Just got my first welder!

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I got a Hobart Handler 140.  Any do's and don'ts I should know about before I get started?  Is there much of a difference between using a shielding gas or not?  Can't wait to get started.Brad
Reply:HUGE difference between using gas and using flux. Be sure to swap the polarity if you switch. I'm not sure what that machine comes setup for.Did you get it new?It's a great machine. 20pounds of wire for $36 should get you started and have enough wire for a LONG time.http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-10-lb-Roll...item27d2fd0ec4I always ran .030 in my handler 140.Torchmate 2x2 CNC with Flashcut CNC controlsHypertherm Powermax45 Esab ET220i Razorweld 195 MigRazorweld 200ac/dc TigTormach 770, Tormach xstechRazorweld, Vipercut/Vipermig, SSC Foot Pedal Dealer
Reply:Know your machine's limitation is probably 1/8" MAX.
Reply:+1 on that HTP Wire. Heres a video that should help you get started, too:[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJDv7Y6dUi0[/ame][Account Abandoned 8/8/16 Please Do Not Attempt Contact Or Expect A Reply]. See you on YouTube! -ChuckE2009
Reply:The first machine I got was a Lincoln 140 HD and I did not have gas so I went with Flux core wire.  Of course flux core welding is not MIG welding.  It is just flux core welding using a machine capable of MIG.  I hated it and because of my ignorance I thought I hated MIG welding.  My flux core welds looked like garbage.  It did not stop me from building a few things with ugly welds but I decided MIG was not for me even though I was not MIG welding.Since then I bought a machine to do Stick and TIG and still like those processes but after that I decided to go get a tank of 75/25 gas and retry my MIG machine.  I absolutely loved it.  I was way better at that than I was at either stick or TIG.  The welds looked good and appeared to have good penetration.  So I let my initial ignorance of true MIG welding color my opinion and it took a couple of years before I learned that MIG is a great process and allows me to build stuff more quickly than even stick or TIG.  They all have their place but I think I will be using MIG way more than the other processes.I recently went out to get a nice more powerful MIG machine and I have been very happy with it.The moral of this long boring story is get the shielding gas and you won't regret it.Last edited by johnnyP; 07-03-2013 at 05:26 PM.johnnyPLincoln Power Mig 256Lincoln 140 HDMiller Maxstar 150 STLHypertherm Powermax 45
Reply:don't kink the whip/ liner! If the wire spits lots of bbs turn The volts up or wire speed down. if it burns the wire back to the tip, turn the wire speed up or the volts down.  keep that contact tip close to the metal  and find the sweet spot. \excuse my punctuation. Soo tired. night!Nothing Ever Got Done By Quitting, Never Give Up.
Reply:I am looking a buying a 20lb tank.  I won't be doing a lot of welding.  How long will that last?  The specs on the welder says it will weld up to 1/4".
Reply:I think you must mean 20 cf tank, that will not last you very long. If you set your reg on 15 cf/hour, then you will have a little over an hour of welding time. Plus you lose a little between welds. I would recommend a minimum of 80 cf tank, but a 120 cf is better. The tank costs more to buy but the refills are almost the same price, very little difference in refilling a 20, 40, 80, or 120. So buy the biggest tank you can afford. I have found a lot of tanks on Craigslist. If you find an pure argon or C25 tank, you can exchange for C25. I've been able to exchange helium tanks for C25 too.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:By 20 lb. tank, do you mean CO2 by any chance?"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtIf you find an pure argon or C25 tank, you can exchange for C25. I've been able to exchange helium tanks for C25 too.
Reply:Don't be buying used tanks , nobody will fill them only the name on the tank and they will ask for a account number .
Reply:What about renting?  Is that very expensive?
Reply:Always wear a protective welding Helmet.
Reply:pick yourself up a good pair of mig gloves.  they're only insulated on the tops to keep the heat at bay and still give you good dexterity.
Reply:Originally Posted by The NoofI am looking a buying a 20lb tank.  I won't be doing a lot of welding.  How long will that last?  The specs on the welder says it will weld up to 1/4".
Reply:Hey Brad,Please post your location, because renting vs. buying varies from place to place. Someone in your area might give you specifics.  Around here, you can take any tank 120 cf or smaller and exchange at any of the big LWS. I don't think Tractor Supply will take anybody else's tanks. At least call a couple of places in your area and ask them about tank prices, refills, and exchanging other tanks. Pavingsteelman's right about checking the neckring or label, at least on the larger tanks since they are usually rentals.Bigger is better. I have 2 300cf tanks that I own and the cost to exchange them is about $10 - $12 more than cost on a 80 cf. They are a lot harder to haul and exchange!Yes, you want C25 mix for your MIG.Last edited by wb4rt; 07-09-2013 at 04:48 PM.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com
Reply:Originally Posted by PavinsteelmanDon't be buying used tanks , nobody will fill them only the name on the tank and they will ask for a account number .
Reply:Originally Posted by wb4rtBigger is better. I have 2 300cf tanks that I own and the cost to exchange them is about $10 - $12 more than cost on a 80 cf. They are a lot harder to haul and exchange!
Reply:I have bought 6-8 large bottles and many 40, 80, and 120cf bottles over the years on Craigslist. There is a place in Cleveland Tn that has about 50 300cf tanks, different gas valves and different suppliers, for $65 each. If I needed any, I'd buy those. Some large ones I have exchanged for 120cf bottles, some I sold to buddies, and still have 2. I have argon in one and C25 in the other. I just haul them to the LWS and exchange. Paid $43 for 300cf exchange of helium bottle for argon about 3 weeks ago. If the label is theirs or the neckring is one they are authorized to fill, there is no problem. No one asks if owned or rented. They will not accept a bottle that is not one of theirs or a neckring they are not allowed to fill, example Airgas won't take a Praxair bottle, but they have bought so many other companies they have to look them up in a book. If it's one of theirs, no problem. There is no way they have a list of serial numbers and who rented them because they exchange many times over the years. These could have been on a rental contract at some point in the past, but they would hold that person responsible for the bottles that are missing, I guess.I have not asked them to pick up and deliver. I don't know if that would raise any questions or not. If you are there with one of their bottles and pay them for the exchange, I don't think you would have any problems. Of course the more business you do with them, the more cordial they are, so that's another reason to buy your welder and supplies locally instead of on-line. Plus I have an account with them, maybe that helps, but no rental contracts.Last edited by wb4rt; 07-10-2013 at 08:42 AM.Burt _____________________Miller Syncrowave 250Millermatic 211Miller 375 Plasma Cutter Hobart Handler 12010FtDrillBit.com