Suggestions on getting started with MIG

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I got a welder for christmas and have not used it yet...I have been getting things ready and trying to read some stuff.Finally got the 220 ran.I have some scrap metal to start with.I have a Hobart 187.I have not bought tips, wire or gas yet.I am looking at 1/8 to 1/4" thick metal welding.My general questions:Do I need specific Hobart brand tips?Should I even mess with the spool of flux wire that came with the welder or just go straight to gas?What gas and tank size? The local weld shop had a $179 tank of mix, I thought that was a bit much.
Reply:the price of the tank is about right-sucks- but the going price.use the Fluxcore- nothing wrong with it- just takes a little more clean upEd 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 have to SCUBA tanks that "came" with the house.I forgot to ask the guy if I could trade them for something....
Reply:It's possible they may give you something for them but not sure the lws needs scuba tanks!  Not even sure what the difference is if any. Run the flux core, get a feel for it, turn up the heat/wire speed and just pull the trigger. Then connect the gas and bare wire and do it again. You don't have to stick with the hobart tips/cups or wire for that matter. I've run hobart and even had to stop at a lowes that sold lincoln stuff and bought tips and wire there and run it. Actually liked the lincoln wire better.....sorry hobart!aka Cumminsguy71 at other forums....would not work here??
Reply:The tips are standard.  Get a 125cf tank -- not that much more than an 89cf, and just about the same price to refill.  You got gloves, a helmet, a jacket, grinders, clamps and all of that?  The start-up cost for welding goes up in a hurry.
Reply:Three, I learned to weld from a WWII Ship Fitter, didn’t do much with it. Later, had a partner in an aircraft A&E Radio shop, he taught me to Heli Arc [Tig], haven’t done it in 30+ years. Mark could weld a razor blade to a rail road track; I never got the hang of it. Bought myself a Mig, some friends at work helped me with solid wire; no one had experience with Flux Core. Until I came across Steve Bleile’s videos, I couldn’t get flux core to work, when I did it wrong it was good and when I did it correctly it turned out badly. Totally puzzled? Steve’s videos put me straight. The point is, you can teach yourself, get some instruction and be fairly competent. Not a Pro, but competent. What I like about flux core is, on a long weekend all you need is a spool of wire and you’re welding. You’ll develop your own likes and dislikes, favorite’s brands [Hobart FabShield] and so on. Have fun squirting wire.
Reply:You can rent Bleile's videos for ten bucks through Smartflix.  I'll bet a lot of libraries stock them, too.
Reply:Originally Posted by theedudenatorI have to SCUBA tanks that "came" with the house.I forgot to ask the guy if I could trade them for something....
Reply:I have everything but a jacket...Not sure what to get. Originally Posted by Jack OlsenThe tips are standard.  Get a 125cf tank -- not that much more than an 89cf, and just about the same price to refill.  You got gloves, a helmet, a jacket, grinders, clamps and all of that?  The start-up cost for welding goes up in a hurry.
Reply:Let me post some pics of the tanks.I was thinking CL or ebay myself.
Reply:Originally Posted by theedudenatorI have everything but a jacket...Not sure what to get.
Reply:Originally Posted by theedudenatorI have everything but a jacket...Not sure what to get.
Reply:I sold the SCUBA tanks for $100.So now I am looking for a tank.What mix and size do you think?I am going to be a very light user....
Reply:Would it kill you to use the search feature?Have we all gone mad?
Reply:Originally Posted by theedudenatorI sold the SCUBA tanks for $100.So now I am looking for a tank.What mix and size do you think?I am going to be a very light user....
Reply:I ended up getting a 80CFM tank filled for $210I bought some .030 wire and did some welding this weekend.This was my first time and it was actually easier then I thought.When I opened up the 2lb spool the wire spun out everywhere, guess I should have known better?I can already that I need a good sharp set of wire cutters anything particular people use?
Reply:http://store.cyberweld.com/migpliers.htmlMig PliersLWS should have them but honestly I just use Side Cutters.Ed 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