Lincoln Pak 100 thoughts

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Well, I was at the local Home Depot and purchased the mig conversion for my model. Turns out the welds are great and all but I'm now restricted to welding up to 2.0mm (.075") thickness vs the gasless flux-cored setup I was using. I was able to weld up to 0.25" and I liked that. I never welded anything pass the 0.25" mark.I'm thinking I should ditch this setup and buy another rig that will allow me to weld up to 0.25". What do you guys think? The restriction of only 2mm is killing me here.
Reply:That's why I've always advised getting a 240 v mig if a person has the wiring to do it.                   MikeOl' Stonebreaker  "Experience is the name everyone gives to their mistakes"Hobart G-213 portableMiller 175 migMiller thunderbolt ac/dc stick Victor O/A setupMakita chop saw
Reply:Mpower, I had that welder for years.... I wish I had kept it. If you do your beveling right on edges, use .023 wire with it, you will find that with practice, you can weld up to 1/4" with it. Also, learning preheat techniques will be key to get good results on thick materials. Ask Paul(ZTFab. He uses a Lincoln 135 for all kinds of welding that has been shown here on the site. He has a ton of welders, and he definitely uses his small welders a lot.And then, after so much work...... you have it in your hand, and you look over to your side...... and the runner has run off. Leaving you holding the prize, wondering when the runner will return.
Reply:thankx. I was thinking of the 240v version.... It's been calling out for me=)I will PM Paul now I've seen him post some awesome stuff!!!
Reply:Hey mpower... While the 240v welders are definitley more forgiving and are well worth the money, the 110v welders still have their place and capabilities.One of the biggest things you can do when welding thicker materials is SLOW DOWN. I have a very slow hand speed when welding and that helps to penetrate thicker materials.My SP135plus models have the variable voltage controls which can help fine tune the weld to my hand speed. Your pak100 doesn't have that feature but that doesn't mean you can't tune it in. You will just have to tune your welding with the wire speed and the amount of wire stick-out from the tip.Like Rojo said, make sure you prep your material properly with bevels and preheat if it's over 3/16". That will give you the best results.I have used my 135's for a lot of projects from roll cages and suspension to rear-end housings....but it takes time to learn how to weld properly with these little guys.Practice, practice, practice and you'll get it. If you want/can, post some pics of some sample welds and we can help you get it right.- Paulhttp://all-a-cart.comWelding Cart Kits and accessories
Reply:I'm thinking I should ditch this setup and buy another rig that will allow me to weld up to 0.25". What do you guys think? The restriction of only 2mm is killing me here.
Reply:I cranked it up to the highest setting and tried welding more. I got carried aways as to smooth it went, I took an allen key and welded it onto the stock bar I was practicing on.NOT BAD. I like it now=) I just need a more steady hand.
Reply:I've used those little lincolns and i've welded 1/4" material with them.  Just put the heat into it as said previously and go slow.  I was maxed out with .035 or .030 wire for voltage and had my wirespeed set about halfway.This is 1/4" thick angle iron welded to some 16g using one of those little 110v lincolns with innershield.Last edited by WelderBoy; 08-11-2007 at 04:47 PM.
Reply:Nice. I'm using gas so no more innershielding wire. Can someone clarify to me as to why when I use innershield, I can go up to 1/4 but when I use mig, i'm not able to do 1/4.