Mig Conversion KIt

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I have a Linclon Weld Pak 125 Flux Core machine. I am a beginner and teaching myself with experimentation, books, videos, practace and advise here. I have gotten to the point that I can run a consistent bead with the flux core. I under stand that MIG is easier, cleaner and can be used on heavier gauge steel. Linclon sells a MIG conversion kit for the 125, would convertion this unit from flux core to mig give me satifactory perfomance or would i be better off getting a new MIG machine ?  Would I be able to weld 3/8 plate if I bevel it and make multipule passes. Most of the welding I do is small fabrication projects and I just purchased an old tractor (which will require me to weld heavier steel)   and want to improve my welding for this project
Reply:The flux core seems to burn hotter than the gas so with the conversion the thickness you can weld will decrease slightly.  I think a 125 amp is a little on the light side for 3/8 plate but  with multiple passes it can be done.  I think it is time to buy big bertha!Thermal Arc 185 TigHTP 200 MigCraftsman O/A1942 Bridgeport Mill12 Ton Hyd PressConsew Walking Foot
Reply:The above is correct the flux core will burn hotter, but one thing to consider if you are welding outside, If using MIG even a slight wind can push your shielding gas away from the puddle leading to contamination, which is why the flux core is better suited to outside work, something else to think about.  By the way I was in the same situation I had a small 110v machine that I outgrew, and just got my new MM251.  Just my .02 worth
Reply:waternut: What lead you to the MM251, and are you happy with it?I've been trying to decide between the MM210 and the MM251. I'veeven welded with the MM251 a bit (about an hour), but I think I maybe better off getting the MM210 and saving my pennies for a spoolgunif I need to weld some aluminum.
Reply:If I were you, and I'm not- so take what I say as just kind advice, I would post my 125 for sale and upgrade to a 220V unit that can handle the larger materials.  You can always use up the fluxcore that you have, but I find the gas shielded welding to be much more enjoyable and more spatter free.  If you have been working outside though you really do need to consider keeping flux core or stick around because that wind can beat you up pretty bad and cause your weld pool to look like soda pop!  By the way I personally run a Lincoln 175, and have probably burned through 280lbs of wire with no issues to date...and very few tip changes.  Good luck!
Reply:Hey NewbieRN, like some of the other folks have said, the capabilities of the machine and the wire are that the 0.035 fluxcore can weld slightly thicker pieces than the 0.025 solid wire can, by about 1mm.   Your machine's owner's manual and the handy-dandy chart on the inside of the wire compartment door will list the thickness and voltage/wire-feed recommendations.Your machine lists capabilities up to 10 gauge (0.135 inch/3.5mm) thick mild steel with either 0.035 FCAW or 0.030 GMAW solid wire and C20 or C25 gas.  The max listed thickness for 0.025 solid wire is 12 gauge (0.105 inch/2.5 mm) mild steel using either straight CO2 or blended C20 or C25.Note to some of the folks, the WeldPak-125  -IS- a 230V machine.To do 3/8 thick mild steel, you really need a machine with more oomph.  And probably 0.045 wire.  Lincoln's PowerMig 215 recommends 0.045 Outershield OS71M wire with C25 gas to do 3/8 mild steel in one pass.Note that 3/8 thick mild steel is really pretty thick stuff to weld in a home setting.