gary ---------------------------------------------- Hey! Aren't you supposed to be working? Post Extras:       mfaley Gold Member Reged: 03/30/04 Posts: 256 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: GaryM]       09/22/05 01:56 PM Edit   Reply   Great! Thanks Gary. I was sort of afraid I would spend more on the helmet than I would the welder. I never thought of looking at Harbor..... Thanks for the good direction. Mark Post Extras:       twstanley Gold Member Reged: 09/27/02 Posts: 260 Loc: NE of Kansas City, Missouri Re: MIG Welder Help [re: mfaley]       09/23/05 10:08 AM Edit   Reply   I got one of the 40 dollar auto darkening helmets off of ebay, it is a no name but it works just fine for my limited use. I also second the vote for the 120 volt mig, my wife got me a Hobart 125 for last Christmas and I have used that thing for all sort of stuff that in the past would have left me scratching my head or without a way to fix. Welded our hay rake ( on a Saturday afternoon with hay on the ground and a broken tongue on the hay rake ), some seat mounting brackets on our Dixon ZTR mower, some alley frames for our cattle handling area, widened our chain harrow from 4 feet wide by 8 feet long to 8 feet wide by 4 feet long ( haha ), welded the stand for the baler so we didn't have to pick it up to hitch it up anymore, man that is nice. All sorts of uses for it around our place. I can put our 5kw generator and the welder in the bucket of the tractor and have an instant portable welding rig as well, lol. Sure, sometimes I wish she had picked the 135 model that is 120 vac but has a bit more power, but I can just use multiple passes if I need, most of what I weld around here is 3/16 or smaller anyhow. Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: mfaley]       09/23/05 05:22 PM Edit   Reply   Mark, For the casual welder (not in a production or HD situation) the 120 does just fine. You will be amazed at the number of opportunities that occur to use the welder once you have it. Many of these opportunities would be a royal PITA if you had to have 240VAC. I have two of the auto darkening helmets and haven't a clue as to the brand of either. Atributes of interest in selecting an auto darkening helmet include: (not in priority order) 1. adjustability of the shade (9-12 is a decent range but more is probably better if it is available), 2. how fast does it darken?, 3. is there an adjustable delay for going clear? 4. does it shut off automatically if left on (saves batteries) 5. Large area so you can see much better and if you wear glasses, especially bifocals, try it on to see if you can see out with your bifocals. 6. comfortable when adjusted tight enough to allow wearing it flipped up without falling off. Wear it at least 5 min to decide. What seems comfortable at first can produce a headache in a few minutes. 7. uses easily found batteries or solar powered. You can buy the auto adjusting unit separate from the helmet and put it into whatever helmet you like if you prefer. I have had years of good service and batteries last multiple years since there is so low power consumption. Don't be shocked if your unit looks like it has "measels." This is a normal thing with this technology. A soon as the unit is switched on it will get uniformly dark and then uniformly clear. You can try these things at most welding supply stores. Sometimes the big box stores have them but I haven't seen any demo setups there. Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       mfaley Gold Member Reged: 03/30/04 Posts: 256 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       09/23/05 05:29 PM Edit   Reply   Thanks Tim and Pat! I think its time for me to start dropping hints about Christmas. I noticed that there is, as Tim mentions, another welder with a bit more power. I am just not sure the extra $130.00 to go from welding 1/4" to 5/16" is worth it. I cant really think of anything I have around that more than 1/4". I looked at the helmets at Northern and they look pretty reasonable to me. Maybe I will take a pass through one of the welding stores and see if they have some for me to try on. Thanks again gents. Mark Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: mfaley]       09/24/05 12:42 PM Edit   Reply   Mark, I forgot to mention one of the drawbacks of many (most? all??) of the auto-darkening shields... Although with the innershield wire there is little or no chipping there always seems to be a little grinding involved, at least when I am doing the work.. The sparks from the grinder trigger the darkening circuit and you can't see what you are grinding. Raising the hood is OK but having it down is a convenient safety shield. The 120VAC model does 1/4 inch mild steel BUT typically requires multiple passes to do it. The little 240VAC unit that does UP TO 5/16 probably requires multiple passes too. I rarely weld stuff over 1/4 inch and I can always fall back on my Lincoln AC-DC stick welder if I have to do something seriously heavy duty. When I am welding heavy wall pipe to build stretch fixtures or corner braces for fences or other tasks that can take a long time with the little MIG, I typically use the MIG to put everything together, a bit beyond just "tacking" and then use the stick to git 'er done. It is a time issue. The little MIG would do the job but would take longer. When neatness counts I favor the MIG. IF it is a light duty job, I definitely favor the MIG. It isn't that you can't turn the buzz box down and run little rods but at my skill level the MIG just makes it so much easier to do a decent job. My skill level is about two notches above didly squat. So far the most excitement I have had while welding was starting a fair sized grass fire with me at ground zero. I partially melted the jacket of the power cord to the MIG befor I noticed an odd smell (not like welding usually smells.) It was kind of exciting when I raised the shield and saw I was standing in a fire. Luckily I got it out before it got away from me. Apparently starting fires and not noticing is a frequent happening for welders. If I had it to do over again and the $130 difference was not an issue, I'd still go 120VAC for convenience. I'm sure the extra power is JUST RIGHT for some users/uses but convenience is important to me. Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Edited by Pat (09/24/05 12:45 PM) Post Extras:       mfaley Gold Member Reged: 03/30/04 Posts: 256 Re: MIG Welder Help [re: Pat]       09/26/05 12:41 PM Edit   Reply   Thanks Pat, The two I am looking at so far are both from HD. One is the Weldpack 100 and the other is the Weldpack 3200. They both seem like I can plug them into a normal wall socket as long as it is at least 20 amps. If I read it correctly, the two units would operate about the same except that the 3200 might weld slightly heavier. Or am I missing something here? I sure don’t mind welding slower if I have to make additional passes. On the other hand, if I can get the 3200 and it will make a difference then I would spend the extra. Or….is this the line where I should then find someone else to do the heavy welding? Sorry for being so ignorant on this...... And thanks for the advice on the helmet. I will just take off the welding helmet and put a face shield on when I grind. And also the heads up about a fire. Slow and safe is a good way for me to go...... Mark Post Extras:       Pat Veteran Member Reged: 09/15/02 Posts: 4889 Loc: SouthCentral Oklahoma Re: MIG Welder Help [re: mfaley]       09/26/05 09:02 PM Edit   Reply   Mark, I'm sorry but I have no info or experience on the 3200. It may be a newer model. Mine is the 100. The upgrade could be worth it, especially if the 3200 included a gas control solenoid so you could use a shielding gas. The 100 will control an accessory solenoid valve so you can use gas. This is important if you intend to ever weld aluminum or stainless. I have managed to successfully weld cast alluminum with flux coated rods but I credit much of the results to DUMB LUCK! Pat "I'm not from your planet, monkey boy!" Post Extras:       Pages: 1 | 2 | (show all)

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