Home Depot Weld Pak 125HD......want to run gas?????

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My cousin bought a Lincoln Weld Pak 125D from Home Depot a few months ago.  He wants to run gas, but needs to know what parts are needed.  It had none of the necessary components to run gas. I just bought a used Millermatic 140 which came with an owned 80CF bottle, regulator and hose.  I gave them to him since I already have a nice Smith flowmeter and a Y splitter to run with my lincoln SP170T and 125CF bottle.  Is there a kit he can piece together to run the internals for shielding gas or does he need to purchase the entire kit with regulator and hose?  I saw this one from Home Depot, but like I stated earlier, I only need the internal components. http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...5f%2d202937140  Also, how hard is it to hook it up? and lastly what exactly does he need?  I'm assuming it's some sort of selenoid with tubing, but have no clue where and how it gets attached to the welder.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Last edited by toomanytoyzz; 02-13-2012 at 06:13 PM.
Reply:I know Steve ( 7A749) did a gas conversion on a Lincoln a few years back.Here's the one post I found on his conversion so far. I need to dig a bit more and see if I can't find some more info for you on it.http://weldingweb.com/showpost.php?p...8&postcount=16http://weldingweb.com/vbb/showthread.php?t=33445EDIT: It was a Century 125GL not a Lincoln Steve did the conversion on.Last edited by DSW; 02-13-2012 at 11:11 PM..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:If this is the Lincoln flux core 125 like Lowe's sells also, I just recently did this conversion on one I found at a pawn shop. Mine had the hose and wiring already in place inside.I ordered a 12v 1/4pipe solenoid valve off ebay and installed it. The valve works good and only cost about $15. I got the gas tip from Lowe's for about $8. The kit Lincoln sells costs about $125 or more.I had to slightly modify the plastic mounting location and acquire fittings and washers to fit it up. I was able to mount it solidly. This is the good news.The "bad" news is... this welder is very limited in it's range. Not very "Hot".  I would say only good for thin sheet metal and filling holes. If you want to have a welder that is versatile, I suggest spending more money on a "Hotter" welder. I also have a Miller 140. The 140 may not be as good as my vintage '80's Miller sidekick, but it is much stronger than the 125 Lincoln. If you have any ?'s or want me to post a pic, let me know.
Reply:The Lincoln kit includes the valve, fittings, wiring and regulator and hose. Plus an instruction sheet.
Reply:Originally Posted by BradTNIf this is the Lincoln flux core 125 like Lowe's sells also, I just recently did this conversion on one I found at a pawn shop. Mine had the hose and wiring already in place inside.I ordered a 12v 1/4pipe solenoid valve off ebay and installed it. The valve works good and only cost about $15. I got the gas tip from Lowe's for about $8. The kit Lincoln sells costs about $125 or more.I had to slightly modify the plastic mounting location and acquire fittings and washers to fit it up. I was able to mount it solidly. This is the good news.The "bad" news is... this welder is very limited in it's range. Not very "Hot".  I would say only good for thin sheet metal and filling holes. If you want to have a welder that is versatile, I suggest spending more money on a "Hotter" welder. I also have a Miller 140. The 140 may not be as good as my vintage '80's Miller sidekick, but it is much stronger than the 125 Lincoln. If you have any ?'s or want me to post a pic, let me know.
Reply:I found him a Hobart Handler 140 with EVERYTHING including a 125CF bottle for $450 on CL a few days after he bought the Lincoln at Home Depot.
Reply:Yeah, I told him that.  I got a lead on a guy selling a Lincoln SP100 for $300 obo with an owned bottle and regualtor with a brand new gun and spool of wire.  He could probably get $200 for the Weld Pak and sell the bottle and regulator and be ahead of the game.  I'll keep you posted.Last edited by toomanytoyzz; 02-14-2012 at 12:19 PM.
Reply:I'd sell the Lincoln and the regulator, then keep the cylinder. You can never have too many of those.Body shops have made STOOPID money with those little Lincolns (and so has Bondo to cover some of their work!). I'm gonna add a gas valve to my friends 100 so I don't have to fornicate with flux-core when I visit to give him a hand.
Reply:[QUOTE=toomanytoyzz;801881]I'd appreciate a pic or two if possible.  Where did you plug the solenoid valve into on the circuit board?  I'm also wondering if the gun will accept gas? The wires are right there with connectors on them ready to plug into. The gun is ready for gas after the gas tip is installed and the hose for gas is in place also...it's 1/4" I think. If he is going to weld only sheet metal he may be very happy with the 125.
Reply:Here are some pics. First is the valve on the 125. The wire connectors to it have the green tape on them. The white wires and the hose were just laying inside going to nothing. Next is the fittings I used on the back. From the Plumbing dept. at Lowe's.Last pic is the Power Mig 216 that I recommend that your buddy gets if he wants to weld a wide range of material. Attached Images
Reply:If you need pictures of anything specific I have my Weld Pak 100 in pieces at the moment.  One of the IC's burned out on the board.  I have a whopping 31 cent part on order.I switched mine over to gas about 8 years ago with the kit, but it is a very simple kit.  Could easily be duplicated for far cheaper.  Back then the welder was new and I did not want to source the parts.  Any specific pictures or info I can help with...With gas this welder is pretty much limited to sheet metal type work.  Don't get me wrong it is a good LITTLE welder.  Just not versatile.  I welded many many things at quarter inch thickness, but not structural type items.  I would convince your friend to purchase one of your other CL's finds if he is going to do much more than body work.  Granted I did do many many go kart jobs with the little 100 I would not recommend it.  Certainly not efficient.
Reply:I ran a few beads today on my 125 w/.023 wire and gas just to refresh my impression of it. It actually welds pretty good up to about 1/8" steel. For me, I think it will make a good auto body sheetmetal  and exhaust system welder. Have your cousin convert his 125 to gas and get a Lincoln AC 225 stick welder for the stuff over 1/8" and he will have it mostly covered. The Lincoln buzzboxes are common and cheap. I have 2 of them and they work good on the heavier home shop stuff. The Lincoln Red Blob is happy !
Reply:did any body mention the liner, maybe i missed it?  when i made my small mig use gas the lincoln kit also came with a new liner for the gun that was smaller in diameter.bobs77vet/37ford4drEastwood digital TIG200HH190Lincoln Invertec 155sLincoln weldpak 100sears/craftsman (lincoln) 50a 240v buzz boxO/A rig Harris gaugesnexion cut 50 dxchicago electric (HF) 240v spot welder