Welding: I ain't quitting my day job.

McRat

Diesel Hotrodder
Aug 2, 2006
11,249
26
38
64
Norco CA
www.mcratracing.com
I bought an El Cheapo MIG welder from Home Depot in case of emergencies.

Well, I finally started using it this weekend.

Things I learned:

  • Shorts and welding don't mix.
  • You should actually join both pieces of metal together.
  • Without the ground hooked up, it doesn't weld much.
  • Without the gas on, it welds even worse than normal.
  • Stuff gets hot. And STAYS hot.
  • Don't hold down the trigger when grabbing the handle.

Well, it's ugly (understatement) but the welds seems to be holding up. I used to stick weld about 30 years ago, and seemed to have forgotten everything and then some. I did get an Automatic helmet, which is pretty cool.

The welder I got is a Lincoln 3200HD 110v. It can use .025", .030", and .035" wire. It is DC only, with 4 power levels and variable wire feed rate. I think it's 90 amps peak IIRC. I'm currently using argon as a shielding gas, but perhaps CO2 would have been a wiser choice. It did work well on .060" thick tubing with the .025" solid wire.

I can use "flux" wire (.035") and run it without the gas, but I haven't tried it yet. I haven't tried aluminum welding yet either, but will give it a shot sometime.
 

duratothemax

<--- slippery roads
Aug 28, 2006
7,139
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Wyoming
its fun and very useful. I taught myself stick longgg before I tried mig. I wish I had learned mig years ago. For the money IMO id rather buy a big good-quality used machine than a smaller new machine..

I bought a lincoln tombstone new years ago, and finally decided to go mig so I found a nice big used lincoln Idealarc SP255 for 650$, with everything included and a new huge spool of wire. I love it because it does all the guesswork for you as far as setting wire speed and voltage, and it welds beautifully IMO.

oh ya Pat, lets see some pics!! :D

IMG_0144Large.jpg

IMG_0154Large.jpg
 

the4wheeler

--->(Something Funny)<---
May 4, 2008
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Ventura County SoCal
The flux wire stinks. Get some anti spatter dip and the key is a good clean surface(s) your welding.


exactly and dont be afraid to turn up the heat. To git a good weld outa 110 iv always had to crank it up ,

try and always use it directly plugged in to the wall or a 6000watt+ gen. they dont like extension cords even the thicker gauge cords sometime will mess with the power output.

oh and youll be fine runing CO2 or gold gas (mix) save the argon for the TIG
 
Jun 28, 2007
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NE Pa
I haven't tried aluminum welding yet either, but will give it a shot sometime.

Don't bother unless you have a large machine and either a spool gun or a push pull gun.

MIGs are good for tacking or an emergency fix but anything automotive should either be TIGed or stuck. Only time I stick weld on a car or truck is to the frame.;)


on edit: dont forget that MIG welding should be done forehand (the gun pointing in the direction of travel)
 
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fordt

Think Done Deals
Jan 3, 2007
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Vero Beach, FL.
www.abcamping.com
I have a Miller Bobcat 225G+ w/ Onan 16. I also have a Miller TIG box off of it, works well. I am getting ready to run down and purchase a Miller 252 or 212 (have not made up my mind) and hopefully by winter a nice plasma. I'd like a Miller 1000, but not sure how many time I cut more than 1/2".

Sled Stops I built saturday
P1010075.JPG
 

duratothemax

<--- slippery roads
Aug 28, 2006
7,139
10
0
Wyoming
Craigs list is your friend. :D

I dont know why lincoln stopped making that machine, like I said it welds beautifully and all of the computerized features and goodies on it make it dirt simple to use. Things like wire speed ramp-up (where when you start welding, it feeds slowly for a second so the arc starts nicely, then speeds up), automatic pulse timer, press a button and it compensates for different gasses, etc... I havent even figured out half the stuff it can do. If any of you guys are looking for a solid mig welder (250 amps) and see one of these, grab it. I think they stopped making it in the late 90's?? :(

ben
 

RPM Motorsports

smokinum
May 13, 2008
3,271
10
38
Central Valley Ca.
I prefer to tig myself. about 95% of all welding I do is with my tig. I've got a Thermal Arc Tig, and a Miller 225. It takes time to learn both and they can be tricky to remember if you have not welded daily.
 
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Tacojedbob7

<====Ron Jeremy
Nov 25, 2007
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0
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I prefer to tig myself. about 95% of all welding I do is with my tig. I've got a Thermal Arc Tig, and a Miller 225. It takes time to learn both and they can be tricky to remember if you have not welded daily.

man you really need to practice more, those beads look like bird sh*t:D...but in all seriously very impressive.

I personally am a mig man: clean, point and weld. Ben and I discovered the Idealarc up at our schools shop, couldnt believe how easy it was to use. Forget using a manual dials for speed and heat
 
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