dana 60. which welder and why?

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Hello new member here.I'm in the middle of a project here and I'm needing to step up from my HH 140 to a 230 machine. I'm building a truggy and have acquired a dana 60 and 10.25 sterling. The dana 60 has 1/2" wall tubes. I have seen mutiple ppl and 4x4 magazines weld on links and trusses that are usually 1/4" to 3/8" thick steel to these 1/2 tubes using a miller 212. Are they preheating the tubes? Or multipass?I figured I would have to step up to the miller 252 or similar machine with 1/2" capability. I'm no expert but also not an idiot. I'm just curious about the best way to finish this build. If it is possible to get away with using the 212 then what is the best way to weld 1/4" to 1/2" tube. Without burning through the 1/4"
Reply:Personally if I had any doubt in the machine I would heat the material. Make sure the brackets or whatnot are V'ed out good and make multiple passes if necessary.I would test weld some of the bracket material to some similar 1/2" first too and then bend/beat test to see if it is working out.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:You're 'trussing' a Dana 60 & A Sterling?  Those have some serious tubes already.You must have some serious horsepower planned, or hydro steering?As far as a replacement machine, A Lincoln or Miller 250 amp range, that can handle gas or flux cored.  It is small enough of a rig that it can be easily moved around, has to the amps for infrequent welding up to 1/2" (multi-pass with .035 - .045 wire).  You're not overpaying for a machine when you will rarely exceed it's limitations.  The input amperage is 50 amps so it can easily use a 220v 50 amp existing breaker you have in the garage for your electric dryer plug.I have the previous version to the Lincoln 256, the 255XT.  Great machine, easy to use & adjust, move around on it's cart wheels.  I've had it about 7 years.http://www.lincolnelectric.com/asset...068-1/e755.pdfLincoln 255 XT Power MIGLincoln Precision TIG 375Hypertherm PowerMax 1000 G3+ Full Machine Shop
Reply:I have a MM 252, this unit will do what ever you will weld on...use some .035 wire weld it up and go find you some Rocks...
Reply:Ya got that thing built yet ???
Reply:Welcome to the forum. With all due respect. Do you currently have any welding experience on this type of work? Every one has to start some where but I'm not sure that steering, suspension, roll cage and frame modification should be the first project. Do you have a friend or off road club member that you can trade favors for some welding or that can help or coach the welding? You could keep the existing machine for light work and get a stick machine for heavy stuff and tig. Good luck with your project and post pics here.Last edited by gundog77; 12-26-2014 at 08:15 PM.
Reply:Hey Welcome to the forum. Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkQualified & experienced at welding scrap metal
Reply:I have to ask, if it is that thick, why not switch to stick?  Seems like it was made for that. That being said, if you are investing, I would look at the Thermal arc 252i...stick, TIG and MIG. It won't TIG aluminum but it has a lot of horsepower, and you can run 7018 rods all day with it if you choose.Miller Multimatic 255
Reply:On anything I think is going to take some serious abuse, 7018 is my first choice, over everything I have at my disposalMiller Spoolmate 200 w/t S-52 WirefeederMM 211'09 Miller Trailblazer 302
Reply:Personally I always tig stuff like this for two reasons. 1 is puddle control, clean weld. 2 is it looks pretty. I have never ever been a stick welder. It is pretty much all we used in school like a million years ago but with the things I do I never have much use for it.12v battery, jumper cables, and a 6013.I only have a facebook page. https://www.facebook.com/pages/VPT/244788508917829
Reply:Personally I always tig stuff like this for two reasons. 1 is puddle control, clean weld. 2 is it looks pretty.
Reply:X2 on the 7018. 5/32Lone Star Mobile Welding, LLC2006 Ram 3500Lincoln Ranger 250GXTHypertherm 30 AirK2000 CAG ESAB Rebel 215ic Milwaukee mag drillDewalt dry cut sawMilwaukee metal cutting circular sawMilwaukee M18 Fuel Chisholm Lead Reels
Reply:Originally Posted by Louie1961I hear you, and that is of course a perfectly good answer. But he's welding underneath his truggy...does anyone really look at the welds under there? Lots of stuff is built with 7018, it is clearly strong enough for what he needs.
Reply:true! but at that point, how pretty his welds are probably don't matter much  Miller Multimatic 255