Flexible Neck MIG Gun - Do I Need One?

[bulletpruf]

Just realized I could get a flexible neck for my MIG and it sure seems that one of these would come in handy, especially for finishing the roll cage in my '72 Javelin.

Do y'all use these? If so, do you use a normal gun until you need a flex neck and then swap guns? Or do you just leave the flex neck 100% of the time?

Any recommendations on brand and model? My MIG is a Miller 211.

Thanks,

Scott

 

[zimman]

Just realized I could get a flexible neck for my MIG and it sure seems that one of these would come in handy, especially for finishing the roll cage in my '72 Javelin.

Do y'all use these? If so, do you use a normal gun until you need a flex neck and then swap guns? Or do you just leave the flex neck 100% of the time?

Any recommendations on brand and model? My MIG is a Miller 211.

Thanks,

Scott

Naww. I've welded cages in race cars for years and never needed to spend the money. Even the 6x6 plates on the floor close to the rocker panel can be welded with a standard MIG gun. I wouldn't.
This tube is TIG but the floor plates are MIG.
Zim

 

[575cat]

Theyre great even keep a couple extra,s , I bend the hell otta them better then the big ol broom stick 200+ amp ones but theyre not meant for high amps . USA weld I get the 15 footers , I do a lot of custom exh so twisting , bending , using the pinky and other fingers is a must

 

[txvwnut]

This is the Garage Journal, yes you are supposed to have one. Do you need it, probably not but I refer back to my opening statement.

I've done a few cages as well and never seen the need for a flex neck mig gun.

 

[ADKAmateur]

The newest host on weld.com swears by his Abicor Benzel flex neck. I have the 211 and have been thinking of getting one but they make a gazillion different versions and I haven't been able to figure out which one to get.

 

[MoonRise]

Scott, a couple of things.

Need? Probably not. Possibly handy? Yes.

Check the rules and tech regs regarding roll cage welding requirements. Some don't allow MIG, because of the possibility of lack of fusion with short circuit transfer mode GMAW (all that your 211 can do btw).

What's your impression and comments on that big Vulcan welding cart? I've been considering one as a replacement for my smaller Vulcan cart, because my latest welder doesn't quite fit on top of the smaller cart.

Put some 10" wheels on the cart. Yeah, the OEM wheels are 8" IIRC, but they roll better with the bigger wheels. Refer back to my older comments about upsizing the wheels on the smaller cart to the 10" ones. Then you have to upsize the front casters too to keep the cart stance mostly level.

 

[ADKAmateur]

@MoonRise. Great idea on upgrading the wheels. I have the same cart as Scott and it is awesome. I have my TIG and water cooler and plasma cutter on it. It had enough room to hold my 211 MiG but I decided to put that on a separate cart.