How much is 10 amps....really?

admin

Here's my wonder....I'm looking at the general line of Miller Migs....primarily the MM140 through the MM211/212 (both have the same amperage range - but not the same duty cycle).So, what I've noticed is between the MM180 & MM211/212, the amperage range difference is 30 AMPS....and the specs on the site say the MM211/212 can weld a thickness of 3/8" mild steel vs. the MM180s 5/16"....difference of 1/16th of an inch.Then between the MM180 & MM140 is a range difference of 40 amps, but the MM180 claims to be able to weld an 1/8" thicker than the MM140....So, what is the difference between just 10 AMPS....    or are some welders overrated, while others are underrated.
Reply:10 amps not that much from a welding standpoint based on the machines you have outlined,  however 20-60 is huge...   from say a mm 140 and 180 or 212.   but the big thing you want to look at is Duty cycle at specific rated amps.   if u plan on doing much 1/4" and larger I suggest the 211/212 miller due to the duty cycle else you will be runnning a foot of bead and waiting 10 mins for the machine to cool down to run the next foot of bead..      figure out what amps you will be running most and make sure u get at least a 40% duty cycle for that amp rating else its going to drive u nuts on any decent sized welding workTiger 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:No expert here, but AMPS, or amperes, is current flow.  Watts (power) really cannot be measured directly but is a product of amps (current flowing) times voltage (the force behind the currrent).At the same voltage, 140 amps versus 180 amps does not seem that much a difference.  But, if your 40amp difference is from 10 amps to 50 amps that is a big difference.As for 10 amps, that is the typical hair dryer used in your bathroom at home.  (1,200 watts divided by your typical household voltage of 120.)Hope that helps.
Reply:Originally Posted by Larry ZAs for 10 amps, that is the typical hair dryer used in your bathroom at home.  (1,200 watts divided by your typical household voltage of 120.)Hope that helps.
Reply:Originally Posted by BuckFeverOr your microwave.  I understand the electrical properties of Amps, watts, & volts.  Guess it just struck me a little odd in that the difference of 30 AMPS on the higher end of the scale was a thickness of 1/16", but on the lower end, it was 1/8"    As for my intentions on what to weld...mostly body panels, .250 DOM (when I get good at it), etc.  Anything thicker such as 3/16 - 1/4" plate for bumpers and such, I'll just tack together and then hit it with the tombstone.
Reply:You need to do a little more homework because you are not looking at the complete picture. Amps are part of the equation and you have to include volts also.  The 140 is rated 90a @ 18v = 1620 watts, the 180 is rated 135a @ 22.5v = 3037 watts, the 211 is rated 150a @23.5v = 3525 watts, the 212 is rated 160a @ 24.5v = 3920 watts so when you compare watts you see the difference. If you want to tackle .250 material you'll see that the 180 has more output vs the 140.
Reply:You cant use amps you dont have. My mm175 seemed big enough when I bought it now its not. Running .035 solid wire .25 material is slow going and punishes the welder. Would definitly buy the 211/212 of the ones listed here.Millermatic 252millermatic 175miller 300 Thunderboltlincoln ranger 250smith torcheslots of bfh'sIf it dont fit get a bigger hammer
Reply:Have you used a welding machine? Burn some steel, wire or rod.You can over analize (noticed I spelled it with anal) all you want. You could even scare yourself enough to not buy a welding machine. A small 120v mig has it's place, I use the hell out of mine. I also have a 350lx tig, mm200, nice td cutmaster plasma....etc.Get off the computer and weld something.Tim Beeker.
Reply:Originally Posted by jbmprodswelders are like cell phones. how many people have bought a cell phone with a small minute plan and said i am only going to use or need it for an emergency? well with a welder some body buys a mig welder and says i only need it for thin stuff and anything thicker i will stick weld it. before you know it your paying through the nose for cell phone calls. with a mig welder you push it to the limits and beyond because you scrimped on buying a bigger one. before you know it you wind up laying out the price for the better mig and in the long run you wound up spending half or more again than what you would have spent had you just bit the bullet and got the better one the first time around. kind of like buying a Volkswagen for you and your wife and 3 small kids. works know but when the kids are a little older you have to consider strapping the smallest kid to the ski rack on the roof or buy a mini van. buy the biggest one first because your needs will grow!!!
Reply:Wow, a lot of helpful discussion here    Just so no one frets about whether I'll be back later whining that I didn't get the right one....I will be buying a decent starter, and the purchase is already in the works for a MM211....I know it aint gonna weld everything I want it to, but, it'll help a lot more than what I have now    Anyone know if JB Weld can be used to fabricate a bumper?  <<<<sarcasm because that's what I have now
Reply:Generally its this:  buy as much as you can with a welder. You cant really have too much, but you can have too little. You know? There are some downsides to larger machines but they are worth it.HTP Invertig 201Lincoln Idealarc SP250Miller 180 AC StickBy farmall:They should have held the seagull closer to the work, squeezing evenly for best deposition.
Reply:the theory goes that 1 amp is needed to "weld" steel  1 thousandth thick..all those are onepass  ratings.(.but they seem wrong..the miller 212 is not gonna onepass steel .375" thick.)..in other words the machine can weld the  bead  in one pass .in the real world, usually the bead is built up. so a stick welder that is rated at 200 amps can theoretically make a bead and penetrate into steel .2 inches thick..but it can weld 3/4" or thicker steel together with full penetration with a buildup process..unless you are in a production mode  the onepass rating is not the whole picture..
Reply:Originally Posted by farmshopYou cant use amps you dont have. My mm175 seemed big enough when I bought it now its not. Running .035 solid wire .25 material is slow going and punishes the welder. Would definitly buy the 211/212 of the ones listed here.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI had the same experience with my Lincoln 175 plus...  for stick you may have a similar experience for DC current welding.   For example a Buzz Box does 225AC but only 125 DC.