I'd like to start picking up welding as a hobby. I work in a metal fabrication shop, but I'm mostly a design/desk jockey. Most of our MIG machines are substantially larger than homeowner/hobby equipment, typically newer Miller or Lincoln 350 amp machines. Most are loaded with .045 wire all the time. Is it going to be tougher to "get going" with a larger welder (with way more available settings and adjustments) and big wire?
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Learning MIG on "big" machines?
- Thread starter red92s
- Start date
rsanter
Well-known member
You will learn the basics and you will learn about getting good penetration and laying a nice bead.
What you will not lears is how to weld sheet metal without blowing through it or warping it.
I would say if you have the access to the machines and someone there that is good to teach you then you should take advantage of that. Then go from there
Bob
What you will not lears is how to weld sheet metal without blowing through it or warping it.
I would say if you have the access to the machines and someone there that is good to teach you then you should take advantage of that. Then go from there
Bob
kazlx
Well-known member
It would probably be easier to learn. You have machines already set up for material that you would be welding, with someone that knows what they are doing (hopefully). Not to mention, there is usually more wiggle room with thicker material, as there is less risk of blowing through.
Like Bob said, there are some intricacies that you won't be able to learn and will just have to experiment on your own, but you have more available to you than most do and I would take advantage of it if you are interested and it's available.
Like Bob said, there are some intricacies that you won't be able to learn and will just have to experiment on your own, but you have more available to you than most do and I would take advantage of it if you are interested and it's available.
metaleltr
Well-known member
If you were to use those machines to weld 1/8" steel you might be able to get the idea of welding sheetmetal if it were turned up a little high.
Sureshot
ALLIANCE MEMBER
After welding with those top quality machines you will be spoiled and if you try it with a fluxcore 120V machine you will be WTF ??????????????????
Last edited:
After welding with those top quality machines you will be spoiled and if you try it with a fluxcore 100 machine you will be WTF ??????????????????
I agree.
I think that it is easier to weld with the big machines. But if you are looking for that "stacked" look I find it very difficult to get that with .045 wire. I also agree that you will get spoiled. There is a big difference between the industrial units that have been setup by professional welders and the small home use units.
Dweezel17
Member
It shoudnt be tougher to get goin or get the hang of it, But it will be a lot diffrent then the smaller 180-250volt garage machines. The industrial machines rely on spray tranfser, and with .045 wire your travel speed will be signifagantly faster.
sberry
Banned
If they are running it in spray, if not its the same as smaller machines.
Ditto. It will be easier initially, but you will not learn how to weld thinner stuff. Also concur that you probably don't want to buy a 110V cheapo flux core machine at home after you use what you have at work.
I work at a desk also, but do everything of my own at home. You will inherently do your job better because you will gain a deeper understanding of what goes on the drawings you specify. You learn what can be done in theory, what can be done in reality, and specifically the capabilities at your company. If you want to be a successful design guy then it's a good idea to have a rapport with the guys in the shop. I worked for a huge company once and when I had a question on how to set something up on my mill at home, I asked the machinists at work. They thought it was cool as heck that an engineer was asking them questions and were more than happy to help. I knew every one of them by name. The same for the welder, when I tried to weld aluminum for the first time, I'd ask him questions. I sincerely appreciated it. I asked because I needed to know, not to brown nose. However, the side benefit was that it seemed like any time I had a legit work project, my stuff always got done before everybody else's. Not trying to ramble here, just saying that it will help you in many ways. Go for it!
I work at a desk also, but do everything of my own at home. You will inherently do your job better because you will gain a deeper understanding of what goes on the drawings you specify. You learn what can be done in theory, what can be done in reality, and specifically the capabilities at your company. If you want to be a successful design guy then it's a good idea to have a rapport with the guys in the shop. I worked for a huge company once and when I had a question on how to set something up on my mill at home, I asked the machinists at work. They thought it was cool as heck that an engineer was asking them questions and were more than happy to help. I knew every one of them by name. The same for the welder, when I tried to weld aluminum for the first time, I'd ask him questions. I sincerely appreciated it. I asked because I needed to know, not to brown nose. However, the side benefit was that it seemed like any time I had a legit work project, my stuff always got done before everybody else's. Not trying to ramble here, just saying that it will help you in many ways. Go for it!