AggieDave 6 #1 December 12, 2003 Hey, I've got a welding question. I need to buy a Mig welder, but my budget is very very limited. Here's one I was looking at, what do you say/think? Clicky Feel free to post stuff in the $300 price range if you have a different brand/model you'd like to suggest. Can't afford Tig, rather have Mig then stick and as you know, my gas setup just isn't good for a lot of the welding I need to do..--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #2 December 12, 2003 Depends on what you are using it for. I own a decent sized metal fabrication and powder coating business. What materials are you welding? how often? typical wall thickness? I am sure I can recommend something. I've been in the biz for 15 years.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Perky77 0 #3 December 12, 2003 one word, Lincoln!!! "Sacrifice is a part of life. It is supposed to be. It's not something you regret . It's something to aspire to." Mitch Albom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DeNReN 0 #4 December 12, 2003 Im not familiar with that brand name...but looks to be your average light duty mig......I've always liked the miller welders myself...have one at our shop and has survived 7 years of brutal abuse sofar. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #5 December 12, 2003 Lincolns are nice.. we prefer Millers.. but it is because of the initial lag when you intitiate a weld on the lincoln.. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Layton 0 #6 December 12, 2003 you really need to get the shielding gas if you can.makes it a lot easier.we have a miller and it is really good.i havent used a stick so i know nothing of those.i do enjoy working with steel though.***if yoiu are going to be stupid you better be tough Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dropoutdave 0 #7 December 12, 2003 Does anyone else think that a girl who knows how to weld is sexy? The art sculpture kinda welding. And a girl who knows hows to use a socket set gets a few bonus points in my book. ------------------------------------------------------ May Contain Nut traces...... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ripper0289 0 #8 December 12, 2003 My first g/f in the Navy was a welder, she was also a ballerina. Yum. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
VectorBoy 0 #9 December 12, 2003 All of those budget machines are pretty much the same Dave. They are a simple transformer with a diode bridge to get the DC. Like someone else said flux core wire welding is junk, you will have to spring for the solinoid, regulator and bottle of Co2-argon. A system that gets you this total pachage cheaper is the way to go. And no matter what anyone says NONE of those machines do aluminum NONE! What kind of welding do you plan to do? Get the machine that suits that type not the budget machine. I do all types so I had to buy all kinds one wont do it all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #10 December 12, 2003 Ok, just basic fabrication with steel. For instance, my next project is a pull behind grill (think a large grill on wheels), so I'm basically going to weld out a 4"x2" tube steel frame and start from there (I guess I could post the entire plans I've drawn out, but I don't think that really matters)...basically the list of stuff that I want to build while I'm not in school this coming semester is all out of a combination of different tube steel sizes and some steel pipe (head-ache rack, new bumpers for the truck, etc).--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
akarunway 1 #11 December 12, 2003 Hobe Handler (Hobart) but it's around 600 bucks. CO2 for mild steel up to 1/4 inch or you can weld aluminum but it's tricky. Argon gas for that. I fit and weld pipe for a livingI hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost Than never to have loved at all. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
skybytch 273 #12 December 12, 2003 QuoteAnd a girl who knows hows to use a socket set gets a few bonus points in my book. How about a girl who not only knows how to use a socket set but actually owns one? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #13 December 12, 2003 ok.. so you are probably going to be welding like 14 or 16 gge. steel tubing and sheet. Maybe some thicker angle iron.. All on a project basis.. If possible, try to get a nice used wire feed on ebay would be my suggestion. The little home do-it-yourselfer welders tend to be a real pain. Hours just to get a single decent weld. A light industrial wire-feed mig welding machine like a Miller or Lincoln will get you through anything you'll ever do. Try ebay.. industrial equipment lasts forever. we have equipment we use every day that is from 5 - 55 years old.. It's amazing how toughand problem free that stuff is. Good luck and buy a good one. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #14 December 12, 2003 Another thing, the Mig I posted can be gas or gasless, I already have Argon and a regulator in my garage (gas torch/welding setup), so I could use it with gas shielded. Isn't that what everyone's bitching about is the flux-core wire? Correct me if I'm wrong, but for the stuff I'm going to be doing isn't 150amp plenty? (please correct me, basically I've never been formally trained how to weld, its just something I've picked up along the way. I've welded with gas (quite a bit), stick, mig and some tig, but have never been really taught. So you've got a redneck with a cause)--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #15 December 12, 2003 QuoteGood luck and buy a good one. Could you give me some examples of what I'm looking for? Models or specs?--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #16 December 12, 2003 QuoteHow about a girl who not only knows how to use a socket set but actually owns one? You've got a socket? I've got some nuts, we should get together to screw sometime. Tighten our bolts down real tight... --"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
b1jercat 0 #17 December 12, 2003 HI Dave, I'm going to agree with chop-chop on this one. What your looking at is a auto body/muffler type rig. I would be concerned about penetration issues on something I'd be pulling behind a truck. For what you want to do you need to find a deal on a light industrial machine. Find someone that spent a grand on a machine they bought to build trailers and bumpers and are looking to sell because they no longer use it. Buying used is usually ok with welding equipment, think auction. BTW flux core is mostly used on structural steel, prosity is really not an issue with those guys. Also any DC stick rig will run Tig and look a hell of a lot nicer too. Just my 2 cents. blue skies Jerry Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #18 December 12, 2003 I'd be a little leery of such a lightweight unit. The "four heat settings" seems to be like you'll have a bunch of problems with getting the voltage set just right. It can be very frustrating to produce good welds with mediocre equipment. Try to find a unit with continiously variable voltage, and that will run at least .035" wire. For general mild steel, use a mix of 75/25 argon/ CO2, or even 85/15. I prefer the 75/25. And for a regulator, you'll be looking for a flowmeter actually, vs. a pressure regulator used for torch work. I prefer Miller equipment myself. We have a Millermatic 250 here in the shop. Not really heavy-duty, but it'll do anything you'll require. Look for one on ebay. You won't go wrong. I haven't done much with Lincoln equipment since high school, and haven't used Hobart at all, so I can't offer an opinion there. I understand Lincoln does have some good stuff out there. Just avoid the "Joe Homowner" cheap stuff. You'll be glad you did. Flux core isn't a bad way to go, but you'll need to learn to watch your puddle very carefully to make sure your slag is washing out and you're getting good penetration. (Just like Stick welding.) Needless to say, but if you're building something to tow behind a truck, your welds need to be very sound lest they break and send a few hundred punds of steel into oncoming traffic. One thing I've noticed with MIG, I see alot of folks who can run a really nice looking bead, but have very little penetration so the weld isn't all that strong. Do a bunch of practice welds then bust'em up or cut them in cross-section, and see how they really look. "Rather have MIG than Stick - " - ahem - MIG welders are nothing more than an electric caulking gun. I had to learn to stick weld in all posistions before I was allowed to run MIG. Although MIG seems quite easy, it has many limitations. And as I mentioned before, it's easy to run beads that looks good but lack penetration. I, myself, prefer stick to MIG in alot of applications. One can take alot of pride in being able to weld stick and produce beads that look as nice as MIG welds. We have the Millermatic 250 here for MIG, a little Thunderbolt sputterbox for light stick jobs and portability, and a SWEEET Syncrowave 250 for TIG or stick (Water-cooled stinger, foot or hand current control, all the bells and whistles!), and 300 feet of cable for stick welding in some of the weird places I need to go. Plus a plasma cutter, torches, and a nice assortment of stock - One of these days I'll post a picture of the shop. Way long post - But I felt compelled to share!!! Good Luck, and let's see some pics of that grill when it's done!! Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #19 December 12, 2003 QuoteWe have the Millermatic 250 here for MIG, a little Thunderbolt sputterbox for light stick jobs and portability, and a SWEEET Syncrowave 250 for TIG or stick (Water-cooled stinger, foot or hand current control, all the bells and whistles!), and 300 feet of cable for stick welding in some of the weird places I need to go. Plus a plasma cutter, torches, and a nice assortment of stock - One of these days I'll post a picture of the shop. I hate you. Ah, some day...some day, just not while I'm in college. Ok everyone, thanks for the replies and informing my unknowledgable Mig ass.--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dumpster 0 #20 December 12, 2003 I'd love to add a Bridgeport mill and an engine lathe to the collection, too! Easy Does It Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Brains 2 #21 December 12, 2003 We have a smaller set-up that i will let you borrow for a semester if you want. 75/25 argon mix with flowmeter, varaible voltage and wire speed. Pretty much what you would need for what you are planning on working with. Let me know. Never look down on someone, unless they are going down on you. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
jlmiracle 7 #22 December 12, 2003 QuoteDoes anyone else think that a girl who knows how to weld is sexy? The art sculpture kinda welding. And a girl who knows hows to use a socket set gets a few bonus points in my book. I used to weld. I made the racks for for the back of 3-wheelers and trailer hitch thing for snowmobiles, have not do it in about 17 years. I can't read a blue print to save my life but I can weld.Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
chopchop 0 #23 December 12, 2003 what Dumpster said.. we also use Millermatic 250s.. great little production machines.. The thing about welders is the wrong one can make the job very tough.. buy good and used. chopchop gotta go... Plaything needs a spanking.. Lotsa Pictures Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Swoopyswoop 0 #24 December 12, 2003 AMEN PERK, seriously dave you should look at something maybe a little more beefy. My past experienced with 120 volt welders have not been good. Especially ones running inner shield wire instead of gas. Miller makes some nice 240 volt units that will go either way and so does lincoln. However, were not going to put you in the 300 dollar range. You can however pick up some pretty nice units "used" on ebay or locally at auctions. You wont believe me but I bought a miller synchrowave 350 at an auction for 550 bucks out the door. Thats about a 6 thousand dolar machine new. I have bought a bobcat for about the same price, several miller mig machines(rack mount) for next to nothing. Check out the papers around houston and bryan there are industrial auctions almost every weekend and it wont take much to get one reasonably that way. And dont forget about EBAY, they sell some stuff from time to time on there also. If you cant find anything soon give pop a call he has my number and I will give you a guys number to call in sugarland. He wheels and deals in that kinda stuff all the time. Good luck and happy hunting "when I die, I want to go like my grandfather while im sleeping, not like the passengers riding in the car with me Swoopster A.S.S. #6 Future T.S.S holder Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Perky77 0 #25 December 12, 2003 I just had to post that to rub in the fact that they are out of Dave's price range, he knows my opinion of buying cheap tools........you end up buying twice. Not that Miller isn't a good welding machine. I was just picking on Dave because Lincolns are expensive because they are popular. "Sacrifice is a part of life. It is supposed to be. It's not something you regret . It's something to aspire to." Mitch Albom Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
