Mig Welding..

[chumly2071]

Not knowing what your budget is, but knowing you want to do at least some structural work building tractor accessories, I'd limit the bottom of my mig list to the 180ish size from Miller/Hobart or Lincoln. Anything less, even with the weld prep and multiple passes just won't cut it for 3/16"-1/4" steel. If you don't plan a lot of sheet gauge stuff, the advice on a stick power source is very good. there isn't a lot you can't weld with the numerous electrode types/sizes available. learning stick will never be a waste of time.

If buying a mig new, look closely at local support as far as service and consumables. Online pricing sometimes drives you to places like Indiana Oxygen on ebay, but give your local welding supply place a shot at price matching. they might surprise you.

one other thing worth mentioning is the units sold at the box stores are not always the same internally as the units to be had at the welding supply place. some features and "robustness" may be altered to match the price point the box stores are trying to reach.

if starting out with a limited budget, I'd opt for a good ac/dc stick machine for the heavy stuff and learning opportunity, and a 140 class mig machine for sheet metal and similar. you should be able to locate these used, and local, for a good deal if you are patient and do some searching.

my personal fleet includes a Miller 130 and 210 mig, and a Lincoln square wave pro 175 tig.

several posts of this nature have been gone over a bunch of times on the miller welding forum, and on the forums at shopfloortalk.com. you might do some searhes on both sites for additional information.

HTH
Chad-

 

[AlanB]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I figure this might be the place to ask because it's kind of a build question.

After seeing all these posts with everyone building things, I'm getting the itch too. My biggest problem with this is that it seems welding will be a requirement and I don't have a welder.

With no welder, I figure I'd better get one. Fact is, I've always wanted one over the years, but I never had a need for one. Well, now that I really want one, do you think a wimpy MIG welder will be fine?

I'm figuring, I won't be doing many welds over 1/4" and Lincoln sells the Weld Pak 3200HD MIG/Flux core welder (advertised to well to 5/16") at Home Depot. And for a beginner, is there really any need to get something more powerful?

Thanks all!!

Usually I see the advice already, and I may have just missed it, but here is my 2 cents.

Take $100 of your money (you will be spending more) but take that first $100 and apply it too education. First choice would be a local vo-tech or trade school if one is available. Second choice is find a guy that is doing the type work (welding) that you want too do and work with him. A couple times a year I have folks into my shop and they learn welding.

If you want to spend more money, but get better quicker results, go to Lincoln, Hobart or Miller, they all have EXCELLENT schools, go do a one week intro to welding technologies type class where they will run through all sorts of stuff.

While it is true, you can get books, tapes, video's etc. to learn, get a stick and start practicing (and yes, no matter how you learn, 95% is practice) it just goes so much smoother if you have someone leaning over your shoulder giving you pointers along the way.

So, that was the long answer.

As to the direct point of your question, yes, that is a fine welder and easy to learn on. Make sure you stay within the limits of the machine, which imo are less then data plate limits for the average (and especially novice) welder and then complement that machine with a quality AC buzz box when one shows up used.

 

[crabjoe]

Thanks for all the responses and I think I can answer some of the questions I've seen.

1st, I have ZERO experiance welding. I've seen it done, but never done it myself.

2nd, I had a friend that works at a machine shop. He's telling me to get a stick welder and he would teach me how to stick weld. He also told me that to start, a MIG is better, especailly for thin metals. Only problem is, he says he never MIG welds, so he can't really teach me with one. After what he told me, I figured, I'd get a MIG and if I need something heavy done, I'd just take it over to him.

I figure the 120V MIG would do well for adding things like hooks or back plates. Plus, would I need anything more for some repairs on vehicles? I'd like to build myself a set of Rockrails for my Jeep.

Almost forgot. Taking a class is out of the question. I've already missed it at the local Community College and they wanted close to $300 to take the class. Shoot, I can get a 120V MIG welder for around $400.

Thanks.

 

[AlanB]

Thanks for all the responses and I think I can answer some of the questions I've seen.

1st, I have ZERO experiance welding. I've seen it done, but never done it myself.

2nd, I had a friend that works at a machine shop. He's telling me to get a stick welder and he would teach me how to stick weld. He also told me that to start, a MIG is better, especailly for thin metals. Only problem is, he says he never MIG welds, so he can't really teach me with one. After what he told me, I figured, I'd get a MIG and if I need something heavy done, I'd just take it over to him.

I figure the 120V MIG would do well for adding things like hooks or back plates. Plus, would I need anything more for some repairs on vehicles? I'd like to build myself a set of Rockrails for my Jeep.

Thanks.

All the work you just described, I would reach for my Millermatic 250 (much bigger MIG then you are looking at) or a stick.

You want to weld the body panels on your jeep, little mig is great, you want to weld up some light gauge 1" tubing, you are jamming you have the right machine.

Hooks? I am guessing 1/2" thick or better? Backplates, I am assuming it would be like 3 point mount peices 1/4" or heavier, Rock rails, the ones I have done have been really heavy to take the abuse, those are out of the range of the welder that you are looking at.

That said, I have a Miller Matic 135 (similar to what you are looking at) and I would have to say that is the most used welder in my shop. Sheetmetal and odds and ends around the place it just get's used all the time.

Let me also inject here, before someone else jumps in and starts talking about multipass, or O/A welding etc. etc. There are a zillion other ways of doing what you are looking at, and a good welder can make that little machine do lots with proper weld prep, preheating, and an expert hand.

All that too the side, you want a welder of sufficient umph to do what you need with a minimum of hassle, and if the projects you described above are what you are looking at day to day, I would say you are looking at the wrong machine.

Repeating myself.

Go to a class, run the different machines for yourself, with someone showing you the differences. You will gain a lot of insight just seeing the results.

 

[dvan1966]

I bought a used stick and learned how to weld myself. I read a book and asked a few questions to a coworker who could weld. I then bought a small wire welder from TSC when I built a go kart out of thinner material than I couldn't weld with the stick.
I use the stick 95% of the time. usually when I am welding something for the Kubota or attatchments, it is heavier metal and I need the stick.

 

[wushaw]

I agree with AlanB, your list of to do things are for a 220v class machine.

With a 220v mig you can still do what a 115v machine can do.

 

[bobodu]

Now just listen to yourself...
If your buddy is gonna teach you to stick...you're gonna know 90% of what you need to know!! Most classes start by teaching you stick.
You just never know when you're gonna want to weld something substantial. Once you start sparking,you're gonna find lots of things to stick together and you're gonna run outta welder quick with a little 110v unit....ask me how I know if you must. As far as what you can do with a MIG verses stick....well I can buy little bitty coat hanger rod and weld the exhaust or I can buy great big honking rod and weld up loader buckets. I don't run outta leads and have to pull the welder around either.Never run outta gas on Sunday,never have to unkink a wire feed or screw with a fouled nozzle.
Hooks and back plates? Ask your buddy about "penetration".

 

[whiteh2o]

I stick welded in high school shop...years and years ago (too many). I just acquired an ac/dc 230v stick welder from Craig's list for 150 dollars. It's an old Craftsman. Bought a helmet, gloves, some rod, scrap steel, a cheap Harbor F. cut off saw and away I went at it. Took a few evenings out in the garage, but, I can lay a nice bead now. It just takes practice. The only problem I still have is burning trough small material (1/8 and less) because the metal gets too hot through a 3 inch pass before I get through practicing. I reduce the amps and don't seem to get enough penetration. Most of the penetration is real good (too much). Ha. I'll get it. The other thing is if the weld looks crappy, grind it off and weld it again. I'm sure the pros have never done that...ha

I also just bought a Lincoln 230v 180C on sale. I used to wire feed years ago as well. I have yet to use it since its being shipped. I went in half with a buddy that does it for a living because he wants to weld aluminum.

I think each welder has its place and if you don't want to spend thousands on a wire feed, pick up a used (make sure it has DC) stick welder and practice. I assure you I can get penetration on the stick. The wire feed will be used for lighter work IMHO.

That being said, if I was going to need 12K d-rings with 7018 welded on my car hauler for transport, I would be buying lunch for my friends that do it for a living. If something breaks on one of my implements or I want to build something that attaches to the tractor that won't cause any harm (me or anyone) I'll weld it myself and you can too. My other half is interested in some metal art projects and stick is not the animal for that.

One thing I found with stick is that I cut the electrodes in half so they are shorter to work with on small material. It made it easier for me to practice.

I'm no expert by any means, but, it's my .02.

 

[bobodu]

When welding small stuff with stick,make a short weld...let it cool off just enough so you can't see it though the helmet...two seconds maybe..touch it again...cool etc.
I just filled a thumbnail sized burn through on 1/16 tube using 3/32 rod at 75 amps.

 

[Willis Fecon Bushhogging]

I'm not sure if this is the right forum, but I figure this might be the place to ask because it's kind of a build question.

After seeing all these posts with everyone building things, I'm getting the itch too. My biggest problem with this is that it seems welding will be a requirement and I don't have a welder.
Thanks all!!

I would buy a Lincoln or ??? 225amp, 220V stick welder and learn how to weld. You will have the ampere to weld most things, you will need. This is the way I learned, never had a class, but some good advice from friends and I graduated from the school of hard knocks (#1 in my class) After you learn how to weld, buy yourself a 220V mig and I think it might be easier to learn the mig thingee. Just my 2 cents worth