Good homeowner welder?

[Shield Arc]

they are still light years better than any a/c machine. i doubt that i will ever buy into the argument that d/c output is anything less than exponentially better than a/c output.

it's an old saying and i believe it still holds true today... 'no self-respecting welder uses alternating current'.

if you are at the level where you don't know the difference between a/c and d/c output, at least try to understand that it is extremely important to have d/c output,

Oh boy, here we go! I'll just set back and

 

[rjmack]

Oh boy, here we go! I'll just set back and

sorry, couldn't resist.

it's really hard not to rib somebody who relies on a/c.

it's like they have a big 'kick me' sign on their back. :laughing:

 

[Shield Arc]

sorry, couldn't resist.

it's really hard not to rib somebody who relies on a/c.

it's like they have a big 'kick me' sign on their back. :laughing:

 

[Kioti guy]

If you had 220 allready ,a 175 mig or a ac/dc lincoln (or equivelant) would do anything you need. However not having 220 i would reccomend any of the name brand small migs. I have several welders in my shop, but for most jobs i find myself using my lincoln mig pac 100 running fluxcore wire , its just handy. I have actually built some fairly big projects using that welder, the only downside to these units is the duty cycle.......Craig

 

[deereman75]

Nah, I would say you are pretty well fixed up.. we will get you into TIGing later on, when you get bored with all those pretty stick beads you been running. You would like TIG pretty well I am sure. TIG is more tedious, you cannot go as fast, and it requires a certain physical coordination between both hands. (move, dip,move) But the results are nice, and the lack of smoke is a blessing. Not the mention the ability to easily work on thin workpieces.

James K0UA

I was just going to look at the everlast to know what their new stuff was like. I wont need another welder for a long time. I have done a reasonable bit of gas welding, so I think tig should fairly easy to pick up.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Here's the deal with the new 160...

We are updating the site. All the information isn't up yet. The new unit won't perform as well on 6010, but is similar to the 140, but with a built in solenoid and an option of DC HF or lift start . It's sort of favoring TIG in lieu of the 6010. It also is slated to have a foot pedal capability when it comes to the US. The current ones we have are being drop shipped from Canada. They are an early version of what we will have, and are not dual voltage yet.

The 140 will pull 29 amps on 220V, 240V will be lower closer to 25 amps or so. Out put will depend upon exact voltage, but it will also will be limited to breaker size. I have welded quite respectably with 1/8" rods. The 160 will be a little bit better though. I am waiting on final details and results of the dual voltage testing before making too big of a commitment on performance.

 

[k0ua]

Mark please keep us updated on this new 160, and you say it can have a gas solenoid and HF start and a foot pedal as an option? I would be interested in hearing more about it. Let us know when testing is complete .

James K0UA

 

[rcowan]

My future son-in-law who welds for a living but manages to keep it simple for my simple mind says: "DC leaves less slag" :thumbsup:. To me that means less work to clean up my great welds!! :ashamed:

RC

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

Mark please keep us updated on this new 160, and you say it can have a gas solenoid and HF start and a foot pedal as an option? I would be interested in hearing more about it. Let us know when testing is complete .

James K0UA

James,
It will have the HF start as a standard. But it will also offer a switch to choose between lift start and HF. It will have a simple 0-160 amp pedal, that offers full range of control while in Tig mode and it will be optional. Expect about 50-75.00 extra add in if bought with unit. No, you can't limit amps on the panel, but with only 160 amps, it isn't bad to manage your average DC weld of 70-120 amps.

I have the final panel design I created, and confirmed with the factory this week...and am posting here for all to see for the first time. This unit should be in in a month or a little longer. The whole month of February is being taken up by Everlast production alone, and none of its other world wide customers will be in production.

I'll have a final production picture soon.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

My future son-in-law who welds for a living but manages to keep it simple for my simple mind says: "DC leaves less slag" :thumbsup:. To me that means less work to clean up my great welds!! :ashamed:

RC

I'd say less slag in the weld itself...Whether AC or DC has the same amount of slag...just where it is left is the question. DC usually means it has easier to remove slag...

 

[k0ua]

James,
It will have the HF start as a standard. But it will also offer a switch to choose between lift start and HF. It will have a simple 0-160 amp pedal, that offers full range of control while in Tig mode and it will be optional. Expect about 50-75.00 extra add in if bought with unit. No, you can't limit amps on the panel, but with only 160 amps, it isn't bad to manage your average DC weld of 70-120 amps.

I have the final panel design I created, and confirmed with the factory this week...and am posting here for all to see for the first time. This unit should be in in a month or a little longer. The whole month of February is being taken up by Everlast production alone, and none of its other world wide customers will be in production.

I'll have a final production picture soon.

Oh my.. I may be interested in trading off my PA160. as you know I have started TIGing with the pa160. And have had good results But the HF start and pedal control, and I noticed a Post flow timer too?.. oh man.. my mouth is starting to water.. Keep us up to date. I am interested. Very interested.

James K0UA

 

[Diamondpilot]

For me the best all around welder I have is the Hobart 185. Got it at TSC on sale with a cart and accessories for around $400.

I also picked up a Miller 250 amp stick welder for $100 used.

I also have a 110V Harbor Freight wire welder that is 90 amps that actually does a decent job.

Chris

 

[Beltzington]

I believe my question is pertinent to the OP's so I won't apologize for hijacking his thread. .

I have also been looking at electric welders for home use for a long time and have not yet determined if I should buy a stick welder or a mig.

What is the main advantage of a wire-fed mig other than the ability to lay a continuous bead? Having learned on stick and torch many many years ago I am at least familiar with them but wire-fed is an unknown. Can't imagine a project where I would be concerned by having to stop and replace a rod.

 

[Shield Arc]

What is the main advantage of a wire-fed mig other than the ability to lay a continuous bead?

Easier to learn, no slag to speak of. But cost more.

 

[brewdog]

I have a 10 year old Lincoln 135 Mig 110 volt welder. I think it's called the 140 now. That 110 volt machine has been fantastic for small and mid size work. You would be amazed at welds and work I've done with it. With preheating the steel with my torches, I've welded 1/4" and 3/8" plate without an issue. Not the best thing to do, but if your in a pinch and need to make a repair, it just the ticket. I also like that I can run it in my House Garage if I need to. I won't part with it.

For bigger work, I have a Hobart stickmate 235 AC/DC arc welder. It's been a great welder as well. Seems I only run DC rods on it.

My next investment will be a TIG welder. Haven't decided which brand yet, still looking around.

 

[Beltzington]

Easier to learn, no slag to speak of. But cost more.

I am guessing the "no slag," only applies when using gas, not the fluxwire models?

 

[Shield Arc]

My next investment will be a TIG welder. Haven't decided which brand yet, still looking around.

Here you go! I have the little sister to this one. These machines are so advanced, they'll weld aluminum for you, all you have to do is turn it on.

Miller - TIG Welders - Dynasty 350

 

[Shield Arc]

I am guessing the "no slag," only applies when using gas, not the fluxwire models?

Yes.
You have to run gas with some flux core wires, generally they are called dual shield.
Flux Core-GS= gas shielded. Not much splatter, but heavy slag coverage.
Flux Core-SS= self shielded. Some, to a lot of splatter, some to heavy slag coverage.

 

[Beltzington]

Yes.
You have to run gas with some flux core wires, generally they are called dual shield.
Flux Core-GS= gas shielded. Not much splatter, but heavy slag coverage.
Flux Core-SS= self shielded. Some, to a lot of splatter, some to heavy slag coverage.

What happened to the "no slag" comment. Be gentle, just trying to understand. Thanks.

 

[k0ua]

Solid wire (no flux) is run with gas, hence very little slag. (next to none)

James K0UA