Weldmark135 wire feed

handirifle · Jun 19, 2012

I am looking to get a larger welder, but funds are very tight. I currently use, and have used for about 10yrs, my Campbell Hausfield 110v 90A mig. It has and will continue to serve me well, but there are a few projects in my future that will require something with a bit more oomp, for say 3/8" or possibly 1/2" welding. I know I could have one suitable for 3/8 and do multi passes, probably better anyway.

I saw this welder on CL for $135. Weldmark135 wire feed, 110v.

Should I consider this or buy an old AC buzz box? I am comfortable with mig, and has been a LONG time since I stick welded, but could probably get about almost as good as I am with the mig (maybe).

It seems to have a fairly wide adjustment range. At this point, I have no idea if or how well it even works, but was wondering if the brand is worthwhile? Also would the 135 A be enough of a move up you think?

Thanks

Shield Arc · Jun 19, 2012

Personally I wouldn't make that small of a jump in amps. If funds are tight, buy a used stick welder. Stick welding is your best bang for the buck! For the average do it yourself kind of guy who may weld something 2 or 3 times a year Tig and Mig welders are a hole in the shop floor to throw money in!

rhett · Jun 19, 2012

>
From this PDF (Weldmark 135 Plus Brochure)
http://www.weldmark.com/public/products/pdf/WL-WM135PL052002.pdf
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For welding 24 gauge through 5/16 (0.6-8.0mm) mild steel plate
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Rated DC Output
Amps/Volts/Duty Cycle*
90A/18V/20%
>
Weldmark 135 Plus Manual
http://www.lincolnelectric.com/assets/ServiceNavigator-public/LINCOLN3/IM789.pdf
>

If your current 110v MIG works, keep using it. It is great to have for thin material projects.
The Weldmark 135 is rated the same and is made by Lincoln Electric. With a 25amp circuit it will provide 135amps max but with a very limited duty cycle. Like weld 1 or 2 inches and waiting 10 minutes for next weld on 1/4" steel.
My opinion is a 110v 90amp MIG is only good for 1/8" or less steel projects.
Though if it works, it would make for a cheap second unit.

What ShieldArc says, relearning Stick is not that hard.

rankrank1 · Jun 19, 2012

As pointed out by Rhett that Welder is a Lincoln SP-135P in disguise. The Lincoln SP-135P was and still is considered one of the finest 115 volt mig units ever made. Probably one of the reasons that one of the forum sponsors copied it and is currently selling a similar unit although I imagine it has been cheapened up over the Lincoln/Weldmark version. The price you found is a real bargain and I would snatch it and sell your current unit as this is a much better welder than your Campbell Hausfield. The Lincoln SP-135P sold for $650'ish when new and the Weldmark could be found for $475'ish during promo sales (I actually have Weldmark version myself which I purchased new).

That all said I would also pick up a 240 volt Stick machine for the thicker metals as a 115 volt Mig is limited to 3/16 and thinner metals in my opinion. Have I welded thicker yes, but it was improvising. Regardless, a quality mig like this for $135 and then obtain a cheap buzz box stick welder along the lines of a (Hobart Stickmate, Miller Thunderbolt, or a Lincoln AC225/DC 125) and you have lots of capability for minimal investment as well as an added bonus of portability too. You could in turn try to sell the Campbel Hausfield and recoup most of your investment in upgrading to this Weldmark.

I typically use the the mig for all thin metals of 1/8" thick or less. I use Stick for anything over 1/8" thick or any dirty/rusty type metals.

handirifle · Jun 19, 2012

Ok thanks for honest answers. I still need to think about where my funds are best spent. While the weldmark is more than likely a better machine, if I got it, I would still keep the current CH model, since it was a gift from my wife.

Unfortunately I do not have the funds to get that one and then a heavy duty stick. I missed the boat a couple weeks back on an AC/DC 225 for $100, believe it or not! Am still kicking myself for that. I THOUGHT it was a straight AC till I noticed a second, closer pic on the listing and saw the AC/DC on the unit. Someone beat me to it.

terraformer · Jun 25, 2012

I have experienced a similar issue. Have a Lincoln 100A mig unit. It is over it's head and doesn't like heavier metal. It may be very heat sensitive too. I just know that the welding changes once I have used it for a few minutes.

Luckily a friend had an older Miller Thunderbolt 225A unit.

Have had the stick welder for about a year. I hated it at first but now I seem to weld well with it. I prefer the simplicity of the stick and seldom burn holes or have bad welds, the welds hold up well and look fairly good. Some times I use my small mig to tack weld a part then finish it up with the Stick welder.

handirifle · Jun 26, 2012

You know, I have to honestly say the little CH I have has done very well for me. I have welded 3/8 plates, may time, not in one pass, but with several passes, and it penetrates good and deep, that is using flux core wire. Now is it as deep as a stick welder set on 150 amps? No way, but for what I was doing it was fine. I went through about 15lb of wire like that, and only on very long sessions would it kick off to cool. I cannot say I ever noticed any difference in the machines performance, when welding thin or thick.

I will say that it does not perform nearly as well with the solid wire/gas setup. By performance, I mean penetration. There is a big difference in slag production, but at what I consider a HUGE increase in cost per weld, so for that reason, I run .035" flux wire about 90% of the time.

I would like to get a heavier duty welder, to insure I have enough power to work on heavier projects though.

terraformer · Jun 26, 2012

handi: When I got my lincoln weld pac 100 it was a plain wire feed welder. After a couple of years I converted it to gas. They gave me a new liner for the wire tube and I switched from .030" flux core to .024" solid wire and the gas regulator stuff. I never went back to reconvert it back to the wire feed mode.

I noticed the same thing as you. The welds got cleaner but the capabilities went down. I could weld 1/4" steel before but now with gas it just gives me chicken droppings when I go above 1/8".

In hindsight it was a mistake to convert the little welder to gas. Also the welding cost and inconvenience has gone up a lot I buy 2-3 tanks of gas a year. Have to drive about 20 miles to get a replacement tank.

After a year I still weld with my Thunderbolt on AC. I tried DC and probably it was lack of experience but I was having trouble getting the weld that I wanted. Probably should start a new thread on it.