Welder Choice?

admin

How ya doing guys? I have absolutely no welding experience. I've watched it done a 1000 times but I've never tried to do it myself. What type of welding method would I be best doing, it would be strictly personal, for working on my car and and miscellaneous projects for my landscaping rigs.  What is TIG/MIG? Any info at all is appreciated!!
Reply:Tig is Tungsten inert gas welding   In tig you have a machine that supplies power to a torch that has a tungsten electrode, causing an arc to form between the torch and the metal, Argon is supplied from an argon cylinder traveling through a regulator, into the machine where the flow is controlled by a solenoid in the machine that allows gas to flow and shield the weld area from atmospheric oxidizers when an arc is ignited. Tig welding has the ability to weld as thin as beer cans to heavy stock depending on the amperage capabilities of the machine. A tig machine with ac/dc current and high-frequency start is about $900-$3000.Mig is metal inert gas welding  In mig you have a machine that supplies power to a gun that feeds wire off of a spool located in the machine into the weld, The arc is sustained because the wire is continuously bridging the gap between gun and workpiece, There are several different wire types for mig machines and different metals, Flux core wire requires no shielding gas and is ideal for thicker metals and outdoor uses where a gas would just blow away. Solid mig wire is more adapt for thinner metals and indoor work where wind is not an issue. Solid wire does require a shielding gas though, A blend Called C25 is most recommended for mig wire, It is 75%Argon 25%Co2.Aluminum wires are also available for welding aluminum with a Mig machine.   A Mig machine is about $300-$2500 I personally would recommend a Hobart Handler 135 mig welder, It has the power, features and price that are appealing to beginners.  HH135 Just ask if you need more help!!
Reply:Thanks alot Vipermanz, really sounds like you know your stuff.......I'll probably annoy you with more questions as they come, like procedure and safety methods.  I personally would recommend a Hobart Handler 135 mig welder, It has the power, features and price that are appealing to beginners. HH135 What would a price range on one of these be? and would this use a standard household plug?THANKS FOR YOUR TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply:A handler 135 is around $450, It runs off of 120 volt household current, And it will weld 24ga sheet up to 3/16" stockheres a link Thanks!!
Reply:Click on the HH135 link at the end of his post, it will link to a website.Yes, it will run on a standard 120V household outlet, provided your breaker is big enough (20 AMP dedicated curcuit is best), for the higher amp work can trip a breaker when used extensively.It is on sale at that site for $460.00I recomend you visit a local welding shop, and talk to some folks their and have them shoot you some prices.  Getting to know them is also a good way to pick up tips, buy parts, accesories, and what not.
Reply:You're way too quick, vipermanzHaha, we musta been typing at the same time.
Reply:Most of the farm supply stores carry Hobart products( Big-R  Farm and Home, etc.)  Nice machines.
Reply:FGA, The HH135 is a 110v machine. It limits your welding capabilites when using C25 to 1/8" stock. I would recomend buying a 230v machine 175 amp range and up. If you only want to buy one machine, that is the way to go. I have a HH135 and quickly outgrew it and bought a 250 amp machine. I still use the 135, but only for the small stuff. If you need more info, just ask :-}
Reply:Scott, I've got a question about your HH135 you outgrew.  I only have an AC buzz box right now and was considering getting a mig in the future.  But I figured it would be the 135 rather than 175 or bigger because I've become pretty confortable with the AC stick.  I thought I could use the 135 (Hobart or Lincoln, makes no difference to me now) for the thinner stuff I can't use the stick welder on.  One more thing, this is just a hobby.  I don't mind at all chipping the slag, in fact kinda of enjoy it, like opening up a present to see what kind of weld I have.   If I don't need a larger machine for the thicker material, do you see any reason to go ahead and move to a 175 or higher welder?  I also like the thought of the portability of the 135 since it's 110 volt.
Reply:Jim, one thing you can trust me on after 45 years of doin it, YOU WILL get tired of chippin slag a lot sooner than you think.The 120 volt machines have been around for a few years now, and disappoint far more people than they make happy.  Generally, it isn't the machine's fault, it's because of insufficient wiring to the machine, or lack of operator experience.The thing new guys need to understand about MIG is a weld can look good with MIG and not really be stuck to the base metal, and that characteristic is far more prevelent on 120 volt machines.The 220 volt machine only weighs around 60#, so portability isn't much of an issue, and you're generally assured of a sufficient power input, and machine capacity with the 175 amp size machines.  You canalways turn a big one down, but a little one will only go so high.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Thanks Franz.  So, when I get ready, it will be a 220V machine rather than a 110V.  Do you have any idea if I could ran a HH175, or lincoln equivelant off a 5000W generator?  The generator says it will produe 42 amps.
Reply:Jim, I don't regret buying the 135. It is nice to be able to take it to other locations, especially ones that only have 110. I actually just took it to the airport to fix my hangar door. But Franz is right when he says that the weld could look good but not be stuck. But as long as  you know it's limitations and are just going to use it for the small stuff. I think that you should get one. But you can't have mine-LOL   The larger machine is the one I use the most now though.
Reply:I haven't got the stats on the 175 machines, and the thing you really need to understand is that input amps are in direct relationship to output amps, so the nameplate current on the welder will be when the machine is fully cranked.  I doubt the generator will have a problem.Guys who have problems running off gensets usually experience them because the genset is one of the unbits with idle down, and it can't come up quick enough when an arc is struck.Appreciation Gains You Recognition-
Reply:Decisions, decisions, decisons.  Thanks guys for the reponses.  I'll let you know what I end up with.
Reply:I'm sure you will be happy with either.
Reply:I had a HH120, it burned up after many years use and abuse, replaced with a HH135. Decidied I needed MOR POWER and sold the HH135 and got a HH175.
Reply:I know alot of you guys bleed blue, but I really like my Lincoln SP175+. It's right in the range with the MM175 and HH175 and it doesn't have that autotracking thing that Miller seams to love so much.
Reply:Jadecy, The HH175 differs and for alot of weldors, prefered over the MM175 due to the fact that it does not share the infinite adjustments like the MM. It had taped voltage knob and wirespeed know. It is easier to dial in than the MM.
Reply:I bought a mm 175 a couple of weeks ago and don't at all mind the infinit control. I have also used the tapped control and found that I always wanted in between two different settings. Once you get used to the mm 175 it will become second nature to set it up.Millermatic 175Lincoln Electric 225 buzz box