Welder question

[Neura]

Well I am thinking it is time for a new welder since my little 115V mig isn't big enough to do some things now. So onto the question,

230V Mig
AC/DC TIG with HF Start (then I can do stick as well)

and keep the little 115V mig around for the smaller stuff... need some input here as I am thinking about upgrading this weekend.

Garage is all ready wired for 230V for a welder so not worried about that.

(I have done arc/stick welding before but it was at least 15 years ago if not more so I would probably need some practice again). and I haven't welding with Oxy/Acet in at least 10 years either...

 

[pawscal]

I would go for a mig, i picked up a miller 210 on craigslist for 900$ thst was in great condition.

 

[Neura]

Possible that I can trade the 115V mig I have now and 2 or 3 hundred for a Lincoln Mig-Pak 180.

or I can go with the miller ac/dc setup in the attachments I can get that for $800 or trade for a running BBC. I have been trying to find a miller 210 or something but I haven't come across one for a good price yet.

 

[Neura]

this would be the other option in a tig setup....

Acklands Welder Model 150 A/C D/C HF
Stick/Tig Setup complete with 150 amp tig torch, Argon regulator, Ground Cable, and Stick Cable. Welder works well and can be tested, also has High Frequency setting for welding aluminum. Only reason for selling is that I bought a new welder and don't have the space to store this one.

 

[gorilla]

A good tig welder would be my choice. Try to get one with a water cooled torch. I recommend either Lincoln or Miller.

 

[Gary S]

I haven't found anything to big for my little 110v Lincoln MIG yet................but I don't repair road graders or anything like that.

 

[Neura]

well mine is a little mastercraft, but building a trailer tongue on a old chev van is more then what this can handle, 5x2x1/4" c channel.... need something a little bigger then what the small one can handle.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

The little welder might work....
If you replace the 6-guage ground lead with 4-guage, and upgrade the clamp to a 300 amp, you'll find the little welder will have a bit more "oomph".
If you use an extension cord, it should be 12 guage, and no longer than 25 feet.
Also, if you use flux-core, get some E71T-11 wire, it is better than E71T-GS for multi-pass.

 

[Neura]

I should have mentioned as well that this is the little mastercraft that accepts gas, so I have it running on a bottle of trimix and I was thinking .035 wire... just not sure if it would work... maybe like you said if I upgrade the ground lead and the clamp.. I could. It is made by Campbell Hausfeld and these are the specs from campbell on it

Input Power115 Volt - 20 Amp
Output Power70 Amps / DC
Duty Cycle20% @ 70 Amps
Wire Sizes.024", .030" & .035" on 4" or 8" Spools
Welds24 Gauge to 3/16" Steel

I could change out the lead for a 20A as well that wouldn't be a problem either... here are some pictures of it....

 

[NUTTSGT]

My Hobart 175 does me fine. Would I like to have TIG, yep, do I know how to use one, nope. I'd still buy one.

 

[LWW]

I currently have and use 3 welders, a Miller 175 MIG for when I need to take my welder with me, a Miller 210 MIG w/AL spool gun as my primary MIG and a Miller EconoTIG for A/C & D/C TIG work. I've used equivalent Lincoln, Hobart and a myriad of other junk.

Without question, this is the most useful, flexible and portable welder I've found:

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_211_autoset/

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=907422

I don't have this one yet, but it's next on my list and will ultimately replace my Miller 175.

 

[bigdav160]

I love my TIG! (Miller Dynasty 200)

When I need something quick and dirty where appearance doesn't matter, I'll pull out the MIG.

The TIG offers such great control (at the expense of speed). Consumables aren't too expensive and welding different metals is a definite plus.

If you can oxy/acet weld; TIG will be easy to learn.

 

[Brad1234]

I have had my Lincoln 175 Amp Tig for about 10 years & love it. A mig would sometimes be nice for larger work but I decided on the Tig so that I could do small intricate work if I need to. Tig welding takes some practice but once you get it you will like to do it.

 

[mikeyr]

I have not used my MIG since I got the TIG 6+ years ago, keep thinking I should sell the thing since I have not even plugged it in. That is how great TIG is, so I would go for TIG and not look back.

 

[sberry]

A tig I could do without, would be lost without a mig but welding isnt a hobby for me.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

Neura, after looking closely at the middle picture you posted, I would definitely replace that ground clamp with a regular 300-AMP type. They are ~ $7 at Princess Auto. Going up one size on the ground lead wouldn't hurt, either.
I bought one for mine, $2 at Tool Town, but haven't got the #4 wire yet.

 

[Phuckin' Jim]

Got around to replacing the lead and clamp today....
In this pic, you can see the clamp and lead I had(R), and what I replaced it with(L).