Does cold weather make using a MIG machine ill advised?

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I did do a bit of a search here on WW for posts/threads about welders and cold surrounding temperatures. Couln'd find any info on this, though.I'm a rural handyman who for years had an O/A setup for brazing, bending/heat-forming, cutting, and a little welding. Now also I've got a Lincoln 240v MigPak. My metal-working shop is a roofed-over portion at the back of our barn, but completely exposed to winter air due to being uninsulated and vented to outside. I don't feel comfortable doing any work back there when temps are too far under 32*F, but sometimes need to (say, when it's down to around 27 or 28*F). So the machine is sitting in these temps. If I switch it on and use it out there at these surrounding temps, is this bad for my wirefeed machine?
Reply:Originally Posted by Joel_BCI did do a bit of a search here on WW for posts/threads about welders and cold surrounding temperatures. Couln'd find any info on this, though.I'm a rural handyman who for years had an O/A setup for brazing, bending/heat-forming, cutting, and a little welding. Now also I've got a Lincoln 240v MigPak. My metal-working shop is a roofed-over portion at the back of our barn, but completely exposed to winter air due to being uninsulated and vented to outside. I don't feel comfortable doing any work back there when temps are too far under 32*F, but sometimes need to (say, when it's down to around 27 or 28*F). So the machine is sitting in these temps. If I switch it on and use it out there at these surrounding temps, is this bad for my wirefeed machine?
Reply:Good question, would a machine build up enough condensation to cause damage.  If it was turned on in cold weather, ran long enough to warm up then turned off in the same cold environment.Thermal arc 211iCk flex-loc 150 & 130Clamps, saws & grindersHarbor freight 80 amp inverter
Reply:I welded with my hh187 in an unheated shop formabout 3 days last winter in sub 20* weather with no ill effects. Welder was on 5or 6 hours at time and set all night, with it being colder at night.  I was using flux core at the time.  I dont know if this would make a difference or not.
Reply:Probably not ideal conditions for the machine. One of my shops is unheated. The welders are at the bottom of my list in the worry department.
Reply:It's 11° here. I posted my last mig welds to the what you welded today thread. It kept me warm.  Regards,RobGreat Basin WeldingInstagramBlue weldersRed weldersMy luscious Table DIY TIG Torch cooler
Reply:Condensation is more of a problem when you move a warm machine full of moist room temperature air to an area where it will cool down below the dew point for the trapped air.   You are starting with a cold machine, so your concern would be more with thermal shock as everything goes from cold to very warm and back.   There is a good chance that it will not be a problem.Now that I write that, I do recall that the extra 50 degrees of cold may result in cold starts to your welds.   I'm not sure what to do about that other than pre heating.  Dan
Reply:Hey Joel - here in northern Minnesota my shop is only heated when I'm working.All my machines regularly experience down to 0F (-18C) every winter indoors.I wouldn't worry about it.Just remember to warm up your steel before welding it.Stay warm man Dave J.Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. ~George Bernard Shaw~ Syncro 350Invertec v250-sThermal Arc 161 and 300MM210DialarcTried being normal once, didn't take....I think it was a Tuesday.
Reply:Originally Posted by Robert HallIt's 11° here. I posted my last mig welds to the what you welded today thread. It kept me warm.
Reply:Biggest thing I know of is you shouldn't weld on steel that is below freezing.A little propane torch preheat will fix that. Some of the more advanced guys have induction heater blankets.Aside from that, with the mig machine being cooled with air that's below freezing you don't have to worry about sticking to duty cycles.If you are in a wet area you might want to install a small 4 watt light in with your wire compartment so it doesn't attract moisture and rust.old Miller spectrum 625 Lincoln SP-135 T, CO2+0.025 wireMiller model 250 and WP-18V torchCraftsman 100amp AC/DC and WP-17V torchCentury 115-004 HF arc stabilizerHome made 4 transformer spot welderHome made alternator welder
Reply:I have the same machine for 15+yrs and have had no problems using it in my unheated when I'm not in it shop.  I don't think On. gets as cold as where you are but it's cold enough.Measure with a micrometre, mark with chalk,  cut with a torch.Never force anything...just get a bigger hammer.RoyOld Airco buzz box approx 1974Lincoln mig pack 15Lincoln 175 square wave1954 9" south bend lathe
Reply:Thanks, guys.  I do appreciate your experience and thoughts on this.
Reply:Originally Posted by mad welder 4If you are in a wet area you might want to install a small 4 watt light in with your wire compartment so it doesn't attract moisture and rust.