welding

I'm new to welding but do okay with just an AC stick. My brother in law had no where to use it, so it's semi-permanently mine. I love it for anything bigger than sheet metal. My neighbor has a 110 flux core mig and although you can weld sheet metal I've never seen a nice looking weld come from it. Lots of splatter and boogers. Just an observation from watching tv, the guys on american chopper and such shows make welding with mig and gas look like childs play. Sounds like a good combination.

Paul

 

I use a 110v Campbell Housefield at home and I like it. I think it's getting a bad rap here. Yes, every so often you'll booger a weld if the surface isn't spotless, but nothing a grinder and paint won't cure. I don't think there is anything on a jeep that I couldn't weld with it.

I would like the bottle, but it hasn't been that big of an inconvenience. My .02

 

YA dont need to go to welding school get a book. Its easy all you have to worry about is keep a small arc as close to it as you can without it sticking. Listen for the sound of scramling eggs on the stove if it sounds like that you have settings right. get some metal the size of what you will be welding and practice. Usually it tells you on the welder what your settings should be for the thickness you will be welding.If your beads are to thick lower the wirespeed or turn up the heat setting alot hgas to do with how fast your travel is. Do a search on the web for how to mig weld you will find all you need to know then the rest is just practice. I suggest you only weld on a flat surface at first as welding uphill takes a little practice to get the bead to travel up.I hope ya made some sense out this as I am not good at explaining this particular issue

 

I am a aviation certified welder certified in GTAW (tig) MIG , ARC and Oxyfuel, and silver brazing. I am certified to weld anything from steel to inconel,hasteloy, titanium and most other rere metals used in aviation. I just wanted you to know my background and competance level before reading my advice. I agree with most of the infornmation posted here. Dont be discouraged from the small 110 units if you are not doing major structural repairs, and then you can still use one if used properly. they have a smaller duty cycle so it means resting them more. Of course the bigger cycle 220 units will work easier on a broader range, but for sheetmetal the 110 will do fine. I recommend getting a unit that has all the equiptment to use a sheilding gas , it helps out on the bigger stuff, where flux core wire doesnt get the same advantages.Look at your needs and make a decision based on what most of your welding wil be. I use a 220 arc welder for everything from exhaust pipe to frame repairs. But the mig is easier to use for the novice on smaller gauge stuff.Please dont anyone think I am a know it all or trying to condemn anyone, or their welding sjkills as I mentioned the novice welder earlier.I know several self taught welders that are great at it. It just takes practice. I hope this infornmatio helps.

 

I have that same welder with the cover gas. I really like it. It's 2002 model. I'm glad I bought it.

 

I also bought this Small Running Gear/Cylinder Rack.

http://www.millerwelds.com/products/mig/millermatic_135/accessories.php

The top one.

 

even if you are using a smaller welder, and you feel like you might not get the greatest penetration on something over 1/4 inch. Bevel the edges so that you can penetrate a little further, and lay a few passes on it.

Rio

 

I'm fortunate since my father in law keeps his millermatic 135 in my garage so I have that and my miller thunderbolt ac/dc at my disposal. my experience is if I have to do something structural like frame welding, roll cage, etc I use the stick and get good solid welds that I don't worry about. if it's sheet metal or thinner stuff I use the mig with great result. I do find the mig with solid core and gas is a major step better than any of the flux core but I don't want to get into a p'ing contest over it... My buddy kept a hobart 210 with a bottle in my garage for a couple months and I'd use that for the same structural stuff I use the stick for and not worry about it but it's an expensive welder...

 

I have a Hobart Mig with gas, a little tip for welding up holes. I have a piece of Brass 1/4 thick that I put behind behind the hole then weld it up, the weld will not stick to the brass. when done remove the brass block and grind it down, works good. Dan

 

Don't discount a rental unit if you don't have much to do. It's great to own alot of tools but sometimes it's good to rent when you don't have the funds to buy.

 

Nice tip Dan. I'll use it!

 

Dan,
I use a peice of Alum. behind the hole it pulls the heat out to help keep warping down and the weld does not stick to it either. The peice I use is about 1/2"tk because that is what I have laying around.