are my reasons for wanting a flux over mig justified?

Tue, 31 Aug 2021 15:35:36 GMT

go to see Welding Machine for are my reasons for wanting a flux over mig justified?

i decided i wanted a mig or flux welder. i have stick welded before, getting ready to take the certification for stick welding through my union hall. this welding machine will be for mostly  fabrication for bumpers & skid plates for my truck, as well as whatever else i come across that needs repair.much of what i have read online all point to mig welders. i however think i am going to go flux for two main reasons-i can use it outside (i dont have a set garage to work in)-it penetrates better than migis this the right thought? am i on the right track? i was thinking of getting a hobart handler 125. im not afraid of using a grinder to clean up welds. does a mig really make that much of a cleaner weld over flux?
Reply:Iffin' yer gonna stay with a 120v machine I would go with a Hobart Handler 140:1. You can run  Fluxcore through it2. You could switch to Solid wire and gas for Body work on the truckEd Conleyhttp://www.screamingbroccoli.com/MM252MM211 (Sold)Passport Plus & Spool gunLincoln SP135 Plus- (Gone to a good home)Klutch 120v Plasma cutterSO 2020 benderBeer in the fridge
Reply:i gotta stick with 120v. i was looking at the hobart 140, i also saw the northern tool 135 machine but havent read much on it.
Reply:Outlawskinnyd,I already had a much bigger Miller 220 volt machine but ended up picking up a Hobart HH125 because I got a good price on it.  It is decent for stock up to 1/8" (11gauge).  It is sold as a fluxcore machine but is MIG capable if you buy the gas conversion kit which is about $90.00.  When running fluxcore, it doesn't do well with the really thin stuff (burn through).  If you intend to ever use MIG, I would agree with Broccoli and recommend a 140 amp machine (Hobart, Lincoln, Miller) that is MIG capable right out of the box.  Fluxcore can produce fairly clean welds if dialed in right and with proper stickout.  Slag cleans off very easily with a wire cup.  I tend to grab the little HH125 more often than I had originally expected because it's very quick to tack or weld small projects together.  It is a very limited machine because it is set up for fluxcore only (as sold) and because it has limited amperage.  However, if I had the opportunity to do it all over again at the price I paid, I definitely would!  I actually kinda like the little guy.
Reply:Originally Posted by outlawskinnyddoes a mig really make that much of a cleaner weld over flux?
Reply:I have several welders now and one of them is a Hobart Handler 140, I love that little machine it have burnt hundreds of pounds of .030 wire with it and have run it up to the point of the duty cycle shutting it down multiple times an hour and wouldnt take what a new one cost for it.  Love it I only went up to the bigger stuff becasue Im now welding more and more and heavier LONG welds and the Duty cycle on the 140 was just not enough.  Granted some of my parts take 8 welds that are 8 foot long each on 1/4 and 3/16 Plate steel.  I would recomend the 140 to anyone.  I have all 3 brands Miller (just got it) hobart and lincon the lincoln is a small 155 and does ok But I Wouldnt trade 2 of them for the Hobart 140  JMHO.  And you can run FLux or solid wire with it.Hypertherm PM 1000 on a CNC TableMiller Maxtron 450 - S52A series feederHobart Handler Lincoln 155 (my sons he's 11)looking to sell or Trade a RFC-23A foot pedalCustom diesel parts fabricator