Trying to decide on MIG welder...

[Luckydevil]

I would like to learn how to weld and I plan on buying a MIG welder to start some small projects. I don't need anything too crazy, so I plan on spending less than $300 for the setup.

I've been looking at this one from Harbor Freight... http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=06271

Anyone have any recommendations?

Thanks.

 

[BetterDays]

My buddy just bought one from Home Depot.. it was the best that you can get on a 110 line.

Nice welder, smooth operation, etc.

Lincoln Electric...

The only issue with Harbor Freight is that ~some~most~ of their stuff is reconditioned.. On a purchase like this, I think new from HD, Lowe's, etc., may be a wiser investment..

(works great on welding in panels to smooth the engine bay... next is the rollbar...)

 

[kgwld1]

Lucky, I have a Lincoln sp 135 + and I think it would be perfect for you. I cannot stress enough to get a name brand (Hobart,Lincoln,Miller) because if you have problems they will stand behind the product. Also take into consideration the cost of the bottle they can get the price up. These that I have mentioned can tackle a ton of small projects. If you have any questions let me know,. I have got alot of experience with quite a few diffrent welders.




Kevin

 

[kgwld1]

Sorry wrong pic. It's the red one on the right.


Kevin

 

[BetterDays]

I ~think~ that is what my buddy has...

GREAT WELDER!!!!

 

[kgwld1]

The 110v doesn't have enough for a roll bar. The 135 is great for sheet metal and lighter gauge things. The sp 175 might have enough this is what made me buy my first tig (180 sd).



Kevin

 

[Luckydevil]

Thanks guys. Why does it seem like all the people on tv (Jesse, OCC, Boyds) stick weld all of the time? How hard is stick welding to pick up opposed to MIG welding?

 

[kgwld1]

They tig weld, thats what the blue welders are. It's alot more involved. I think mig welding would be a great place for you to start. I learned rather quickly with the mig. I was a pipe fitterand soon only used the tig.



Kevin

 

[jstbecauz]

Luke, if you spend a couple more bucks you can get a welder that can do both. I have a 110 welder that I can weld 5/16" steel in a single pass. It also has the ability to add on an aluminum spool gun.

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

I would sign up for welding 101 at your local community college. You will be taught the basics of PUDDLE CONTROL using oxy-fuel and stick welding. Once you have mastered the basics you can move on to MIG and TIG. Puddle Control is where its at.

You will be exposed to a variety of machines in the correct setting with an experienced welder to guide you thru beginner mistakes.


IF you do decide to go with a 110V Mig, ENSURE it is on a DEDICATED power supply, these little units are sensitive to voltage input

 

[jstbecauz]

That is a good idea, if you can stick weld then you can mig weld. Luke, if you want to come by on Saturdays and mess around with my stick welder to get the hang of it you are welcome as always. I very rarely use the stick welder anymore unless I am rebuilding a frame or rear end or something really heavy like that. Come on up and practice.

 

[BetterDays]

Based on what I have seen, we can weld in the cage with the MIG....
I am going to have the check the welder, specs of the cage, etc., and see what can be done....

 

[kgwld1]

The problem will be not a enough penetration with the cage. Remeber you cannot grind on a cage for a root pass ,you may back fill ( argon) only. If it is to be certified thru (NHRA or Ihra) it won't fly. You can check out there rule books to find out more.
Also try the Millermotorsport's forum ASK ANDY section. There is alot of good advice here. The 110 welders all list there max penetration rating and almost always is with the flux core mig not using gas to shield with.
Kevin

 

[BetterDays]

So would flux core work then???

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

No~!

 

[kgwld1]

Is the car being built for a specific class or organization? If so flux cannot be used if it just for a dune buggy etc. you might be able to get away with it. Try welding a test piece cut it apart and see how it penetrates. Let me know how it goes.


Kevin

 

[BetterDays]

Thanks for the help...

car is being set up for dragracing (planning on 10's)

 

[BetterDays]

The welder is a 3200HD

http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=7112

Welds up to 5/16" thick...???...

 

[rjspitz]

I looked at purchasing the same welder. But after a bunch of research I decided on the Hobart Handler 180. At $600 it wasn't cheap, and you'll need to run 240V in the garage. But, it came with every thing you need to weld except the gas tank. And since Miller and Hobart are the same welders, I bought a Miller Spool Gun form Sears for $150 (on sale). Freak'n great for aluminum.
There is a lot more flexibility when you buy a welder with a name brand. You also get great tech service. Just try to find Chicago Electric on the internet. Hobart has a forum to ask questions, and Miller has everthing a beginner needs to know about welding in the FAQ.

www.weldingweb.com is a good resource.

 

[imported_banzaitoyota]

wedldinweb is a 17 year old kid with no real world experience. Come over to www.shopfloortalk.com .

 

[rjspitz]

wedldinweb is a 17 year old kid with no real world experience. Come over to www.shopfloortalk.com .

Oh yeah, forgot about that one. And as stated above, www.millermotorsports.com.

bob

 

[Luckydevil]

Greg- I'll probably take you up on practicing welding at your place next saturday if that is okay with you.



I bought the Welder's Handbook and have been reading it. It looks like I might be happier with a stick welder than a MIG welder. I got a couple more questions for you guys though...


From what the book says it seems that MIG welding produces a lot of slag and shoots stuff everywhere. Does stick welding produce much less slag?

The book bashed on MIG welding pretty bad and made it seem like the worst option. One of the things brought up was that you cannot see the puddle very well while MIG welding. Does stick welding have the same problem?

This is the stick welder I am looking at...
http://www.mylincolnelectric.com/Catalog/equipmentdatasheet.asp?p=2492#disclaimer

 

[dsprint2000]

Yo Devil.....

Before buying a new stick welder, try pawn shops. They are a dime a dozen and much cheaper than new.

David

 

[jstbecauz]

Not necessarily the case. Come on in and try them. Are you talking about this Saturday or next?

 

[Luckydevil]

Greg- next saturday. Not 100%, but let me know if that is good for you. I'll do my best to stay out of your way.

 

[stioc]

Actually the stick welder will produce more slag.

MIG welding is the easiest to learn and produces very good results. Its by far the most common welding done out there. I'm not an expert but I picked up a Millermatic 175 last year and I couldn't be happier - well OK a TIG would be nice but only in addition to the MIG. With the correct shielding gas (I use C25) and proper technique you can produce very good results in very little time and minimal slag. Check-out the Hobart welding talk forum...its the best one I found out there.

TIG is even better because you can do aluminum (you can with MIG too, depending on the welder but will need a spool gun) but requires quite a bit of learning.

Besides MIG or TIG the only other thing you may want to look into is gas or oxy-acytelene welding. Its cheap, versatile and produces fairly good results.

As for the welder, I highly recommend getting a good brand, its one of those things that you probably won't buy again for a long time but will use quite often once you realize the usefulness of them. I recommend Miller, Hobart or Lincoln - in that order

Goodluck

 

[bdaz442]

I just received my new Lincoln Pro mig 175.
Its a nice welder. 230 Volt , and will weld just about everything that a amature may want to do at home.
$ 510.00 delivered to my front door. Just do a little shopping.