welding questions

[can whlvr 993]

i thought i would ask the pros here about mig welding,i have seen it briefly but i dont really know any thing about it,i want to buy one,its for the horses,i want to be able to weld thin,like engine shrouds,decks body panels,i have a lincon 225 arc that i can weld heavier stuff,so i dont want to spend alot because im not a welder,but i do a fair bit of fabbing things,fixing my trailers for buisness,skidsteer implements,should i get one that can do every thing and throw away the stick ?,or get a small one just for light materail,i saw a company not too far from here that sells combination units,plasma cutter,which i have used,VERY nice,and its a mig welder,for about 650.00 i can get one but i know that a combo lincon is a lot more,its prbally chinese,i dont usually buy chinese stuff,any thoughts and knowledge on this would be great

[massey 118]

I use Miller myself, but I would suggest either Lincoln or Miller as in 5-10-15+ years from now you will be able to get parts for them.

[dryrun 0]

CANWHLVR, for 3/16' and less, I use my MILLER 125. I think it has been replaced by another number now, but it will weld thin sheet like a dream, and have welded 1/4"with proper vees on both peices. It has the gas kit and if I remember I paid a little over 500.00 for it. You can buy welders at the box stores, but like Massey said, you get what you pay for.

My opinion, George

[Kelly 1,030]

What ever you get make sure you get the gas kit with it, it will make welding much better, I have a $350 hobart 135, made by Miller sold at TSC and use the crap out of it, for about 6 years now no major problems, I've ran 30 or so 10lb spools of wire throught it, not sure how many miles that is, but I'm happy with it, I didn't have the $$ to buy a better one at the time, now I think I was just as good off.

[1961551 2]

hi, like kelly said go with gas. flux core is nasty. as far as a welder... it depends on your use.

but dont buy a shoe that doesnt fit. if your needs are only 1/4 inch material, the miller 135 is great for that. think about the future. will you need any thing more? thicker material? the miller 212 (230v) is an excellent all around welder if you need more heat. if not, i would go with the 135. remember though, the gas migs need no air stiring. so pretty much an inside job. wind blows away the sheilding gas. it doesnt take much. jimmy

[Horse'n Around 22]

I have 125 Lincoln with the gas kit . Depending on the conditions, I MIG weld rather than use the flux core wire. The flux core does have its place if your welding in windy conditions because wind blows away the shielding gas resulting in really nasty porous welds when MIG welding, in windy conditions I still use the flux core wire. All other times I go with MIG. BTW I really love my 125 Lincoln. It came as a wire feed but like Kelly mentioned, you just buy the gas (MIG) kit and your all set, nice clean and pretty welds. I still need to buy a Lincoln stick welder but that will be after we buy a house and I get my man cave

John

[sorekiwi 761]

Since you already have the Linciln 225, I would go for a little 110V Mig for the little stuff and keep the arc welder for the big stuff.

I have had a Lincoln SP100T for about 5 years now, and I love it. I've only had flux core wire in it once, it worked well but I didnt like the messy welds. The welds with the Argon/Co2 mix are so much nicer.

As for the combo units, I dont know much about them. I have used a plasma cutter once, and it was awesome. I'd love to have one, but I dont know much about them.

[can whlvr 993]

thanks guys,i went to tsc and they also carry the hobarts up here,i think that i will go small because most of my large or thick welding jobs are outside and im happy with my 35 year old free to me lincoln for the heavy stuff,so should i just get a 110 volt mig and gas setup?please tell me what the gas is and do most tsc stores carry it?and can u fill large pock marks with a welder like this,my 225 just blows holes and sometimes i put a bolt in the hole and weld this but thats messy and not very pretty,as far as the combo units they are everlast?probally uot of my price range and the cheaper ones were tig,plasma,arc,the mig combo stsrted at 750,they have a full 3 year waranty,but i do like the hobart price and tsc is the closest store to me and they are good for getting me parts,even when i didnt purchase the item there,thanks again and when i get it i will probally have more questions.

[sorekiwi 761]

For gas I use an Argon/Co2 mix (I think 80%/20%?) and I have used pure CO2 as well. I almost bought my gas bottle from TSC - they are a little more expensive than a welding supply place, but the advantage is that when you run out of gas on Sunday afternoon you can run to TSC and get another bottle. In the end I bought my bottle from the local welding shop. You can rent bottles too, but I didnt want another monthly bill.

I hear good things about the Hobarts, but I've never used one.

As far as the type of welding the MIG is good at, I think you will find it a lot easier than the stick welder on the thin stuff. Also using the gas there is no slag on top of the weld, so what you see through your helmet is what you get when you've finished. There are some pictures of some of my repairs in this thread that might show you some typical uses: http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?...8138&hl=special.

While you are writing checks, one thing that you definately should consider is an auto-darkening helmet. They're awesome, and I couldnt live without mine.

[dryrun 0]

KIWI speaks true, I simply could not live without my auto hood. If you are welding on thin sheet, and have to stitch weld, or if you have to hold something with free hand, they cannot be beat.

MY opinion, George.

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Ditto what Mike said about the helmet. Definitely get the nicest one you can afford. Seeing what you're doing makes all the difference in the finished product. I do like my auto darkening helmet, but it did take some time to get used to though.

[wh79d160 52]

, I bought this from TSC about a year ago. It works great for me. I shopped around for welders before I decided which one I wanted. I went to Kirks welding supply. They sell Miller. The guy there said Hobarts and Miller are exactly the same.Hobart has a plastic spool holder & the Miller has an alum. one. Thats it. I told him the model I was looking @ & he said the miller one would be about $110.00 more. He said he has the same Hobart one @ his house & can weld 3/8 w/it but it just takes a little longer. I think it's rated @ 1/4 " He said that was for liability reasons. Mine came w/the bonus auto darkening helmet. I got the cart from Harbour freight & the bottle from TSC also.

[theoldwizard1 2]

Slightly off topic.

Can someone with experience compare and contrast MIG versus TIG. Not only the difference in the technology and equipment, but which is best for whic type of work.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

Can someone with experience compare and contrast MIG versus TIG. Not only the difference in the technology and equipment, but which is best for whic type of work.

This will save someone a LOT of typing:

http://www.ehow.com/about_6012790_mig-vs_-tig-welders.html

[theoldwizard1 2]

TT - Okay that was the basics.

Someone here must have used both "professionally".

From what I have heard (I have no experience), MIG is easy to learn and relatively cheap, but can produce good "looking" weld that do not have good penetration (strength).

TIG is more expensive (not sure why) and more difficult to learn (must control tungsten electrode with one hand and filler rod with the other). TIG is more "versatile", capable of welding many different alloys.

[sorekiwi 761]

I am not an expert by any means, but I'll take a stab at it.

TIG welding technique is very much like oxy/acetylene welding exept that the "flame" is created electrically instead of by burning gases. The argon (normally pure argon) is used only for shielding the weld. The advantage of TIG over O/A welding is that the strength of the arc is also controlled by a foot pedal, so you can infinitely vary the heat of the weld with your foot, while at the same time controlling the puddle with the torch, and feeding in filler rod with your other hand.

This gives very good control over the size depth and location of the puddle.

MIG is easy to learn and relatively cheap, but can produce good "looking" weld that do not have good penetration (strength).

Its possible to get a TIG weld that is short on penetration as well, and it is also possible to get a MIG weld with good penetration. It's all technique and preparation of the joint before welding..

TIG machines are a lot more sphisticated in the controls which is why they are so expensive. and there are a lot more settings on the machines that make it a little touchier to set up.

I dont do much TIG welding anymore, I'm sure one of the other guys will have some more insight on this.

[TT-(Moderator) 1,145]

@Don:

Here's a good topic about some welding machines:

http://www.wheelhorseforum.com/index.php?showtopic=16916

[JUSS10 250]

I'm another for getting a hobart. i have the 165 (i think) its a small 220 model and LOVE it. great welder. never had a problem with it and as Kelly stated its made by miller, it even has a miller gun. got it off craigslist for $450. we spent the extra to get the larger tank i think its a "B" size. more upfront cost but cheaper to fill (per volume) than the smaller tanks. Then i would run over to harbor freight and get their welder cart. its $40 on sale or with a coupon and works great. they also sell auto tint helmets for $40 which is a fraction of the cost anywhere else. and so far, i haven't had a problem with the helmet. here is a picture of my setup

[can whlvr 993]

hey thanks for the input guys and tt that thread was helpful,i went into a princess auto store today to look around and they had a century 100 mig,can add gas,of coarse it came flux but i will get the reg and auto helmut when funds come my way,i bought the century(which is a division of lincoln and parts come through lincoln,)today for 150.00 new,they were on sale and the guy gave me 50 bucks because the box was opened,i took it work and started to play around,no helmet,only a piece of #9 held in one hand,this welder is AWSOME,i fixed things that i couldnt do with the 225,its really alot easier than the stick,ive put dozens of pounds of rods through this thing and maybe that helps with the mig?it says u can weld aluminum,that will be handy,i cant wait to try it with gas, its easy all ready but i trust what u guys say.i have not priced the bottle yet but the regulator is 70 bucks not too bad,but for now i will use the flux core,should i get the anti spatter cream,is it worth it?

[dryrun 0]

I would recomend; Anti spatter

4 or 5 contact tips

1 extra gas nozzle

1 mig tool[pliers]

25' #12 contractor grade extension cord.

Always remember to try to plug welder in on a circuit with no other load on it, as near to breaker box as you can. Makes a big difference when welding near top end of capacity.

My opinion, George

[Operator 7]

Keep in mind too, "Duty cycle" How long can you continusly weld, especially if your on heavy stuff.

Randy

[Kelly 1,030]

Speaking of ext. cords they are a no no, for the most part, if you have to use one get as short and as big as you can, I think mine is 10 gauge, and only 15' long, a buddy tried using a 100' cord, only needed to go 10' but it's what he had, then his welder would not work for crap, he called me it took a hour on the phone, tring to figure it out, it was the long 14 gauge cord, as for a helmet I bought two at TSC, about $100 each, one is at work, the other here at home, buy the biggest veiwing area you can afford, you can't weld if you can't see.

[can whlvr 993]

thanks for the info,im aware of the cord lenght,i am going to wire a heavy duty 120volt,20amp and no cord,when i can

[Forest Road 594]

Best of luck! Get the max out of it make sure that ground clamp is on TIGHT. Big difference in my lil Hobart 125 since I upgraded the ground clamp.

[can whlvr 993]

so i made a set of skids with the new welder,ive already used the roll of wire it came with,so im out of work right now and im not gonna get gas for a while,i will when im busy again,so im trying to fill pock marks and it works but i think that the spatter is giving me grief,most of the pock will be gone but it seems that the spatter is leaving some holes,will the gas take care of that or is it common to have to hit some pocks a couple of times,this thing is great,i also did get a decent helmet that auto darkens and this helps greatly