Stick welding with a MIG

[BukitCase]

" it would be much easier just to cut off the gas and slip on a small roll of fluxcore."

Actually, you would need to back out the hard wire, take that spool off, reverse the polarity, switch to knurled drive rolls, put the flux core on, feed the flux core wire thru the torch, maybe put a different cap on the torch...

Sounds to me like just plugging in a stinger (and maybe swapping polarity by just swapping front panel connections) would be just as easy, or easier... Steve

 

[Shield Arc]

The only advantages to gasless flux core is, production, and being able to weld outside. I ran gasless flux core on a project in Alaska in 90-MPH winds. Couldn't hardly walk around, but could set for 12-hour days and weld:laughing:.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

True, but you were feeding either from drums or from large rolls. This small 4" rolls that you buy from Lincoln are rather expensive. With MIG, 75% of my welding is done on my shop apron outside the shop. Rarely do I have an issue. If I have a significant breeze, I just turn my back to it,and shield the area and possibly jack the flow rate up a little. No, definitely anything in the neighborhood of 90 mph winds it won't be close to possible, but 90 mph winds can send rocks flying, so I won't push it that far with any type of welding. I'll be ducking for cover in my closet. But you are indeed the closest thing we have to a welding super hero icon, so I bet 90 was just getting you into your comfort zone. lol...

FYI for comparison
12 to 20 bucks a pound for a roll like this! When a 40 lb roll of hard wire can be bought for 65-80 bucks. A refill of gas on a large cylinder is 60-80 bucks...which will last a couple of rolls of 40 lb wire. Do the math, they don't come close.

Lincoln Electric 0.030 in. 1 lb. Innershield NR211 Flux-Cored Welding Wire-ED031448 - The Home Depot

A 10 lb roll is as almost as much as a 40 lb roll of hard wire and you can pay as little as 2.00lb or a little under for decent non Lincoln main name stuff that will get the job done. I buy locally my wire, so I have a better price than the typical guy shopping at home depot (by I long shot). These prices seem high all the way around, but this is what most people think of when you talk flux core unless you are a die hard, experienced welder.
Lincoln Electric 0.035 in. 10 lb. Spool Flux-Cored Nr211 Mild Steel Welding Wire-ED016354 - The Home Depot

Vs.
Airgas - LINED21274 - .35" ER7S-6 Lincoln Electric(R) Super Arc(R) L-56 Copper Coated Carbon Steel MIG Welding Wire 44# 12'' Fiber Spool

In comparision to stick, I pay roughly 2.00/lb for any stick electrode I want.

And 2-4 lb for any hard wire I want.

 

[Shield Arc]

Mark that job in Alaska we stayed in a camp. The local radio station came on at 6:00 AM. The first thing out of the disc jockey's mouth. "If you own a boat, or airplane you better get to it". On the way to work we drove right by the airport. Most of the airplanes were blown over. We were building dock, as we got close to the water boats were washed up on shore 60 to 70-feet.

 

[flusher]

Check out the ESAB Rebel.

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

IF they do that they'll end up paying a lot more. 799 (our list price on our 200, not with tbn discount price) versus over 1200 dollars (rough sale price via various outlets).

And our PowerMTS 211Si, if you want MIG TIG and Stick comes with way more than the Rebel in accessories, and features. Way more.

 

[GManBart]

So your not stick welding with a MIG, you're using a mutiprocess machine. So the title of this thread was quite misleading.

CC/CV machines have been out for decades. Now if you had accomplished those welds with a CV that would be a different story.

Move on folks, nothing to see here.

Wow, you're a treat.

Maybe the title could have been worded differently, but I don't think it's going to trick anybody after they read the actual thread.

"One of the least discussed things about our 240V MIG welders is that they can weld both MIG and Stick weld."

So, he's discussing it....pretty simple. If you go to their website and look at the i-MIG 200 and 205, they're listed under the MIG section. He's just pointing out they can also stick weld.

He never said other companies don't make multi-process machines, or said their products were unique in the capabilities. He's also described how many people call up trying to decide between stick and MIG, and he's simply pointing out there's an easy solution to that question. Sheesh...it's really not that hard to follow.

 

[handirifle]

So someone educate the uneducated (in welding). Can ANY Mig machine weld with stick, with proper setup of course? I use flux core most of the time cause my little 110v Mig doesn't penetrate as well with solid wire, but I would love to use the gas because it's a LOT cleaner.

Next question, WHY or when is stick better than Mig? I'm sure a book can and HAS been written on that one.

 

[k0ua]

So someone educate the uneducated (in welding). Can ANY Mig machine weld with stick, with proper setup of course? I use flux core most of the time cause my little 110v Mig doesn't penetrate as well with solid wire, but I would love to use the gas because it's a LOT cleaner.

Next question, WHY or when is stick better than Mig? I'm sure a book can and HAS been written on that one.

First question: NO.
Second question, More complicated. Most people can get good penetration with a Stick machine, and many people use a MIG machine that is too small for the job. If set up properly and the proper size a MIG machine can get fine penetration and is faster and easier to learn how to make good beads. BUT many people try to do too much with too small a machine which can lead to good looking beads that fail. There are many other factors, such ease of changing out a stick for a different job vs. setting up a MIG, and the cost of of consumables etc. This is not an easy question to answer, but I have done my best.

 

[Shield Arc]

Next question, WHY or when is stick better than Mig?

Stick welding has a few advantages over Mig / wire feed. Welding exotic metals for one. Jumping around a lot, or working real high. But I've had the crane operator take a wire feed up to the top of pile driving leads on the headache ball for me to repair them.

 

[k0ua]

One of the reasons people buy stick machines instead of MIG machines to start with is cost. Cost of the machine and cost of consumables, BUT if you already own a MIG machine capable of welding everything you want to weld, then I cant't think of a compelling reason to go out and buy a stick machine. They are quicker to change out from one type of rod to another and are much less complicated, but if the MIG is doing what you need done....

 

[Shield Arc]

When it comes to Mig welding, there is no substitute for power! :thumbsup:

 

[Mark @ Everlast]

No. I've seen some experiments with MIG machines welding, but it really isn't possible to do well or right as is. Keeping it simple, it is because MIG uses a constant voltage power source, and stick a constant current power source. These are the names given as they loosely describe what is happening while the power source is operating. There are changes in voltage in MIG, and current in stick, but these changes are minimal compared to the changes in amps while MIG welding and volts while stick welding. Basically, voltage goes down the closer the arc is held while stick welding. In MIG, the amperage is controlled by the wire feed speed, but it falls when the wire touches the puddle.

Anyway a unit has to be designed to perform both type processes, though a stick unit can be used to power a voltage sensing wire feeder. Shield Arc can tell you all about those.

Stick has its advantages and MIG has its. To say one is better than the other is like saying Fried Chicken is better than Fried Fish to a Southerner.

Stick may be more versatile than MIG in the fact that it can be taken almost anywhere to weld in a compact package almost any common metal or it can be the main process of an engine driven machine capable of producing hundreds of amps, but MIG itself, in the shop is a more productive performer.

 

[CreekyB]

Interesting read. I am going to be making the decision on a welder in the next few weeks and purchasing. I keep getting drawn into looking at the combo deals on the eastwood site, mig machine + plasma cutter + cart, or getting a mig/stick and a plasm from everlast. Still do not know what machine I will wind up with. The needs for a welder at home are getting to the point where taking it to work in the truck to weld while not on the clock is getting unfeasible.