MOST VERSITAL SHOP WELDER ?????

[grumpyvette]

welding basics

welder= machine
weldor= technician

wel·dor : a person whose work is welding
welding rods usually 36" long so 37" pipe with one end glued is not a bad idea

most of us are consistently on fairly limited budgets and that's always a real P.I.T,A,
but cheaper equipment that won't do the job is totally wasted money
because the better quality welders DO make welding easier and they do have additional features.
every once in a while I get some spare cash and it usually goes into new tools.
what I'm trying to say, here is that
you'll rarely regret buying better quality tools and in many cases you'll try them,
out and wonder why you struggled so long with the old cheap crap after buying them.

I constantly got crap about that difference in spelling while I was an mechanical engineer in college and learning to weld in classes my instructor (in his 70s at the time , looked at us "Kids" in our 20s) and also constantly, stated that even monkey's could be trained to MIG weld so there were some possible potential for us "ENGINEERING STUDENTS" to learn the basic skills...at the time I failed to see the humor but now that I,m 66 I have a different out look and smile thinking about it

first Id like to say Im not an EXPERT at welding but have done quite a bit over the years
now just to answer some basic questions, heres some info from a different site you might want to know!

I'll try to cover some of the basics for you as best as I can explain them.
http://www.alpharubicon.com/elect/tigbasic1.htm

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/tig ... ideos.html

TIG - (Tungsten Inert Gas Welding) basically resemble oxy-acetylene welding (torch) but you use a controllable electric arc as the flame/head source, ans add the weld wire, or rod separate from the arc

This process is the toughest to learn. The electrode is composed of Tungsten, and a current is flowed through it controlled by either a foot pedal, a hand switch, or a fixed current on the machine itself. I am learning TIG using a foot pedal, the more you press down on the metal, the more amps you get. Once you get enough current flowing to get an appropriate sized weld pool, you start dabbing a filler metal into the puddle as you move the electrode further down the work piece. TIG allows you a great amount of control because you regulate how much current the electrode gets and how much filler metal the weld pool gets. This process is very slow compared to the other types though.

MIG - (Metal Inert Gas) mig is basically a wire thats fed constantly into the weld area that got current running thru it, it melts both the metal and itself as its consumed/melted by the arc

heres a few tips
If you have a hard time judging MIG wire diameter or sheet metal gauges, they make a tool for that little issue in lack of judgmental skills
even the $20 import version is accurate enough for that use!

this link might be useful
http://www.engineersedge.com/gauge.htm

http://www.harborfreight.com/6-inch-dial-caliper-66541.html

http://www.autobody101.com/articles/article.php?title=Mig+Welding

MIG is the easiest process of welding. A feeding gun is used to feed a spool of filler metal wire into the weld pool. Current is usually switched on and off by means of a trigger on the gun. Amps are usually controlled by a dial on the MIG machine itself, meaning that you cannot adjust current in the middle of welding. Though, with some machine you are able to get a foot pedal to control Amps while welding.

Arc Welding
these are the cheaper buzz box welders we all tend to start with, they use an arc thru the weld rod some what similar to mig but without the gas shielding, they have flux on most rods to help the weld quality[/n]

I purchased a Lincoln engine driven generator/ arc welder, fully anticipating adding a TIG adapter kit at some point
https://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-...roducttype=gt&detail=K1783-9(LincolnElectric)

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/...MI_t-qjfTD5AIVmZOzCh1GswtsEAYYAyABEgKc8_D_BwE


http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...iven-welder-has-a-down-side.11174/#post-50103

Arc welding is mostly used in industrial applications. An electrode is used to strike an arc, the electrode then melts away to deposit metal into the weld pool. The electrode is coated with a variety of different materials which are used to help keep the weld pool from being contaminated.

TIG and non-flux-cored MIG both use a variety of different shielding gases to help keep the weld pool from being contaminated depending on what metal is being welding.

http://www.stockcarracing.com/techarticles/82101/

https://www.bestreviewslist.com/best-mig-welder/

http://www.ytmag.com/articles/artint153.htm

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/tools/2001/3/welding_basics/

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=3284

https://weldingmachinereviews.com/

http://www.hobartbrothers.com/aboutus/downloads/

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/

BTW, welding without the correct helmet is stupid, protect your EYE-SIGHT

https://weldinghelmethub.com/

http://www.thetoolsource.com/thetoolsource/scripts/prodView.asp?idproduct=26

http://www.maxtool.com/cgi-bin/dbse...S,dbsort=retail,ReturnMax=25,DB_CAT2=Whelmets

http://www.weldingdepot.com/?source=overture

http://store.weldingdepot.com/cgi/weldingdepot/scan/fi=products/st=db/sp=results/co=1/sf=category/se=Welding Helmets - Auto/op=eq/nu=0/bs=1/ml=15/tf=description/to=x/se=1/sf=inactive/op=ne/sf=tax_category/se=1/op=eq/va=banner_text=/va=banner_image=.html

http://www.brwelder.com/indexTemplate.cfm

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1669

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1594

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1958

I wish I had a bench this nice and as soon as funds allow I WILL GET ONE
I purchased a 30 year old used TIG welder , water cooled torch and foot petal assembly ,myself ,and while its hardly state of the art it does weld well. TIG is far more controllable as you can control arc heat, feed rates,on both the arc and fill rod , each separately , and can go back over welds and re-heat without adding, or adding fill rod all you want, so IM hardly going to suggest you need the newest version to get decent tig welds, while its slower its also far more flexible in what you can do or redo, now having used some of the newer TIG welders I will say they have advantages,you don,t necessarily need the latest and best to weld, keep in mind older equipment is not necessarily bad or obsolete, it just might not have the latest features
kind of like dating a 40 year old girl,when your both out looking to have a good time, she might not look as nice as a 19 year old but she has experience, style and probably can get the job done really well just the same

before anyone buys any welder , new or used,
you should call and talk too both the manufactures reps, the TECH and sales and repair dept. guys,
and find someone local thats owned and used one for at least several months,
Ideally you'll want to get a local dealer to point out the welders strong vs weak points,
and perhaps let you either try one out or point you to a local shop,
that will be willing to let you try a few welds and show you how too use the welder for a few buck$
slipping some guy $50 -$60 bucks for 20-30 minutes instruction on a similar machine,
before you buy one,
is going to be a great financial investment, and it could save you from making the wrong decision.
if the TIG welder your looking at does not have AC/DC and pulse frequency, options,
and rated at at least 180 amps, its not going to be ideal for welding aluminum.


HERES THE MIG I PURCHASED
MILLER 252
http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... gory_Code=
FOR MY SHOP, (IT COST $2200) IT HAS AN OPTIONAL KIT THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO MIG ALUMINUM< BUT ITS RATHER EXPENSIVE
(about $1100)
http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... ode=130831
but its a TOP QUALITY MIG THAT WILL HANDLE 95% OF AUTOMOTIVE WELDING IF YOU GET THE OPTIONAL KIT

just some info
THE MILLER WELDERS that REQUIRE a 230 volt feed have proven to be easier to use in my opinion than some of the cheaper brands,(YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR) you can OCCASIONALLY GET GOOD DEALS ON E-bay on NEW and used welders, stick with the better name brands, accessories like wire feed guns and repairs are very difficult to get for some off brands. buy a welder that rated at at least 50% duty cycle or you could be constantly having it overheat on large jobs, or not have the power to do the larger jobs
BTW if your looking for a light duty mig that will weld up to 3/16" millers got this on sale
and it will do about 80% of the automotive welding that most guys get into,
but keep in mind, when you purchase a MIG welder you still need a shield gas tank ,gauges , mig wire, a face shield etc, with any welder so that price of the welder alone is not all inclusive
http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=WD&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=907692
120 volt feed $549

I know a couple guys who bought these lincoln mig welders and they find they have zero complaints, but then , keep in mind I find that, its almost universal, that unless you do a good bit of welding on a nearly constant basis, with several different welders, and know what your looking at when the welds are done, youll tend to think darn near any welder you own is doing a decent job regardless of reality, simply because youve got little to use as a comparison.
http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/m...Code=WD&Product_Code=K2473-2&Category_Code=MW
230 volt feed $878

yes I admit Im a tool junky but after using a buddies 252 miller I saved up for over a year to get one, yes I rarely use it to near its max capacity but keep in mind duty cycle limitations are nearly something you can ignore on most welding
http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/m..._Code=WD&Product_Code=907321&Category_Code=MW
230 volt feed $2450

http://www.autobody101.com/articles/art ... %20Welding

http://www.hobartwelders.com/weldtalk/

CHOOSING THE CORRECT WELDER

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/helpmechoose/

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/hel ... guide.html

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledg ... eldschool/

http://weldingdesign.com/equipment-auto ... lder-0209/

viewtopic.php?f=27&t=4384&p=11518&hilit=work+bench#p11518

http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/index.htm

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 10001_-1_5

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=5313

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 1_10001_-1

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavist ... 0Guide.pdf

 

[grumpyvette]

As always think thru your goals vs the cost, it would make very little sense to add optional add ons to a welder to have access to for an example a tig capability on the welder below if the upgrade if it cost more or even close to what a second welder cost
I can,t see how any serious hot rod guy can operate without at least one decent welder, Ive got 4 , a oxy/acetylene torch, a mig, welder a tig welder and an ARC welder and each has its own unique area where it excels
but a decent TIG and a gas TORCH could do probably 95% of the welds and just a good a mig could do easily 80%
ID strongly suggest you find a local trade school that has a 6-8 week welding class as its WELL worth the time and effort as youll learn a great deal and get a good feel for what type of welders best suit your needs, it sure beats spending $600-$4500 on a welder and then finding out you could have a better welder that better suited their needs and spent less to get it. or found the welder you thought was a bargain is a total piece of S$%%^^ like many of my freinds found out

its fully possible to weld aluminum with some of the larger amp rated MIG welders, or convert some arc welders to tig

but the cost to modify those existing mig or arc welders with the required accessory kits now exceed the cost of a few of the available new tig welders in some cases.
obviously youll want to compare feature amp ratings and work/time
https://www.eastwood.com/tig200acdc...MI2fuG1MaH2QIVGbXACh3zAwl5EAQYAyABEgLtUfD_BwE

https://www.millerwelds.com/accesso...product-options-title=spoolmatic-30-ft-130831

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-252-mig-welder-m00218

both lincoln and miller have kits available to convert the mig welders to either weld aluminum as a mig welder or convert existing arc welders to tig welding

[/img]
several of my friends own this miller 212 mig welder and give it rave reviews
https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-212-auto-set-mig-welder-m00456

[/img]

I bought this miller 252, mig several years ago,
and so far its performed well on everything I've attempted to use it on,
yes I think we all wish quality welders cost less,but you tend to get what you pay for in tool quality.
and it should be obvious that you'll need too read the manual and practice a bit.
before you get good results and loading the mig welder with quality wire

and using the correct shield gas is mandatory, and yes there,s adjustments on the welder wire feed and it helps to experiment a bit,
and it should be obvious that the wire must be maintained rust free so spraying it with a bit of wd 40 might be a good idea ,
and certainly covering the welder and keeping it stored in a well ventilated and dry place when not in use is mandatory.

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-252-mig-welder-m00218
I don,t know anyone whose purchased a better quality lincoln or miller mig welder rated at 200 amps or higher that regrets spending the cash required to do so later on,
but I,ve heard a good many people who bought much less expensive mig welder,
who deeply regret not waiting and spending a bit more on a better welder.
good option if you can afford too do so.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200383272_200383272?cm_mmc=Bing-pla&utm_source=Bing_PLA&utm_medium=Welding > Engine Drive Welding&utm_campaign=Lincoln Electric&utm_content=164593

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200622186_200622186

ENGINE DRIVEN ARC WELDER/ generator
http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... de=K2382-4

TIG OPTIONS
http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... de=K2535-2

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... ode=907460

http://www.usaweld.com/ProductDetails.a ... 70221-12.5

mig options

read this thread

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=9745&p=36661#p36661

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... de=K2689-1

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... ode=907312

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... ode=907422

http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-Inver ... 12.5-3.htm
HTP MAKES A VERY GOOD TIG WELDER AND TECH SUPPORTS GOOD ALSO

http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/tig201.html


at some point the cost of adding the options vs just buying the correct second welder needs to be carefully considered, but depending on your goals its sometimes a very useful option to add an upgrade kit to a welder

Always think thru your goals when you purchase equipment,the rough rule as a guide is youll need about one amp per .001 inch of material thickness to well aluminum effectively, IE youll need about 250 amps to weld 1/4" thick aluminum, now that is based on the idea of near constant use, naturally you can weld thicker material if youll allow less than a 70%-100% duty cycle, and as a general rule a 250 amp rated machine will operate at 70%-100% duty cycle at significantly reduced amps (lets say 180 amps as a guess) from its rated 250 amp max.

heres my mig

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2 ... ode=907321

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=157&p=891#p891

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=72

http://www.weldfabulous.com/Welders/c195588/

READ THESE RELATED THREADS

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1283

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1958

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=157

TIPS
http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/


viewtopic.php?f=61&t=9263&p=33437#p33437

good advice on learning to TIG WELD ,posted in different thread
"Take a welding class at the local community college, and learn to TIG before you spend the money. Just like any other machine tool, the welding machine is only about half the cost of getting setup to weld.

You'll need:

TIG power supply (600$-60,000$)
Foot Pedal (100$ and up)
TIG torch (15$-150$ bodies, 5$ handles, 40-50$ cabling)
Torch parts (3$ collet bodies, 1$ collets, insulators, 2$ cups, backcaps)
Tungstens (10packs usually 20-30$)
Gas bottle (Mine is 50$/year lease, plus 36$ for Argon fill, I fill about every two weeks)
Gloves (12$/pr)
Filler rod (aluminum 5.60/lb, steel 4.30/lb, stainless 8.90/lb current and local)

Figure in if you are starting from scratch, that you'll go through two packs of tungsten, 40 collets, 8 cups, a pair of gloves, 30lbs of steel rod, and probably 8 tank fills on a Q size tank, before you are able to produce a consistent, clean, saleable weld.

Now, if you take the TIG class, then you get to pay the 400$ and burn through as much in the way of supplies as you want...get as good as you want...and THEN spend the big money on equipment, after you've already spent someone else's money on materials learning. "

 

[grumpyvette]

If you look around at local welding supply shops and local welding shops you will on occasion see great deals on used welders that get traded in or swapped on upgrades, a close examination will usually give you some idea as to its condition and the local dealer in that brand can give you an approximate age with its serial number and model, some welders have been used hard and constantly, but a surprising number spend a great deal of time just sitting unused in shops, I know of several shops that have several welders and most of the works being done with one or at most two welder, its not at all rare to find high amp rated mig or tig welders that have had little real use.
If your thinking of buying a shop welder Id strongly suggest a 220 volt 180-210 amp mig, or 220 volt 200-270 amp TIG will do about 90% of what most guys will ever do, if you get a MIG with a spool gun that can do aluminum, you have a rather versatile welder, but a good TIG is almost unbeatable in the versatility race, its a bit slower but it will weld almost anything, in skilled hands.
Ive purchased several used welders, and had zero problems, but I always do a few test welds before I buy, one,If you can,t do that your best off avoiding the welder. and keep in mind ,that the main things you need to do, in deciding on a welder is making sure it meets your needs and that you have the electrical capacity to run it, stick to recently built name brands so you can get parts, anything over about 10 years old is usually hard to get parts for.
and stick to single phase 110volt or 220 volt welders as most shops don,t have three phase power
most of us are consistently on fairly limited budgets and thats a real P.I.T,A, because the better quality welders DO make welding easier and they do have additional features.
every once in awhile I get some spare cash and it usually goes into new tools.
what I,m trying to say, here is that youll rarely regret buying better quality tools and in many cases youll try them, out and wonder why you struggled so long with the old cheap crap after buying them.
CHOOSING THE CORRECT WELDER

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/helpmechoose/

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/hel ... guide.html

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledg ... eldschool/

viewtopic.php?f=28&t=5313

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 10001_-1_5

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 1_10001_-1

http://www.weldfabulous.com/Welders/c195588/

youll gain a great deal of experience and skill with the welder as you practice,
and youll eventually find a die grinder and carbide cut-off wheel handy for removing ,
the minor welds in that progress youll have made.


https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-high-speed-air-cut-off-tool-60243.html

https://www.harborfreight.com/3-in-...el-10-pc-61180.html?_br_psugg_q=cut+off+wheel

the last couple guys I know who bought one said they were several hundred dollars less than a comparable miller or lincon TIG, and had a bit better features for the money.
Call us at 800-USA-WELD (800-872-9353) for more information or to place an order.
THE PREVIOUS 201 IS NOW DISCONTINUED
its been replaced with an upgraded 221 TIG $3520 THIS INCLUDES THE LIQUID COOLED TORCH AND TORCH'S COOLANT FLUID PUMP
http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-Inver ... 12.5-3.htm
WATCH VIDEO s

REMEMBER the LIQUID COOLED TORCH AND COOLANT PUMP PURCHASED SEPARATELY ,GENERALLY ADDS $1200-$1500 to a TIG WELDER and its a VERY GOOD OPTION TO HAVE

COMPARE TO MILLER 210 $3520 KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A AIR COOLED TIG < YOU WOULD NEED TO UPGRADE TO A WET TORCH AND COOLANT PUMPMaxstar 200 DX: Complete Pkg w/Foot Control (Water Cooled)
Maxstar 200 DX power source
Quick Reference Guide: English | Spanish
8 ft (2.4 m) primary cord
2-Wheel trolley cart (300480)
Coolmate™ 1 cooler 120 VAC (300360)
1 Gallon coolant (043810)
RFCS-14HD foot control (194744)
25 ft (7.6 m) Weldcraft® WP20 water cooled torch (300185)
Torch accessory kit with tungsten includes:
- Shielding cups
- Collets-1/16, 3/32, 1/8
- Collet bodies-1/16, 3/32, 1/8
- 2% Cerium tungsten-1/16, 3/32, 1/8
15 ft (4.6 m) Work lead with clamp and Dinse connector
Gas hose
Smith Regulator/flowmeter
Torch cable cover
Setup DVD $4,429.00

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... Code=m-tig

COMPARE TO LINCOLN 225 $2525 KEEP IN MIND THIS IS A AIR COOLED TIG < YOU WOULD NEED TO UPGRADE TO A WET TORCH AND COOLANT PUMP
http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... Code=l-tig

 

[grumpyvette]

http://www.usaweld.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=25

I have not seen one yet in person but a combo , MIG/TIG/ARC welder IF its well designed has some intriguing potential, and HTP is known for building a decent quality welder, I know several guys with HTP tig welders and everyone happy with those.

STEVE POSTED THIS BIT OF INFO
"
It only welds in DCEN (Direct Current Electrode Negative) which is cool because most of your welding will be DCEN. However, don’t expect great results on aluminum which is best welded in A/C current mode.

I have a TIG and unless I am welding aluminum or stainless I will reach for my MIG welder first. I think you would be better off buying a good MIG, master that and then decide if you even need a TIG. I like having the option of the TIG but don’t really need it for the car but I have come across situations where it was the only option to restore an otherwise non-reproduction part.

If you can afford 1,200.00 for a welder, buy a GOOD MIG and then if you want a TIG go get a good one with A/C, balance and pulse.

Steve"

 

[grumpyvette]

the answer to which welder you'll want depends on what your intended use for the welder is, most guys understandably want to get into welding as cheaply as they can, and they see a 220volt 230 amp arc welder for less than $400 and think thats a great idea, but you mention auto body work, that generally involves thin sheet steel and an ARC welder like your talking about is a rather poor choice for that, that welder is fine for welding up car trailers or brackets on rear differentials or most things made from 3/16-3/8" steel but it will be a P.I.T.A, on thin 24-20 gauge sheet steel fenders and doors etc. compared to a decent MIG or TIG
Id suggest you take the class BEFORE you buy a welder
and if its body work your intending to do a small MIG or TIG is a far better choice

read thru these

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=72


http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1669

since your looking for a basically do everything auto body and frame welder, Id suggest this, as a great choice


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

if your ONLY doing sheet metal body work and on a limited budget

http://www.welders-direct.com/merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=WD&Product_Code=907335

btw
if you check your local bargain trader and Craig,s list or EBAY theres a good chance you can find a used miller,Lincoln or HTP TIG WELDER that would do an even better job that would normally cost several thousand dollar$ for a similar cash out lay
something like these used TIGS can be less than 1/2 price and a screaming deal, keep in mind a decent TIG can also do aluminum
just stick to name brands LINCOLN,MILLER,HTP and do the research to verify its still got parts availability (LESS THAN 10 years old usually)


its a great idea to take a welding class before buying a welder
pay attention when they start talking and TIG welding,water cooled vs air cooled,torches, shield gas,,ceramic gas shields,selection,electrode selection,




and MIG welding about shield gas,wire size,,wire speeds, etc. because those will become important to your results




http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=530

http://forum.grumpysperformance.com/viewtopic.php?f=60&t=72


a good quality MIG will work ok,on thin body panels
BUT a good quality TIG is even better!
giving better heat control and better weld quality

I can,t see how you can get by without at least one decent welder in your shop,
Ive got 4 welders, arc,mig,tig,and a gas torch, but I could easily get by with just both a good 300 amp TIG and an OXY-ACETYLENE welders, the migs faster and easier but not as versatile in my opinion, the arc welders fine for frames and heavy steel but its not much good on the delicate things


look around your area for a deal with a complete used 250-300 amp tig system like this with water cooled torch,pump,welder and your thousand$ ahead of buying new in come cases

BTW here is an area where you need to be aware of what your buying, and verify the tools capacity vs price, and not just compare similar product names, snap-ons really good at doing this type of marketing.
example
heres snap-ons 140 MIG $2584
https://store.snapon.com/Snap-on-174-115-Volt-MIG-Welders-140A-Workhorse-MIG-Welder-P737938.aspx
heres MILLERS similar AMP rated 140 MIG $795
http://store.cyberweld.com/mi140migwe90.html

look at the prices and capacity's, youll find the miller MIGS totally out classed, but then you would expect that for three times the price

if your going to spend near $2500 , millers has a decent machine at that price level that totally out classed the SNAP-ON MIG in my opinion
http://store.cyberweld.com/mil251witmet.html

CHOOSING THE CORRECT WELDER

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/helpmechoose/

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/hel ... guide.html

http://www.lincolnelectric.com/knowledg ... eldschool/

http://weldingdesign.com/equipment-auto ... lder-0209/

http://www.htpweld.com/products/tig_welders/index.htm

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 10001_-1_5

http://www.chpower.com/webapp/wcs/store ... 1_10001_-1

http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billavist ... 0Guide.pdf

Welding Rod Sizes, Amperage & Metal Thickness Chart | Kings of Welding

See our chart and guide on how to select the right welding rod size diameter and amperage depending on metal thickness and other variables.

www.kingsofwelding.com

 

[grumpyvette]

duty cycle on welder.

I recently visited a local friends shop where he was having problems with his recently purchased , a $289 HF 180 amp mig/flux welder.
ALL WELDERS REGARDLESS OF BRAND,or COST HAVE A DUTY CYCLE
a MIG welder basically works by using electrical resistance to heat and melt metal, this also causes the welder itself to heat up, the higher the AMP setting the more heat is generated,the and the faster the heat builds the longer it needs to cool between cycles
now let me assure you I know what it is to be low on funds! and without doubt the low price on those welders looks attractive
but its rarely a good idea to buy a cheap welder,and theres a REASON why the better welders cost a good deal more than the cheap imports, now there are jobs that the less expensive welders are very useful on, and you surely don,t need a welder like I purchased for my shop, but looking at the difference will be informative!
if you look thru the duty cycle specs on most welders youll quickly see why a welder that runs on 220volt vs 110 volts is preferred if your fabricating or repairing much of ANYTHING,that will require more than a few minutes of welding time, in most applications, youll also notice why the miller and lincoln 200-250 amp rated migs are preferred over the 120-145 amp imports that run on 110volts even with the huge price difference by most shops... that do welding frequently, rather than.. a low price welder that plugs into 110 volt outlets...those low cost 110 volt welders lost a great deal of its appeal or glamor if you need to repeatedly limit your welding to 2 minutes, maximum, then wait for 8-10 minutes before welding again, and can,t get repair parts easily at a local dealer.
as the amps you set the welder at increase the DUTY CYCLE will DECREASE, a 180amp welder that can be used for 10-15 minutes at a 20-25 amp setting, that youll use on thin sheet metal, might over heat in 2 minutes at 140 amp setting
my brother-in-law seldom listens to my advice, and when he saw a 180 amp welder available for $300 at HF he jumped on the "BARGAIN PRICED WELDER"
what he failed to understand was that all mig welders have a duty cycle, and what that basically means is that you can,t weld continuously without the welder overheating and burning up, it needs to cool off between welds , if you purchase a welder, in my opinion, you should find one that has at least a 50%-70% duty cycle at the amp rating your most likely to use it at, so you can more or less weld fairly constantly without needing to wait for the welder to cool off between making brief welds.

http://www.harborfreight.com/180-amp-mi ... -8508.html
I noticed the issue and asked to read the owners manual
http://manuals.harborfreight.com/manual ... /68886.pdf

you would be amazed at the info included in an owners manual, and I,d bet 80% never get read!
and remember that flux-core requires reverse polarity compared to MIG.
this little jem got my attention, its the duty cycle chart, you get 2 minutes of welding time, followed by a MANDATORY 8 minute cooling off time between welds

now I freely admit thats a great price on a 180 amp mig welder but you also get what you pay for and a $289 mig welder is just that!
with the HF 180 amp rated mig you can weld for 2 minutes on only the 140 amp level, then MUST stop and let it cool for 8 minutes, before starting to weld again....that alone would make me throw it in the nearest dumpster, if I was welding something substantial like brackets on a differential or a roll cage, and yes Ill freely admit that if your only welding thin \sheet steel like patches on a fender it will get the job done, but after using several MILLER,HOBART,LINCOLN,HTP, welders , most of which are in the 180amp-230 amp range at several friends shops, I found the particular HF MIG lacking fine controls on heat and wire feed required for getting a good consistent weld quality


now you obviously can,t logically compare my $2300 MILLER shop mig, to the $289 HF mig ,but look over the differences, with my miller shop welder you can weld almost constantly,keep in mind your never welding constantly because your changing locations , moving parts or clamps etc. but the better quality MILLER MIG that costs SIGNIFICANTLY MORE allows basically unlimited welding time at even 150 amps .
the difference makes it all to obvious WHY you really need to research before you buy any welder and its a great idea to find and use one someone else has previously purchased to get a good idea of any welders capacity and limitations before you start dumping hundreds or thousands of dollars into a welder, and remember its not just the welder alone, you need wire, a gas tank, safety equipment , like a hood, and apron and gloves , clamps, and other components that can easily add a thousand dollars to the cost before you have a valid functioning welder.
now his problem had to do with BOTH lack of ability to adjust the current down low enough for use with thin floor pan steel and the welder cutting out after a couple minutes use, he was also using it as a flux core welder and used no shield gasses, resulting in "WELD" that either burnt thru or looked like chicken crap, I eventually had him help me put his car on a trailer and bring it over to my shop, where I was able to fix him up in less than 30 minutes

HERES a couple popular choices for a shop welder
http://store.cyberweld.com/mi211migwewi.html

http://store.cyberweld.com/millermatic175.html


heres THE MILLER 252 MIG WELDER I bought for my shop on one of the rare days I had some cash to buy tools with
...yes its a bit of overkill but Ive never regretted spending the extra coin, because long experience taught me good quality tools make work far easier, and after a few years you don,t miss the cash spent as much, as you regret buying crappy tools that need to be replaced, if you go the cheap route.

http://store.cyberweld.com/mil251witmet ... 7AodriIA9Q

http://www.millerwelds.com/pdf/spec_sheets/DC12-49.pdf

RELATED INFO

The perfect tube notching tool | Roll cages & tube chassis easy | Tube notching tools for welding. — Centurial Inc

Tube or pipe notching tools for every welder and fabricator. Makes tube notching and fabrication simple, fast and easy. These tools help make alignments and trace joints for perfect copes, miters and notches. Every welder or fabricator needs a set of these. Only sized for Tubing not pipe. This is a

www.centurialinc.com

 

[grumpyvette]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX7vODlGxOM

cobra 2000 torch demo

http://www.cobratorches.com/

http://www.cobratorches.com/dealer-locator/

 

[grumpyvette]

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... ory_Code=L

I get asked all the time what is the least expensive welder you can actually use, well, of all the cheap welders Ive used I think this one above was the best one I tried, but I think Id save up a bit more and buy the one below if i was really looking for the least expensive mig I could use for darn near all steel automotive welding

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... ode=907422
the problem with cheap welders is a great many are far less durable than you might think and many are basically toys with little actual useability, you tend to get what you pay for and theres huge bargains in used welders but you need to know what your looking at in used equipment

 

[grumpyvette]

Re: duty cycle on welder.

now obviously what type of work you do will determine to a great extent what would be the best match in a MIG welder to YOUR particular application, and it makes little sense to but a welder with capacity youll never use or one youll constantly be waiting on, to allow it to cool off.
in reality youll seldom need to exceed more than about a 60% duty cycle at the rated amps youll be using even on a job where your almost constantly welding, because in reality even when busy welding theres constant stops for repositioning . aligning parts, checking fit, angles etc. so youll want to know what amp range your actually going to be using, the wire diam. the chart below will be helpful

first, lets say your welding mostly body sheet metal, thats 18 gauge,we can see from the chart we would most likely use .030 wire and about 120 amps
how did I get 120 amps, well the range on the chart suggests 90-145 amps, thats a 55 amp range , add half of 55 to the lower 90 amps puts you at 118 amps so its a safe bet that I will use .030 wire at about 120 amps and adjust the wire speed to match, now looking at welders you would want a welder that would handle 120 amps at at least 40% duty cycle in my opinion, the miller 180 would most likely do that, but if you were welding .125 thick roll cage, or frame section, material, you would be in a far different amp and duty cycle range, do the calculations
heres the duty cycle chart on my 252 miller mig, notice as the amps go down the duty cycle increases, thats going to be similar on all welders to some extent
what the chart basically shows on my miller 252, is that if I select 150 amps or less I can get a 100% duty cycle, something youll never need btw but its also pointing out that having a welder with a bit higher amp rated capacity has a big advantage of your using it constantly, as youll seldom need to wait for the welder to cool or risk PERMANENT AND EXPENSIVE damage too it by over heating it by exceeding the duty cycle

http://www.welders-direct.com/mm5/merch ... gory_Code=
we all learn to work with the tools we own and eventually, I think. most of us come too think of the tools faults or virtues as the way EVERYONE DOES IT.
Ive used those 140 amp welders and was actually rather impressed and well pleased with the results..well UNTIL I used a buddys MILLER 252 mig, and a friends LINCOLN 300 amp TIG welder , I think its a case of not knowing what your missing as much as the machines capability's.
after using both friends welder I saved up and purchased a miller 252 mig and am currently saving for the TIG ADAPTER PARTS for my LINCOLN ARC WELDER
arc http://www.lincolnelectric.com/en-us/Eq ... lnElectric)

mig

heres an option you might consider if moneys really tight

http://www.eastwood.com/mig-welders-175-amp-mig-welder-w-spool-gun.html

 

[grumpyvette]

Okay, I have always wanted to weld (for the past 32+ years), but I never took the time or spent the money to do so... I anticipate needing some welding in the next year of two... Basically, possibly a few small patch panels for the trunk floor and filling some trim holes...

I don't know if I'll ever use it again, I have managed for 32 years, paying someone else to do my welds when needed...

I also am probably NOT going to be putting in a 220V service panel, so something that runs on 110 V (30 amp?)...

Not sure whats out there, but price is a big concern. I understand the concept of "you get what you pay for", but I don't even know how much use I'll get ( and I don't prescribe to the notion of "you find more stuff to do if you buy one.").

Millermatic 211 Autostart... One & Done...! It'll last your lifetime...!

yeah! theres a great deal of wisdom in buying decent equipment vs shopping low price, we all start out wanting to spend the minimum, but quickly find out why the better quality equipment is usually well worth the price, and in most cases if you stick with welding and try a few of the better welders ,you soon realize the cheaper equipment has a huge effect on reducing your ability to weld correctly


viewtopic.php?f=60&t=10392

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1669

viewtopic.php?f=60&t=1594

 

[grumpyvette]

Re: welding basics

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saYUUWUNAUo#t=190

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lplipcJ5cyc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMMhOC5bSps

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DmVCLi6cxok

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iju5tHB2UCc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=km95DhNmnSI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pg-kLHfXvLg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eWTHAgvj4bg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Clg6e_c7Ua4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TkvW08Sd40k

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSnj8AASuFs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UNAAhwieNhU

 

[Grumpy]

grumpy?? what do you and your friends think is a good deal in a TIG welder.

I purchased a used 30 plus year old 330 amp miller TIG with a liquid cooled torch and pump for that torch, its a decent welder but it lacks most newer features,
keep in mind you occasionally will find a great deal on a lightly used older welder in great shape,at a bargain price,and buying older welders are not necessarily a bad idea.
remember a welder like this weights about 600 plus lbs and requires a 80-90 amp 230 volt feed, and of course the sheild gases, the auxiliary cooling pump and matching torch assembly
thats ok, but keep in mind
obviously price was a major consideration

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Tig-Welder...-FACTORY-PRICE-/283328437019?oid=283247999560
heres what Id buy if I had lots of spare cash
http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-Invertig-221-Welder-p/70221-12.5-1.htm
http://www.usaweld.com/TIG-WELDER-Invertig-221-Welder-p/70221-12.5-1.htm
two of my friends have the liquid cooled 200-220 amp HTP TIGS and while they say they were expensive ,both guys love the liquid cooled tig welders, ones had the older 201 version for a about 9 years with zero problems the other guy just got his last year.
both say the price is well justified
The Invertig 221 AC/DC Inverter TIG welder will allow you to produce welds with all types of metalWe increased the maximum welding current by 10% to a full 220 amps of rugged welding power. And we put the machine on a diet, the HTP® Invertig 221 weighs in at only 40 lbs, so it’s easy to take right to the job! We also added the Invertig 221 DV (Dual Voltage)which welds on both 110 volts and 220 volts – the ultimate in portability.
The Invertig 221 is packed with features many of our competitors don't even offer at twice the price! It's the only welder in it's class with independent AC amperage adjustment. This feature gives you precise control over the heat input to both the workpiece and the tungsten by allowing you to separately adjust the electrode negative and electrode positive amperage.

Welding cart NOT included
Conventional transformer TIG welders have a fixed AC frequency of 60 Hz (same as your household current).
They use a pure tungsten electrode which forms a ball when welding AC. The Invertig 221 offers you the
ability to adjust the AC frequency from 20 Hz to 200 Hz – the higher AC frequency gives you a more focused
arc with greater arc control. With an inverter, running a higher AC frequency, say in the 150 Hz to 200 Hz
range allows you to use ceriated, lanthanated, or thoriated tungsten sharpened to a point. Which:

• Allows the arc to jump from a point instead of
a ball, which provides unparalleled arc stability
and reduces "arc wandering".
• Produces a more focused arc, resulting in a
narrower bead and making it much easier to
weld inside corners.
• Minimizes the heat affected zone as the heat
is more concentrated, making it easier for both
the novice and professional to weld thin materials.

The 221 also gives you precise control over the
AC balance (from 10% to 90%) so you can
control the arc cleaning action.
The 221 is also an excellent DC welder too. The smooth, stable arc coupled with the 221’s high speed pulse

DC pulse make intricate work on mild steel, 4130, stainless, inconel and titanium a breeze. High speed DC

pulse focuses the DC arc much like the AC balance focuses the AC Arc – the end result – more control

and less arc wandering. With a pulse rate of up to 999pps, there isn’t a job out there the 221 can’t handle.


Let’s face it, control of the arc is the foundation of better welds and precision results. With the 221’s

independent AC amperage adjustment, adjustable AC frequency, adjustable AC balance, and high speed

DC pulse, the 221 gives you arc control like you never before experienced.


The 221 allows you to store up to 64 separate welding programs. So, say you found a setting you really like

for welding aluminum radiator tanks to cores. AC – On, HF – On, Max Current = 180 amps, AC Balance = 65%, AC Frequency = 180 Hz, EP = 60%, Pulse Freq 1 Hz, Peak Time 80%, Background Current 30%. Simply

store this program and you can come back to it when you have another tank to core job. Assigning banks

of memory slots to multiple welders allows them to access their personal settings in a job shop environment.


Our Dual Voltage model can be ordered with or without a Water Cooler.


Conventional arc welding is really simple with the Invertig 221. Using the stick mode in

conjunction with the foot pedal, allows you to vary the welding amperage. Perfect when doing pipe welding!



Select the touch start mode for welding aluminum or any other material without High Frequency. This is

important if your application takes you near sensitive electronic equipment, such as on site repairs in a

hospital or repairing aluminum vehicles with on-board computers.


This package of power weighs just 48 lbs and fits into a cabinet measuring 19 ¾” long by 7 ½” wide by

15 ¾" high. The Invertig 221 package includes a 12 ½' long 20 Series water-cooled TIG torch, 12 ½’

long foot pedal, Arctic Chill Water Cooler, 10' ground cable clamp, flowmeter, and 70 minute TIG DVD; welding cart NOT included.


The advanced technology found in the Invertig 221 will allow you to produce professional quality welds in all

types of metal – quickly, easily and affordably. And every Invertig 221 comes with our 90-Day Money-Back

Guarantee. We are so sure you will love your Invertig 221 that you can try it in your own shop for 90-days –

if for any reason you don’t like it we will take it back, no questions asked. Further, we back the machine

with a 3-year warranty.


The Invertig 221 Air Cooled, Water Cooled or Dual Voltage TIG welders are shipped free anywhere in

the Continental United States, additional charges will apply for Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico and international

locations. We are happy to ship the Invertig 221 to any location, however there will be additional charges.

Please call or email us at 800-872-9353 or sales@htpweld.com to discuss any shipping questions. To

place your order now, please do so by adding to your shopping cart. One of our customer service

representatives will contact you by phone or email if there are any additional shipping costs.










Specifications Invertig 221 Invertig 221 DV
Input Voltage 220 Volts 230 Volts 115 Volts
Input Amperage TIG 36 amps @ 220 amps 26 amps @ 220 amps 30 amps @ 130 amps
Output Amperage TIG 4 to 220 amps 4 to 220 amps 4 to 155 amps
Duty Cycle 20% @ 220 amps
60% @ 165 amps
100% @ 145 amps 20% @ 220 amps
60% @ 165 amps
100% @ 145 amps 20% @ 155 amps
60% @ 130 amps
100% @ 110 amps
No Load Voltage 65 volts 65 volts 44 volts
Stick Welding Amps 200 amps 200 Amps 140 Amps
Arc Voltage 10.2 to 18.8 volts 10.2 to 18.8 volts
Torch Length/Type SR 17 – 12.5’ Long SR 17 – 12.5’ Long
Foot Pedal Length 12 ft 12 ft
Ground Cable Length 10 ft 10 ft
Slope Down .1 to 10 sec .1 to 10 sec
Pre-Gas Flow .1 to 2 sec .1 to 2 sec
Post Gas Flow .1 to 30 sec .1 to 30 sec
Final Current 10% to 90% 10% to 90%
Pulsing Frequency 0.1 to 999 Hz 0.1 to 999 Hz
Back Ground Current 10% to 90% 10% to 90%
Peak Time 10% to 90% 10% to 90%
Spot Welding Time .1-10 sec .1-10 sec
AC Frequency 20 to 200 Hz 20 to 200 Hz
AC Balance 10 to 90% 10 to 90%
Weight 48 lbs. 50 lbs.
Size 19 ¾” L x 7 ½” W x 15 ¾” H 19 ¾” L x 7 ½” W x 15 ¾” H

 

[Maniacmechanic1]

Bump Grumpy.

 

[busterrm]

I agree Grumpy, as your welding amps go up your duty cycle goes down. That’s why it’s ajways better with MIG or Fluxcore to run a cooler setting and adjust your wire feed (speed) to match your heat setting. And yes, the welding machine is welder, and you are the weldor!

 

[Jim Hanson]

Here is a multi-function welder I am looking to purchase, It has everything I am looking for in a GMAW/GTAW-P/SMAW machine that can operate on either 120V or 240V.
Everlast Welder MTS 250 STi w/ TIG Package. https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/power-mts-252-sti-tig-package

Features & Benefits:

• Exclusive! MIG/Synergic MIG, AC/DC Pulse TIG, and Stick design.
• High Frequency and Lift Start AC and DC TIG modes for a true "all in one" design
• Digitally controlled operation in all modes improve control and dependability.
• Operator friendly panel without complicated hidden menus or adjustments with grouped controls.
• Synergic function MIG automatically adjusts wire speed while voltage is increased or decreased. This maintains a preset ratio of volts and amps that can be tweaked manually by user for best operation.
• Manual Override of Synergic MIG function allows the user to regain control of at any point to fine tune automatic voltage settings and allows operation in full manual mode if desired.
• Weld Aluminum, Stainless, or Steel with Synergic MIG function with wire diameter from .023- .045" (for full range of sizes and flux core use, purchase optional drive rolls).
• 9 channel memory function provides easy saving and recall of your favorite settings.
• Synergic Spool gun operation capability with optional spool gun. Ideal for welding aluminum.
• TIG torch and Foot pedal included for TIG. Regulator included.
• Built in gas solenoid and connections for TIG eliminates need for gas valve torch used by competitors
• True DC CC/CV Multi-Process design eliminates needing or carrying multiple units for one job.
• AC capability on TIG allows user to weld aluminum. Industry first for this type design.
• Pulse TIG capability increases control and weld quality.
• Compact and light weight design makes the unit extremely portable, ideal for on-site fabrication.
• Adjustable Burn-back control keeps the wire energized after wire has stopped feeding to allow the wire to melt back to a desired length without retrimming wire before restarts.
• 12" Diameter wire spool capacity maintains portability while maintaining productivity.
• Adjustable MIG Wave arc force control manages slope/ inductance and fine tunes arc characteristics.
• Adjustable stick Arc Force and New Hot Start controls allows the user to dial in desired Stick welding performance.
• TIG Up and Down slope allows the user to control the end of the welding cycle.
• 2T/4T torch trigger/latch function offers stepped control welding with TIG and MIG.
• Adjustable Pre and Post flow for TIG and MIG operation improves over all weld quality.
• 200 Amps of MIG and TIG power offer more than enough power to get the job done. 200 amps of stick welding power can be used with up to 3/16" welding rods.
• Dual Voltage design will operate on 120V or 240V. Output on 120V is limited to 150 amps MIG/TIG/ 120 amps Stick.
• AC Wave form control with Advanced Aquare, Triangular, and Soft Square Waves

Standard Equipment:

• 12 ft. Everlast 18 Series TIG torch with series 35 DINSE-style connector
• 10 ft. Series 25 MIG torch with Euro style quick connect fitting
• Stick electrode holder with 10 ft. cable and 35 series DINSE-style connector
• Work clamp with cable 10 ft. cable and 35 series DINSE-style connector
• Spare consumable starter kit (does not include tungsten)
• Foot Pedal
• Argon Regulator

Minimum/Maximum:
MIG:

• Weld up to a maximum of 1/2" single pass* (240V)
• Weld up to a maximum of 3/4" multi-pass (240V)
• Weld a minimum of 24 gauge (120V, 240V)
• Weld a maximum of 3/16" single pass* (120V operation)

* Single pass welds greater than 1/4" are not recommended as a sound welding technique in short circuit mode. To achieve max penetration on 240V, axial spray is necessary.

TIG:

• Weld down to a minimum of .020" AC; .010" DC
• Weld up to a maximum of 3/8" AC; 1/2" DC single pass (240V)*
• Weld up to a maximum of 1+" mult-pass (240V)
• Weld up to a maximum of 10 ga. AC; 9 ga. single pass (120V)

*Welding greater than 1/4" thick in a single pass is not typically recommended for the best quality welds. Multi-pass welds are usually performed on metal 1/4" or thicker. The reason for considering greater power on thicker metals is to more quickly overcome the heat dissapation rate of thicker metals so faster travel speeds and greater control can be obtained.

Stick*:

• Weld with a maximum of 3/16" diameter electrode (240V)
• Weld with a minimum of 1/16" diameter electrode (120V and 240V)
• Weld with a maximum of 3/32 diameter electrode (120V)

* When considering welding with stick, it is more important to factor electrode capacity than welding thickness capacity due to multi-pass requirements of thicker metals. Each electrode has a range of minimum and maximum thicknesses the electrode can weld, depending upon electrode manufacturer recommendations and formulations.

 

[Grumpy]

looks like an interesting option, it appears to be a bargain vs some similar options
its rather amazing how the tech keeps advancing and the multi process welder options are more available than in the past.
I wish I could get one to play with for a few weeks, so I could get a better idea how well it works.
"welders" , if your into welding are a bit like the playboy fold outs,
most of us, wish you could take them out for a "test drive"
to see if they can perform nearly as well as they look , like potentially they can.!



as always shop carefully and ask detailed questions before any major purchase

https://www.eastwood.com/welders/multi-process-welders.html

https://www.everlastgenerators.com/

http://www.welders-direct.com/

https://www.weldersupply.com/

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment

https://www.bakersgas.com/welding.html

http://store.lincolnelectric.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/en/leesite/mig-welders

 

[T-Test]

Here is a multi-function welder I am looking to purchase, It has everything I am looking for in a GMAW/GTAW-P/SMAW machine that can operate on either 120V or 240V.
Everlast Welder MTS 250 STi w/ TIG Package. https://www.everlastgenerators.com/product/mig/power-mts-252-sti-tig-package

Features & Benefits:

• Exclusive! MIG/Synergic MIG, AC/DC Pulse TIG, and Stick design.
• High Frequency and Lift Start AC and DC TIG modes for a true "all in one" design
• Digitally controlled operation in all modes improve control and dependability.
• Operator friendly panel without complicated hidden menus or adjustments with grouped controls.
• Synergic function MIG automatically adjusts wire speed while voltage is increased or decreased. This maintains a preset ratio of volts and amps that can be tweaked manually by user for best operation.
• Manual Override of Synergic MIG function allows the user to regain control of at any point to fine tune automatic voltage settings and allows operation in full manual mode if desired.
• Weld Aluminum, Stainless, or Steel with Synergic MIG function with wire diameter from .023- .045" (for full range of sizes and flux core use, purchase optional drive rolls).
• 9 channel memory function provides easy saving and recall of your favorite settings.
• Synergic Spool gun operation capability with optional spool gun. Ideal for welding aluminum.
• TIG torch and Foot pedal included for TIG. Regulator included.
• Built in gas solenoid and connections for TIG eliminates need for gas valve torch used by competitors
• True DC CC/CV Multi-Process design eliminates needing or carrying multiple units for one job.
• AC capability on TIG allows user to weld aluminum. Industry first for this type design.
• Pulse TIG capability increases control and weld quality.
• Compact and light weight design makes the unit extremely portable, ideal for on-site fabrication.
• Adjustable Burn-back control keeps the wire energized after wire has stopped feeding to allow the wire to melt back to a desired length without retrimming wire before restarts.
• 12" Diameter wire spool capacity maintains portability while maintaining productivity.
• Adjustable MIG Wave arc force control manages slope/ inductance and fine tunes arc characteristics.
• Adjustable stick Arc Force and New Hot Start controls allows the user to dial in desired Stick welding performance.
• TIG Up and Down slope allows the user to control the end of the welding cycle.
• 2T/4T torch trigger/latch function offers stepped control welding with TIG and MIG.
• Adjustable Pre and Post flow for TIG and MIG operation improves over all weld quality.
• 200 Amps of MIG and TIG power offer more than enough power to get the job done. 200 amps of stick welding power can be used with up to 3/16" welding rods.
• Dual Voltage design will operate on 120V or 240V. Output on 120V is limited to 150 amps MIG/TIG/ 120 amps Stick.
• AC Wave form control with Advanced Aquare, Triangular, and Soft Square Waves

Standard Equipment:

• 12 ft. Everlast 18 Series TIG torch with series 35 DINSE-style connector
• 10 ft. Series 25 MIG torch with Euro style quick connect fitting
• Stick electrode holder with 10 ft. cable and 35 series DINSE-style connector
• Work clamp with cable 10 ft. cable and 35 series DINSE-style connector
• Spare consumable starter kit (does not include tungsten)
• Foot Pedal
• Argon Regulator

Minimum/Maximum:
MIG:

• Weld up to a maximum of 1/2" single pass* (240V)
• Weld up to a maximum of 3/4" multi-pass (240V)
• Weld a minimum of 24 gauge (120V, 240V)
• Weld a maximum of 3/16" single pass* (120V operation)

* Single pass welds greater than 1/4" are not recommended as a sound welding technique in short circuit mode. To achieve max penetration on 240V, axial spray is necessary.

TIG:

• Weld down to a minimum of .020" AC; .010" DC
• Weld up to a maximum of 3/8" AC; 1/2" DC single pass (240V)*
• Weld up to a maximum of 1+" mult-pass (240V)
• Weld up to a maximum of 10 ga. AC; 9 ga. single pass (120V)

*Welding greater than 1/4" thick in a single pass is not typically recommended for the best quality welds. Multi-pass welds are usually performed on metal 1/4" or thicker. The reason for considering greater power on thicker metals is to more quickly overcome the heat dissapation rate of thicker metals so faster travel speeds and greater control can be obtained.

Stick*:

• Weld with a maximum of 3/16" diameter electrode (240V)
• Weld with a minimum of 1/16" diameter electrode (120V and 240V)
• Weld with a maximum of 3/32 diameter electrode (120V)

* When considering welding with stick, it is more important to factor electrode capacity than welding thickness capacity due to multi-pass requirements of thicker metals. Each electrode has a range of minimum and maximum thicknesses the electrode can weld, depending upon electrode manufacturer recommendations and formulations.

If I was going to spend that kind of money, I would buy a Bobcat welder/generator to cover all bases with the right attachments.

Thread 'welding sheet metal repairs'

Dec 9, 2010

watch the video for the basics
a decent tig welder and a few air tools and knowing what your doing goes a long way!

http://www.weldingtipsandtricks.com/wel ... video.html

http://www.bapspaint.com/docs/psheets/P ... /P-226.pdf

A FEW TIPS FOR WELDING SHEET METAL ON CARS
By John Kelly/Ghia Specialties

When welding a patch panel or fender flare on a car, I use either oxy-acetylene (gas welding) or wire-feed (mig welding), in that order of preference. Tig welding is great, but few do-it-yourselfers have a tig welder, so we’ll stick with the first...

• grumpyvette
• Replies: 15
• Forum: Welding Tips and Welders

 

[Maniacmechanic1]

If I was going to spend that kind of money, I would buy a Bobcat welder/generator to cover all bases with the right attachments.

Leaning that way myself right now a Bobcat Miller AC/DC Stick Gas Engine welder. I can buy $500-1000 local used.
Do Semi Truck welding repairs outside.
Stick welding is windproof and rainproof.
Earn extra $$$$.

 

[Grumpy]

if you got a decent tax refund, these options might interest you
Also, to choose the best welder for yourself,
you can choose any one of these.

https://weldingrage.com/best-mig-welders/

https://myweldingyard.com/best-tig-welder/

https://www.amazon.com/Everlast-Pow...ss/dp/B072RDF888?ref_=bl_dp_s_web_11479840011

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mp250i-multi-process-250-amp-welder.html

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/tig-gtaw/dynasty-210-tig-welders-m30020

https://www.millerwelds.com/equipment/welders/mig-gmaw/millermatic-212-auto-set-mig-welder-m00456

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mig-250-250-amp-welder-plasma-cut-60-and-cart.html

https://www.eastwood.com/eastwood-mp250i-multi-process-250-amp-welder.html

http://www.welders-direct.com/precision-tig-225-wcart.html

https://store.cyberweld.com/midy210dxtig.html