welding question

[Sully2]

"DUDE"....the very nature of stick is such that even though the weld may be on the ugly side,it's far more likely than an inexperienced welder can make a stronger weld.You ever wonder why stick is the first thing they teach? I am able to use either process,but my MIG sits there most of the time because I want things to hold.

I spent 8 weeks at night at welding school last year..1 week on stick..the other 7 weeks on MIG!!! And once you have used a DC stick machine..you sit and ponder WHY anyone would even BUY a AC stick machine..its so much easier.
Seems to me like either you dont have a MIG welder LARGE enough to do the job...OR..you lack profiency in doing MIG welding!!! Cmon into the 21 century guy!

As far as cost goes,my Lincoln AC225 cost me $85 and my Lincarc welder/generator was given to me.

You purchase neither of those at NEW..retail price. So the cost YOU paid for them is totally irrelavant!

 

[bobodu]

I wouldn't buy a big MIG....I have stick welders and know how to use them.
If I'm building something like a tow hook...I FORGE weld em.
Didn't they teach you why some applications are better done with AC?

 

[jake98]

Do you guys all put the ugliest welds right where they can be seen, and then flip the thing over and put the good welds on the bottom after you figure it out? That's what I usually do.
Looks like we have three or four new member welders in this thread. Good sign...
Jake

 

[bobodu]

Nah....if "pretty" is important,I own a grinder...but I rarely need it.

 

[mechanic]

If you've been trained well you know when a weld is wrong and you know you can do better that is when you break out the grinder and start over. Just be sure the weld is right. There is a right and wrong way in stick and mig.

 

[bobodu]

I wouldn't shave my whole head if there was one long hair!!!
500 posts!

 

[jake98]

I'm thinkin there's welders listnin an I ain't one...

Big Booger welds is what I've heard the ones that look like mine called..

but then again I've heard there's no 'ones'.

jake

 

[patrick_g]

Ah... er... about the original questions... I have a Lincoln Weld Pak 100 (runs on 120 volts on 20 amp ckt) MIG that I exclusively use with flux core wire. It is rated to weld up to 1/4 inch steel. It will weld 1/4 inch steel with multiple passes, barely. A great little MIG (emphasis on little) but more effective that a lot of the el cheapo brand X junk you find at the auto store, farm store, Harbor Freight, etc.

If I need to do some serious welding (typically 3/16 and up) I use my Lincoln tombstone (AC/DC model) on DC. The MIG can't be beat for convenience and when you need to work on light gauge metal.

Pat

 

[soarkrebel1]

This one brought me out of looking!

If you gotta ask then go get some schooling!!!

Me I have a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC and a Miller 210w/spool gun ,dual tanks and I spend far more time on the 210. Actually I just finished for the evening on a project.

TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!! the 210's welds are every bit as strong as the stick. faster ,cleaner and far easier!

Now I will agree with the little harbor freight statement. I have owned 115 units and they have a use. But not for penetration when super strength is needed.
But I welded hooks on my FEL with a century 115v unit and they are still holding. Would I do it now ? NO!

Sully2 is speaking the truth so far!!!!

And you bought a Lincoln AC225 tombstone for $85 bucks.......price them now!
around $250 or more now new.
Good welders ..been around a long time ...........but my recommendation is like Sully2's .............spend the extra and get the AC/DC!

The truth is YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!!!!




Quote:
Originally Posted by bobodu
What bothers me about MIGs is that Joe Schmoe goes to Harbor Freight and buys a $200 MIG and expects to be able to build a safe FEL with it.Or a 10,000lb. trailer or a motorcycle.My own personal belief is if ya gotta ask,you better go stick.


And inexperinced welders wont do that with an El Cheapo stick machine? C'mon dude!!
__________________
Kubota B3030; LA403 FEL; 60 inch backblade; sub-soiler; ballast box; EzMover hitch; Payne clamp-on bucket forks; a HD set of smaller discs and a 60" landscape rake with dolly wheels
Hobart HH140 Mig welder
Hobart HH210 Mig welder

 

[soarkrebel1]

I'm going to ask this just for general knowledge of welding. Using mig welders in particular. If I'm looking at Mig adds, I notice they sometime mention being able to weld a certain thickness of steel, 1/4", 1/2" etc. Is the what it's capable of welding in a single pass? And will multiple passes be as strong as a single pass.
Just wanting a little info about welding thats all.
If you were going to weld 1" and 3/4" steel together, would mig give the same results (strength wise) as a stick welder.

Wedge

Here go to this website and read................

MIG, TIG, Stick, And Oxy/Fuel Welding - WeldingWeb - Professional Welding Forum

 

[Sully2]

I wouldn't buy a big MIG....I have stick welders and know how to use them.
If I'm building something like a tow hook...I FORGE weld em.
Didn't they teach you why some applications are better done with AC?

But thats YOU...has nothing to do with which process might be "better"....might be easier to learn to do properly..or any direct relative info at all.....its simply YOUR PREFERENCE....nothing more

 

[Sully2]

This one brought me out of looking!

If you gotta ask then go get some schooling!!!

Me I have a Miller Thunderbolt AC/DC and a Miller 210w/spool gun ,dual tanks and I spend far more time on the 210. Actually I just finished for the evening on a project.

TRUST ME!!!!!!!!!! the 210's welds are every bit as strong as the stick. faster ,cleaner and far easier!

Now I will agree with the little harbor freight statement. I have owned 115 units and they have a use. But not for penetration when super strength is needed.
But I welded hooks on my FEL with a century 115v unit and they are still holding. Would I do it now ? NO!

Sully2 is speaking the truth so far!!!!

And you bought a Lincoln AC225 tombstone for $85 bucks.......price them now!
around $250 or more now new.
Good welders ..been around a long time ...........but my recommendation is like Sully2's .............spend the extra and get the AC/DC!

The truth is YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR!!!!!!!!

Amen!!

 

[bobodu]

Been through his threads dozens of times on ten different forums and it always ends the same way!!! LOL
1.Guy asks about welding heavy material.
2.Several guys tell him stick penetrates better.
3.The rest of the thread fills with guys that have made an Abrams M1A1 with a Harbor Freight 140 MIG.
LOL!!!
If you know what you're doing,either could work.
If ya gotta ask...go with stick. LOL!!!

I just got done using the Hobart 210 at the plant....it stinks!!! I miss the Lincoln....

 

[wedge40]

The funny part about this thread is I'm not really ever suppose to weld. At least that's what to doc said. I was curious because I was having a BH ripper tooth made.. The guy doing it had a really nice Mig (I believe 220 amps). This was his first stab at welding anything 1" thick. He said it was learning curve but it's done and I get to go pick it up today. I'll post pic's in my other thread of what it looks like. Once it gets warm I'll post photos of it in action too.

Wedge

 

[patrick_g]

Been through his threads dozens of times on ten different forums and it always ends the same way!!! LOL
1.Guy asks about welding heavy material.
2.Several guys tell him stick penetrates better.
3.The rest of the thread fills with guys that have made an Abrams M1A1 with a Harbor Freight 140 MIG.
LOL!!!
If you know what you're doing,either could work.
If ya gotta ask...go with stick. LOL!!!

I just got done using the Hobart 210 at the plant....it stinks!!! I miss the Lincoln....

So very very right! All welding processes have their good and bad points and idiosyncrasies that might be called either good, bad, or indifferent depending on your ability.

To the man who only has a hammer, every job looks like a nail!

I do a little with AC and DC stick and a little with flux core wire MIG. NOT EXPERT!!! Did a little TIG while doing developmental work on a portable battery operated welder that did stick and TIG. Never did successfully TIG aluminum (shows my level of capability.)

I managed to get a few good aluminum welds at home with flux coated rods using the good ole Lincoln AC/DC tombstone.

What really matters is not so much the input side of welding; the machine, materials, clamps art on the helmet, brand of leathers, etc. What matters is the results. If you get the right results then by definition you did it the RIGHT way. All processes that result in correct results are alternate correct processes.

All that is left for argument is my way is better than yours because it is my way, the way grand dad did it, I took a course, it is cheaper, it looks prettier, I breathe less fumes, I make more (or less) sparks, it keeps the electric bill down, it saves me time, I don't have to grind and or chip so much, or ...

Pat

 

[RancherSam]

i can't remember the last time I did AC on stick. I'm doing mostly DCEP on stick. I have a Mig that I hardly every use it's always parked in the hangar Mostly I'm doing stuff outside so MIG isn't applicable. I stick with 6010 and 7018. 7018 for stuff that must hold, and 6010 for all other as well as root passes.

 

[Sully2]

.....
I just got done using the Hobart 210 at the plant....it stinks!!! I miss the Lincoln....

Directly opposite opinion to thousands of users that have purchased the HH210 unit. Sounds to me like you need SERIOUS instruction in how to use a wire fed welder!

 

[wushaw]

Directly opposite opinion to thousands of users that have purchased the HH210 unit. Sounds to me like you need SERIOUS instruction in how to use a wire fed welder!

He must have been talking about the fumes

 

[bobodu]

Tell ya what ...I wouldn't trade my experience since 1978 with MIG and SMAW for your 8 weeks of classes,and maybe after ten years in industrial maintenance you can show me some of your fancy 21st century tricks. In turn,if I can still swing a big hammer,I'll teach you some 14th century forge welding tricks.LOL

 

[bones1]

The funny part about this thread is I'm not really ever suppose to weld. At least that's what to doc said. I was curious because I was having a BH ripper tooth made.. The guy doing it had a really nice Mig (I believe 220 amps). This was his first stab at welding anything 1" thick. He said it was learning curve but it's done and I get to go pick it up today. I'll post pic's in my other thread of what it looks like. Once it gets warm I'll post photos of it in action too.

Wedge

Wedge, If I may ask, why would a doc tell you not to weld?.