Mig welding question.

[cdestuck]

Have a Lincoln mig welder in my garage. Although I have 220v in my garage, I had purchased a 110v welder in case I ever needed to take it somewhere away from my garage. Specifically a Lincoln SP-135 Plus.

I know this size of machine isn’t built to weld 1/4” stock, but was wondering this. If I took my torch and tanks and heated the steel up close to red hot, would this allow my to weld 1/4” stock and get good penetration. Tks for any input on this.

 

[sberry]

It will help. The machine you bought is very good but its limited. What type of work is the main focus? If you havnt ripped it open might be worth getting bigger right off the bat. Same machine, one size larger.

 

[MoonRise]

With GMAW aka MIG, iffy.

Use some FCAW like the Lincoln NR211-mp in 0.035 that the machine is 'rated' (and designed) to use. That size and type of wire can do 1/4" with the 120V machine. RTFM and/or look at the door chart parameter recommendations. Manual says use D-3.5 for parameters on 1/4" steel using 0.035 NR211-MP wire.

Or, in true GJ fashion of buying another tool, get a Lincoln 210MP machine. Can run on 120 or 240V power (less output power on 120V obviously). That machine can do 1/4" steel GMAW when on 240V input power, using 0.035 solid wire and C25 or 100% CO2 gas.

 

[sberry]

I doubt that little machine would get much more out of 035 than 030 and the smaller would really run so much better. I ran some of these with meters and test when I did one for Hobart, tested my Linc along side it. Its been a while, solid 030 c25 but you really had to fuss with it to wring out 5 more A with the bigger wire and the arc turned to shat just about the time a guy got there. I know it wasnt more than 10A for sure, didnt really help and not worth it as the smaller wire worked so much better thru the rest of the range and lots better on the low end.

 

[sberry]

I got a new DC amp since then would be neat to clock them again sometime but its just more work,,, ha

 

[ssdave]

You don't have to weld it single pass. Bevel the edge, and do a root pass, clean the weld, and do a cover pass.

 

[welderjosh]

I doubt that little machine would get much more out of 035 than 030 and the smaller would really run so much better. I ran some of these with meters and test when I did one for Hobart, tested my Linc along side it. Its been a while, solid 030 c25 but you really had to fuss with it to wring out 5 more A with the bigger wire and the arc turned to shat just about the time a guy got there. I know it wasnt more than 10A for sure, didnt really help and not worth it as the smaller wire worked so much better thru the rest of the range and lots better on the low end.

This. Don't run .035 in that machine. .030 max.

 

[Jking24]

1/4 is definitely the upper limits but I've welded plenty with an older Lincoln 125 i agree with sberry the smaller wire is the way to go. They recommend Flux core for thick stuff with the smaller units as it runs hotter. I don't like the trade off/ mess of dealing with Flux core. I have welded 1/4"four bar brackets to rearend housings and truck frames with a Lincoln 125 .030 wire with gas. Key things were good power to the machine ie. Big cord or directly plugged into a 20 amp plug and pre heating the housing. Nothing crazy required all we had beck then was a map gas torch. As stated above multiple passes may be necessary. I would bevel the plate on one side do a root pass then lay a nice wide weave on the second. Basically if you know what your after you can get it done

 

[Jswain]

Agreed with most above and have done it before I upgraded to the 240v machine. .030 flux core wire, bevel it well, heating with a torch will definitely help and if you can weld both sides that will help even more & multipass welds. Also like mentioned plug into a 20amp circuit forget using any extension cords and only weld for 2mins out of 10 max. They won't be full penetration but they will be strong

Also you can setup to be welding uphill to get some more heat, stay away from downhill if possible