Outdoor welding

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Hello, I'm a landscape contractor who is considering starting to do some of my own welding.  Most of my projects will be done outdoors using steel from 1/2" gauge down to sheet metal.  Mostly I will be building sculpture/trellis but would love to do some work on my equipment also.  Been doing a lot of research online regaring the various types of welding and I found out that MIG welding, while simple and versitle, is not suited for the outdoors because of the wind.  Is it suffcient to just shield my work area a bit or would it be best for me to Shield Metal Arc Welding SMAW?  Figured it's best to ask you guys first before I invest in the wrong equipment.Thanks a lot for your help
Reply:You can do mig welding outdoors by using Flux Cored wire (self shielded)Mauricio
Reply:Originally Posted by mauricio_daniel_62You can do mig welding outdoors by using Flux Cored wire (self shielded)
Reply:MIG / Flux Core runs pretty good in the outdoors even with a slight breeze. Usually a tarp, plywood or card board is good enough to deflect any wind movement.Thanks,HoboLincoln SA200's... at least 15 - 20. They come and go. Growing partial to the "Short Hoods" in my old age. Last count on Short Hoods was 13 in possession.
Reply:I generally weld outdoors, when I don't I am right inside the garage door of my shop.  (normal sized single garage door). I have a 110 mig welder that I run with gas.  Granted if it's a real windy day I don't do it, or I try to get just enough in the door to shield the weld from the wind.  Honestly I have yet to have a problem.  All that being said you are correct, sometimes it's just waiting for the right time.
Reply:Just to be clear, MIG is Metal Inert Gas welding -- it's also called GMAW, or Gas Metal Arc Welding.   It's distinct from flux core welding, which is also called FCAW, which stands for Flux Core Arc Welding.  The same machine that runs gas and wire (MIG) can be used without gas and with self-shielded wire (Flux Core).  But a Flux Core machine can not run gas.Both of these are distinct from stick, which is also called SMAW, for Shielded Metal Arc Welding -- which is what you might be better off with if you're welding 1/2" steel.  Although it's hard to say if you're talking about 1/2" plate or something else, since you use the term gauge, which is a different measurement system and is used for sheet steel.  Keep in mind that you're going to be limited on metal thickness with Flux Core or Mig depending on whether you have access to a generator with 240v output, or if you're limited to local 120.  The fact that you might be looking at 120v power is what makes me suggest stick, which is a little better suited to outdoor conditions and metal that isn't bright and shiny and clean.Sheet metal is not easy for beginners.  It takes some practice.  Or a class at a local community college or vocational center.Last edited by Jack Olsen; 09-05-2012 at 12:13 AM.Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:if he were to stick it with 120volts, it would have to be an inverter. I can't imagine a stick welder at 120volts. why waste your time?Lincoln Power Mig 210MP MIGLincoln Power Mig 350MP - MIG and Push-PullLincoln TIG 300-300Lincoln Hobby-Weld 110v  Thanks JLAMESCK TIG TORCH, gas diffuser, pyrex cupThermal Dynamics Cutmaster 101My brain
Reply:Originally Posted by mauricio_daniel_62No easy to thin sheet metal....
Reply:I do alot of outside welding for my friend whos a landscape architect.  A large 220v mig is all you need.  Unless its exceptionally windy, you can get by with gas.  I always pull the mig out-I have stick and Tig capability also.The 1/2" steel is what's throwing people off.  If you buy a good size mig and do some beveling of the joint, you can do it with mig.  Alot of its about skill.  There are guys on the site that could probably do a code weld on it with a 110v mig, but most of us cant.  Mig is king for sheet metal.  But It's notorious for depositing a nice looking weld on top of metal with very little penetration.  Stick really burns into the base metal, so sheet metal is tough to not burn through, but you will generally get a deeper stronger weld.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Thanks for all the help, really appreciate it.  Looks like a 220V Mig is the right machine to buy. DRF255,  I also live on Long Island and do a lot of very high end residential landscape design.  If you want to send me your contact I will keep you in mind for some of future projects.  Right now I have 3 projects on the board that might I might need some welding work for.  Mostly trellis work but the potential for some interesting custom piers too
Reply:Depending on what you're doing, you may find that the welder you think is the best for one job is hard or nearly impossible to do another job with. To be able to do good work you may want to get more than one welder.I've got a (Henrob) O/A welder, and like it alot. Sure, gas is expensive, tack welding stuff into place isn't as simple as with a MIG, and O/A welding spreads more heat into whatever you're welding on (sometimes good, sometimes bad). But you never need to worry about electricity, it can be used to weld from very thin sheet to ½" steel (but I'd prefer a stick welder for thick steel), braze, heat metal for bending, cut up to 1" thick steel... I do miss not having a MIG for those times when I need to tack one piece into place, put another one into place, tack it, repat until bored to death, or a stick welder for the thick stuff - but if I'd have to choose one single type of welder to have it still will be O/A. It's versatility is unbeatable at least for the stuff I usually do.
Reply:Originally Posted by Joker11if he were to stick it with 120volts, it would have to be an inverter. I can't imagine a stick welder at 120volts. why waste your time?
Reply:Just curious, what kind of landscape "sculpture" or "trellis" is 1/2" thick that you'd be welding??   Even giant structures the size of Lady Liberty aren't that thick.   Steel shelving at your local big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Costco) which hold a tremendous amount of weight for instance are maybe only 1/8" or so thick... What type of  giant heavy "sculpture" are ya gonna weld up???Last edited by SuperArc; 09-07-2012 at 04:30 AM.Lincoln Power Mig 216Lincoln AC/DC-225/125Miller  625 X-Treme PlasmaMiller 211 Forney 95FI-A 301HF 91110Victor Journeyman O/PMilwaukee DaytonMakita  Baileigh NRA Life Member
Reply:i wonder if he meant 12 gauge maybeDynasty 200DXPassport plus w/ spoolmate 100victor 315c oxy/(act and prop)Miller digital elitemilwaukee power tools
Reply:Originally Posted by turki wonder if he meant 12 gauge maybe
Reply:Originally Posted by SuperArcJust curious, what kind of landscape "sculpture" or "trellis" is 1/2" thick that you'd be welding??   Even giant structures the size of Lady Liberty aren't that thick.   Steel shelving at your local big box stores (Home Depot, Lowes, Costco) which hold a tremendous amount of weight for instance are maybe only 1/8" or so thick... What type of  giant heavy "sculpture" are ya gonna weld up???
Reply:Originally Posted by OkieDaveMy first thought was fence pickets.
Reply:I just use a 3 wall plywood box works great up to 35mph gusts here on the Gulf :]