Is my welder enough welder?

admin

Hi again...  very new welder here.  I have been practicing with my Titanium 125 Flux core mig welder (no gas option).  I'm starting to learn what decent welds look like, and getting better with adjusting voltage and wire speed settings by sound and what the weld looks like.  I'm very much still learning.I know looking forward that I will mostly use my welding skills for things like light fabrication, small repairs to garden or utility trailers, my side by side, and other things around the house.  I will be taking a welding course in a couple of months that will teach me MIG, TIG, Stick, and aluminum welding as well.  My question/concern is penetration, currently.  I've seen several videos on youtube of guys welding/repairing utility trailers (c-channel/tubing) with 110v welders without much thought.  I'm going to have to have  new coupler welded on my trailer in the near future, and I've already got a friend who is going to weld it on for me.  The new new coupler is probably 1/8" or so, and the c-channel is about 3/16 or so at the thickest part.  Would the 110 Mig I currently use have enough power to get good penetration on that, or would I be better off with a little heavier duty welder?  I have been looking at the Eastwood MIG 180, as it seems like a little better option than what I have now.  I'd like something that serve me well, but I don't have a few grand to spend on a welder I may just occasionally use.  I'd like to stay in the $500 range if possible.  If my current one will work, great.  I do like the cleaner welds folks seem to get with gas, but I also understand the benefits of flux core.  Thanks for any suggestions or advice.Jason
Reply:When my lincoln 210mp died, I needed something portable right away until my lincoln got fixed. I bought a Prime weld 180 for $500, and has done a great job. It comes ready to mig weld, stick weld, and also comes with an aluminum spool gun. It has a 3 year warranty ,and they pay the freight if in the US. It will also run gasless flux core if you want to run out side without gas, but it will also run stick great . Its a good multipurpose welder if your on a budget, I've also used it as a scratch start TIG welder. It will give you time so save money for a nicer/bigger welder later Just my two cents, Hope iy helpsGood LuckAirco 250 ac/dc Heliwelder Square waveMiller Synchrowave 180 sdMiller Econo Twin HFLincoln 210 MPDayton 225 ac/dcVictor torchesSnap-On YA-212Lotos Cut60DPrimeweld 225 ac/dcPrimeweld mig180Miller AEAD-200
Reply:First I want to say,,, you never have "enough welder"

Your 125 is a great welder for up to about 1/8" and that's about it so, are you going to need to do much thicker that that?If so, maybe it's time to Learn a New Skill and stick weld stuff that is (and they're not expensive)Last edited by BaTu; 04-03-2022 at 10:24 AM.
Reply:The downside to the 120 welders is they flip the breaker s lot. The size and type depends on the type welding you are doing. I have own welders to 750 amps this is over kill for almost any one. The size used the was 260 amp but only used 200 amps. This size will do most plate welding.  But most shops use 160 amp for ever.Today in retirement for hobby welding I have a HF Chicago 170 welder does everything I need today. Paid under $200 I think the price has gone up. Dave

Originally Posted by LittleTreeGuy

Hi again...  very new welder here.  I have been practicing with my Titanium 125 Flux core mig welder (no gas option).  I'm starting to learn what decent welds look like, and getting better with adjusting voltage and wire speed settings by sound and what the weld looks like.  I'm very much still learning.I know looking forward that I will mostly use my welding skills for things like light fabrication, small repairs to garden or utility trailers, my side by side, and other things around the house.  I will be taking a welding course in a couple of months that will teach me MIG, TIG, Stick, and aluminum welding as well.  My question/concern is penetration, currently.  I've seen several videos on youtube of guys welding/repairing utility trailers (c-channel/tubing) with 110v welders without much thought.  I'm going to have to have  new coupler welded on my trailer in the near future, and I've already got a friend who is going to weld it on for me.  The new new coupler is probably 1/8" or so, and the c-channel is about 3/16 or so at the thickest part.  Would the 110 Mig I currently use have enough power to get good penetration on that, or would I be better off with a little heavier duty welder?  I have been looking at the Eastwood MIG 180, as it seems like a little better option than what I have now.  I'd like something that serve me well, but I don't have a few grand to spend on a welder I may just occasionally use.  I'd like to stay in the $500 range if possible.  If my current one will work, great.  I do like the cleaner welds folks seem to get with gas, but I also understand the benefits of flux core.  Thanks for any suggestions or advice.Jason
Reply:Welding 1/8 to 3/16 you're already pushing the limits of your 120v welder, so it's going to depend on how good of a welder your friend is as much as the machine itself. Be aware that you can have a pretty MIG weld, that really isn't very strong. If you question your friend's abilities or your welder, take the hitch to a professional, it's not a big job.The harder you fall, the higher you bounce...250 amp Miller DialArc AC/DC StickF-225 amp Forney AC Stick230 amp Sears AC StickLincoln 180C MIGVictor Medalist 350 O/ACut 50 PlasmaLes
Reply:There are a number of decent 240 volt MIG welders to be had: I have seen a number of good videos (reviews, tear downs, etc.) that would lead me to believe the Harbor Freight MigMax 215 is well worth the money: https://www.harborfreight.com/weldin...put-63617.htmlI would probably feel comfortable making a bet on a Primeweld given all the recent positive feedback. Probably this unit  https://primeweld.com/products/mts20...g-stick-welderIts hard to beat the Hobart Handler 190 if you are on a budget  https://bakersgas.com/collections/mi.../hobart-500554I might take a flyer on the Eastwood, if there was a store close to me. I have never really heard anything bad about them, but their stuff just has a cheaper look and feel than the equivalent HF equipmentMiller Multimatic 255
Reply:The titanium provides the amps to handle the hitch. It is fluxcore not MIG.  It will cut 1/8 steel.  I have not had breaker issues.  Duty cycle would be the limiting factors,  it gets erratic before it cuts out.  But it will handle its stated specs of 3/16”.  Good wire makes a difference too.    not encouraging you to weld your hitch in your ability is lacking,  failure would be on the weldor, not the welder.
Reply:I agree The name plate said yes but the welder said good luck.Dave

Originally Posted by whtbaron

Welding 1/8 to 3/16 you're already pushing the limits of your 120v welder, so it's going to depend on how good of a welder your friend is as much as the machine itself. Be aware that you can have a pretty MIG weld, that really isn't very strong. If you question your friend's abilities or your welder, take the hitch to a professional, it's not a big job.
Reply:Thanks all.... My friend who will be doing the welding has his own equipment and is a much more experienced welder than myself.  I just think by looking at the thicknesses on the trailer, I'd like to be able to work on that thick of material as my experience increases.  I haven't had any issues thus far with tripping breakers.  I put in a dedicated 20amp circuit in my garage just for my welder, and have everything I need to run a dedicated 220 circuit for a different welder as well, if/when needed.  That part of the equation is of no concern to me.  I got the Titanium 125 to see if I "could" weld or if it was something I wanted to get more involved with.  It is.  I may give this welder to my stepdad and look at a dual voltage Mig welder for myself that is capable of running a spool gun (not sure if I'll ever do aluminum, but I'd rather buy once and have the option than to have to buy again).