For the TIG only owners

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How often do you wish you had some sort of mig? As far as small fabrication goes, tacking parts in place, etc. Under a car for example, then bringing it to the work bench. I only have a hobart tig, which is a 240v large heavy machine. Saw this deal for the handler 125 with free hobart cart, tempting. Im sure it could only do 3/16 max probably, but it could probably stick 1/4 together enough to allow me to get it setup for tig(I dont think Ive ever welded over 1/4 in my life). Just hesitating on pulling the trigger right now, $339 for the whole package is a sweet deal, but it could also be a new helmet and some consumables....... I also only have one garage with 240 100amp service, so getting a 120v machine would allow me to hop around a bit. Also, if I were to pick it up, could I successfully tack steel using straight argon from my tig bottle, or is a mix like 75/25 a must?http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...7703_200447703Oh, Id get a 25 dollar gift card too, hahaLast edited by neverfastenough; 11-28-2012 at 09:42 AM.
Reply:1/8" max with that machine in the real world.  If you have an old Transformer TIG why not just get some long welding cables and Stick weld everything for your tacking..Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpaw1/8" max with that machine in the real world.  If you have an old Transformer TIG why not just get some long welding cables and Stick weld everything for your tacking..
Reply:Originally Posted by neverfastenoughGuess I could, never stick welded before  How would it like being tig'ed over? I know going over a mig tack isnt always fun. Would probably need to ad TIG tacks and then grind out the stick one..
Reply:Mig love it for tacking or some jobs, but I agree I hate tig welding over it. So if you keep your tacks to a minimal, and are not going to looks, I'd say you are ok.FWIW- I love my hobart mig!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:are spool guns options for tig welders?
Reply:No, a spool gun is for a mig welder to do aluminum.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:Originally Posted by neverfastenoughare spool guns options for tig welders?
Reply:You can NEVER have tooooooooooooo   many machines. If you want a mig go fro one with multi voltage  110/220 like the MILLER 211. Lincoln has one too. More bucks upfront but worth it.
Reply:if you want it for tacking, use fluxcore..
Reply:I have a Lincoln Mig welder that I bought for the only purpose of tackin together pipe to practice welding on. Tacking with tig is such a hassle and tacking with arc welding is such a hassle - mig is the easiest way to go. You can do so much with a mig welder.. It's faster than tig welding and it's cleaner/quicker than arc welding. You just pull the trigger, quick spot weld, throw the gun down, slap a piece together. Quick spot weld - done.Also, you can weld over thin metal - you can also with tig, but tig will start pulling up all the impurities. You can mig weld over everything. Argon helps with penetration and washing out the puddle. In training schools they use 100 percent carbon dioxide only because it is cheaper - far cheaper than pure argon. Or you can go with the co2/argon mix and get the best of both welds46’ sae30047’ sa200 w/Wisconsin VF451’ shorthood56’ shorthood56’ shorthood68’ redface69 redface07’ ranger 305G13’ sae300Inconel/Hastelloy – SS – Duplex – Chrome/Carbon Tig – F3Downhand – STT/RMD – F3F4 – B Pressure
Reply:Also that miller 211.. I was originally going to buy that machine bit bought a Lincoln 218 instead because the 218 was only $300 more and it's a much bigger machine and the biggest reason is because the miller 211 had cheap poor excuse for welding knobs.. That'd probably break the first time I throw it across the shop. Remember - new technology is made cheap so that it breaks and has to be replaced - just like the cheap plastic garbage miller 211 welding knobs. You need something heavy duty - not made for a little kids birthday party kind of welding machine.46’ sae30047’ sa200 w/Wisconsin VF451’ shorthood56’ shorthood56’ shorthood68’ redface69 redface07’ ranger 305G13’ sae300Inconel/Hastelloy – SS – Duplex – Chrome/Carbon Tig – F3Downhand – STT/RMD – F3F4 – B Pressure
Reply:I've used the 125 class welders and they are fine if you don't try to go beyond there capabilities.  As with all tools it's a matter of whether it's "fits the need".  I would generally go for more power than you think you need.  I haven't heard anyone complain about to much capability in their welder.
Reply:So your primary issues is you don't like moving the machine around.  Is it on something that rolls?  Initially I thought perhaps you wanted to mig because it was easier to handle with one hand.  I would consider longer cables,  if you don't mind tacking under the vehicle.  If your mig is soley for tacking then I would consider getting the machine , however I would also consider somethng used and larger since once you get it you probably can make quick work of other jobs.  You can tack with argon.  Not pretty.  flux core will leave spatter to contend with.
Reply:I use a Hobart 180 and an old Century AC Stick..  I wired my welding circuit in at 50 amp and use a 28 foot cord from my electrical panel.  I just keep the cord coiled up on the wall when I am welding on my bench but when welding on a vehicle I roll whichever welder I am gonna use over to the vehicle and then roll out the cord to the welder.  I plug in the welder then turn on the curcuit breaker and get to welding.I made the mistake of plugging the welder into the cord once.....instead of tripping the welder breaker the main tripped so I had to stumble in the dark.
Reply:IIRC, Argon gives a smoother bead with less spatter but also with LESS penetration.  So if you're thinking of a 110v machine, CO2 or C25 will be your friend.TIG welding is alot of fun, but once you get a mig, you're gonna find yourself using it alot.  So much faster and easier to weld steel with.  On auto panels, you can also mig braze with it.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:I agree with drf255 and I would use a 90% argon 10% co2 as it will be a bit hotter than 75-25 on a low amp machine also if you find you are burning through you can reverse your polarity which will decrease your penetration rather than going straight argon
Reply:I do car stuff all the time. I just had a TIG for quite some time. Finally this summer I got in a MIG. I got the mig mainly for dirty jobs and car sheet metal work. Dirty work as in every day maintenance welding on cars like mufflers. I still tig nice stuff and actually won't even use the mig for tacking parts to be tig'ed because of reasons others have mentioned.If all your doing is building new stuff for cars I wouldn't be in a hurry to get a  mig. If your doing it all for cars including replacing rusty mufflers I would for sure look into one.