Buying mig welder

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Looking to purchase mig welder.  Leaning toward Lincold Electric 140.  What do you guys recommend for comercial and residential iron work like fences and gates. Thanks SM
Reply:yep, any of the machines in the 140 amp range will work good for that...  as u are doing lots of short welds with start and stop you should not have any issues with duty cycle.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:There has been a lot of discussion on this very topic lately. Is 120 voltage all you have available ?  I would look to invest more money and get a dual voltage machine. The miller 211 would be my choice. This will give you all you need and a choice of 110 and 220 volt.
Reply:The best you can expect out of a 140 amp 110v mig under real world conditions is 1/8" despite what the manufacturers lit might say. Your problem will be the 110v input. You would be much better off with a 230v capable machine..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:my vote is for dual voltage.  best of both worlds.  110v available evrywhere and you are welding light but 220v when you need the power.Everlast PowerTIG 185
Reply:I'd consider a dual-voltage unit, perhaps a Thermal Arc Fabricator 211i.  If nothing else, look at the duty cycle:Lincoln 140: 90A @ 20%TA 211i: 99A @ 60% (120V)"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:most fencing is in the 16GA range, maybe 1/8" for hinges and baseplates etc.  u are doubling or tripling the budget going for a dual voltage machine..  NOt sure if that is what the OP want's though the 181i at around 1K is a great way to go if its in the budgetTiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:If you are fabricating fences in your shop, then installing them in the field, go with a dual voltage machine.  You'll never wish you had less amperage and a lower duty cycle when you're working in the shop.Hobart sells a kit that allows you to mount a 20 oz paintball co2 tank to the back of your welder for shielding gas... makes it REAL easy to take a true MIG setup in the field for installations and repairs.  Granted, that tank only holds about 20 minutes worth of gas, but for doing final assembly in the field, and doing repairs, it's a GREAT way to stay light weight without sacrificing weld quality (ie, gasless wire)You didn't build that.'85 Miller AEAD-200LE
Reply:Originally Posted by anickodeIf you are fabricating fences in your shop, then installing them in the field, go with a dual voltage machine.  You'll never wish you had less amperage and a lower duty cycle when you're working in the shop.Hobart sells a kit that allows you to mount a 20 oz paintball co2 tank to the back of your welder for shielding gas... makes it REAL easy to take a true MIG setup in the field for installations and repairs.  Granted, that tank only holds about 20 minutes worth of gas, but for doing final assembly in the field, and doing repairs, it's a GREAT way to stay light weight without sacrificing weld quality (ie, gasless wire)
Reply:I have been working with similar material and when I'm behind schedule the fan on my MM252 comes on. That being said even if you are good at time management 220 would be a nice option for the shop and 110 for field install.