MIG or Stick?

[hilld]

I like to weld with both, depending the job and I only have 1 machine. Mine is a Miller XMT 304, it is a multiprocess welder, meaning it can do CC and CV, the only thing it won't do is AC TIG, but if I ever have the need for that, I will either rent a TIG welder or farm the job out. I did have to purchase a feeder for the power unit, but I bought both units used from the local welding shop, it was one of their rentals and they gave me a 1 year warranty on it. So far is has served all my needs.

Hope that helps a little, but you have already gotten great advice.

Derek

 

[SpringHollow]

If you want to think a little out of the box:

I have a used Lincoln AC/DC Tombstone and bought a used ReadyWelder that can be run off batteries or the DC on the stick. The ReadyWelder gives you MIG capability for 3/4" metal with 3 batteries. For not a lot of money, this gives you a lot of capability (shop and portable MIG welding on thin to thick metal including aluminum, and Stick). Negatives are it is a spool gun so you are holding the spool in your hand and it only takes i believe 1 lb spools which cost more per pound). I have not used it yet but a lot of people love them.

DC stick for me is soooo much easier than AC. Had a hard time until i switched to DC.

Ken

 

[Reg]

If you want to think a little out of the box:

I have a used Lincoln AC/DC Tombstone and bought a used ReadyWelder that can be run off batteries or the DC on the stick. The ReadyWelder gives you MIG capability for 3/4" metal with 3 batteries. For not a lot of money, this gives you a lot of capability (shop and portable MIG welding on thin to thick metal including aluminum, and Stick). Negatives are it is a spool gun so you are holding the spool in your hand and it only takes i believe 1 lb spools which cost more per pound). I have not used it yet but a lot of people love them.

DC stick for me is soooo much easier than AC. Had a hard time until i switched to DC.

Ken

I agree, if you aren't in PRODUCTION work the ReadyWelder is a neat little tool with a lot of power for THICK metal.
Kinda hard to beat dollarwise as long as you are only doing occasional repairs or hobby work.

 

[Scotty370]

We (my son and I) have two Lincolns. His, 175 Mig Machine, and my recent purchase, a Lincoln 225-AC/DC tombstone. He can do beautiful work on lighter stock! No slag, etc, on 1/8" stock or less! I, on the other hand, can do 'crap' with it, but I probably haven't given myself a chance! I'm a new welder. He's taken lessons at the local vocational school. I love the new stick machine, welding 1/8"-1/4" & even 1/2" Plate with it in DC mode. Truth be told, I've never struck an arc on AC! My favorite? 3/16"-1/4" welding with 6013 1/4" rod! I've even made some welds I'd show someone! But what's that they say? Practice,.....Practice,........Practice...! ~Scotty

 

[mojoinco]

There are a couple of conditions that flux core works well. Outside in the wind. Once a few years ago I was talking to a couple of guys that weld for the custom operations of our local Cat dealer. They were welding a huge gear box back on (big broken welds). This was the kind o box that had bull gears that had teeth 3~4 " wide. They showed up with portable mig units (premium brand stuff) and I asked them what process they were going to use (I expected stick). They were indoors, but planned on using mig with flux core for double shielding protection. I hadn't thought about the penetration affect, but you do swap polarity when using flux core versus MIG process on the same machine. Just as in stick/tig welding, it all matters.

The largest of the 120 v mig machines will use the larger rolls of wire, which another person commented on the price. Big savings. For remote use, meaning long distances from the power source, there are small handheld guns (as mentioned for the portable mig machine) that are used so that the wire doesn't drag and bind in the cable (if it were making the long distance run). I think that is where the consumer type machines got there start using the 1 or 2# rolls (they were available and easy to build machines around as supplies were already in place).

The best part is having someone teach you that can focus on you. I remember taking an arc welding class and being most of the way through before the teacher understood I didn't know what I was supposed to be seeing (shape wise) in the weld puddle. It was all so clear after he showed me. The little things that seem so obvious....